Wanted: Ideas for re-using CO2

The Climate-KIC flagship programme EnCO2re (Enabling CO2 re-use) working for sustainable production and circular economy has launched its first open call for proposals to the public. This call is aimed at projects that will begin in September (or earlier) and produce meaningful results within 2016. The selection process is two part, but to take part you need to be quick as the first submission deadline is 27 May.

EnCO2re will add new workstreams in the second half of 2016 and is looking for:

• Projects related to any element of the CO2 value chain, from capture to conversion, and logistics
• Organisations that bring industrial and/or start-up perspectives with pathways to commercialisation
• Technologies and demonstrations for CO2-based products, especially intermediates and polymers
• Business-model innovations that support the development of a CO2 re-use value chain
• Other innovations, including incentives, that advance progress toward large-scale re-use of CO2

Two phase
The call is structured in two phases. The first phase requests a short Expression of Interest using a common template by 27 May.  In the EnCO2re Call profile you can find more details on the call.  You will find some help and guidelines for completing the EoI here.  Successful ideas that meet the call interests and requirements will be invited soon after 10 June to submit a full proposal by 1 July.

Because the programme is an open innovation programme and would like to be as inclusive as possible, all parties interested in joining enCO2re are urged to submit an EoI, even if they do not have a project that can begin in 2016.  All submissions should be emailed to Ted Grozier at Climate-KIC.

About EnCO2re
EnCO2re is an innovation and market development programme for CO2 re-use. Their vision is a balanced and prosperous market for re-used CO2, beginning with a focus on polymers and chemical intermediates. Their ambition is large-scale CO2 re-use through the establishment of a CO2 value chain.

EnCO2re was co-initiated by Climate-KIC and industry partner Covestro, forming a consortium of 12 European partners from industry and research sectors. The programme has a comprehensive approach towards CO2 re-use and comprises activities in technology development, product development, technology acceptance, ecological assessments and market development.

EnCO2re is pronounced like the French word encore, meaning “again,” in reference to the re-use of CO2 the programme aims to enable.

The initial open innovation consortium consists of 12 European partners: Bayer Technology Services, Chalmers University of Technology, Covestro, Imperial College London, Johanneberg Science Park, Engie Labs, Mines ParisTech, RWTH Aachen, TU Berlin, TU Delft, University of Copenhagen and Wuppertal Institut.

Energy Fest in Amsterdam

From May 24 to 28 the Startup Fest Europe is taking place in the Netherlands under the patronage of Prince Constantijn van Oranje. This exciting cluster of events is designed to connect innovative talent and their breakthrough technologies with investors and corporate innovators worldwide. As part of this event on Thursday 26 May Shell, DSM, Eneco, Rockstart, Sungevity and Salesforce are hosting an Energy Fest at the Shell Technology Centre in Amsterdam. The event will explore how innovators are tackling the biggest energy transition challenges.

Energy Fest promises to be an exciting day of energy technology innovation featuring breakthrough solutions and disruptive technologies in the start-up ecosystem. Energy Fest will experiment with taking collaboration and creativity to a new level that can tackle our current energy challenges and tap into new opportunities. The event offers accelerated match-making between venture capital investors, corporate innovation programmes and start-up companies to stimulate collaboration as well as ‘bigger picture’ insights from government and thought leaders.

If you are a start-up, corporate, venture capitalist or someone with an interest in energy innovation then you should attend Energy Fest to hear leading experts speak at the Energy Fest conference and panels. The speakers include Maros Sevkovic (Vice President of the European Commission responsible for the Energy Union policy), Bertrand van Ee (CEO of the Climate KIC), and Rob van Leen (Chief Innovation Officer at DSM).

Connect and collaborate
The event will allow delegates to connect and collaborate with great thinkers from Silicon Valley and The Netherlands, to explore our Start-up Village displaying a multitude of exciting energy start-ups and enjoy facilitated matchmaking between start-up companies, venture capitalists, corporates, start-up accelerators and potential customers. You can also discover the corporate innovation support programmes available to innovators and start-ups at Shell, DSM, Salesforce and Eneco.

You can also attend our start-up pitch competitions. Energy Fest will hold an open pitch competition focusing on three areas ripe for innovation:

• Renewable Energy & Storage
• IT in Energy, and
• Oil & Gas

If you are a start-up looking for funding and acceleration then you cannot afford to miss this opportunity to present your ideas to a broad audience of potential investors and an expert jury.

How to register
Attending the Energy Fest is free of charge, but there are only a limited number of places available. To reserve your place, please click on this link to register today!