Following through on its commitment to combat climate change, renewable energy leader Iberdrola is back with its successful PERSEO Startup Challenges to drive the energy transition, as well as the decarbonization and electrification of the economy. In addition, Iberdrola is committed to protecting and acting for nature and is strengthening its commitment with the launch of its Biodiversity Plan 2030. This plan sets out the mechanisms to achieve the ambitious target of having a net positive impact on biodiversity by 2030. In this context, it launches the latest Iberdrola Startup Challenge: Oxygenation of Turbined Water Flows in hydroelectric power plants.
Background to the Iberdrola Oxygenation of Turbined Water Flows Startup Challenge
Iberdrola’s commitment to the environment and to the decarbonization of society entails maximizing the generation of renewable energy and thus a greater energetic use of water masses. Currently, Iberdrola has an installed hydraulic generation capacity of more than 10,000 MW and 4,500 MW of pumped-storage capacity.
Its hydroelectric facilities are located in river basins, the vast majority of which have defined environmental requirements for each waterbody that must be complied with.
One of the requirements of the ecological flows is to maintain the level of dissolved oxygen in the water at parameters that maintain the essential processes of healthy river ecosystems on which protected species and habitats depend and thus ensure good ecological conditions of water bodies.
Are you developing solutions to increase dissolved oxygen in hydroelectric water flows?
During certain periods of the year, the waterbodies located at the level of the intake structure of some plants, do not reach the required oxygenation values in the restitution. This can lead to situations in which turbinating is prevented and the consequent lack of renewable energy harnessing.
Iberdrola seeks solutions for the discharge of power plants, either to be adopted at the turbine discharge itself or already in the riverbed, that:
- Adapt to as wide a range of flow rates as possible from anoxic conditions.
- Maximize the concentration of dissolved oxygen to the usually required values in a watercourse.
- Are robust to sudden variations in flow during dam overflows.
- Enable harnessing renewable energy with continuous water flows.
What are the benefits of winning the Iberdrola Oxygenation of Turbined Water Flows Startup Challenge?
The prize will consist of signing a collaboration and proof of concept agreement with PERSEO and/or with any other relevant Iberdrola group company. Perseo and/or the relevant company will:
- Assume the costs of the collaboration and the proof of concept.
- Provide the winner with the necessary technical support to test the solution proposed, giving access to equipment & appliances.
- Gain access to infrastructure, high technology sites, and joint work areas.
- Provide the winner with a real environment and real data to test the solution.
If the assay or proof of concept is satisfactory, Perseo and/or the relevant company, directly or indirectly through another Iberdrola group company, may offer you the opportunity to scale up your solution by means of commercial agreements.
What’s more, PERSEO will consider investing in the participating company and/or the winner of the challenge.
Ready to Scale Your Solution with Iberdrola?
Iberdrola, through its PERSEO Startup Program, is looking for innovative startups to develop systems to increase the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the discharge of water in hydroelectric power plants, especially in situations where the turbined water does not reach the required values in the river.
The proposals will be classified into two categories, for which Iberdrola could define a base case in order to standardize the evaluation of the proposals:
- Category A: Actions on the hydraulic turbine circuit
- Category B: Actions on the tailrace or downstream watercourse
A team of experts from Iberdrola’s Renewables area will be responsible for selecting the innovative solution or solutions that best solve the problem.
Key Dates for the Oxygenation of Turbined Water Flows Startup Challenge
The deadline to submit your application for the challenge is on 14th May 2023.
After that, Iberdrola will evaluate the received applications and announce the winner(s) of the challenge by the end of July 2023. The evaluation criteria will be based on, among other factors:
- The maturity, reliability, and durability of the solution
- Ease of installation and maintenance
- Investment and operational costs
- Scalability of the solution for hydroelectric power plants
Why Work with Iberdrola on Your Pilot Project?
Iberdrola is no stranger to working with startups and emerging companies. Over the last two years, Iberdrola has launched over 20 Global Startup Challenges to address pressing issues in today’s energy networks. Iberdrola has also successfully run more than 80 pilots with startups since 2018.
The preservation of the planet and the well-being of people are priorities for Iberdrola. This principle also determines its entire business strategy and its business model. Therefore, in a scenario characterized by strong growth in global energy demand, Iberdrola is working to build a new energy model with nature and human beings at the center of sustainable development.
Ready to scale your innovative solution for increasing dissolved oxygen in hydroelectric water discharge with Iberdrola? Click here to apply!
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