Nature-inclusive Solutions for Offshore Wind | Iberdrola Startup Challenge

The Challenge

The preservation of the planet and the well-being of people are priorities for Iberdrola in determining 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 an energy model – with nature and human beings as a source of sustainable development.

In particular, Iberdrola is committed to integrating biodiversity conservation into decision-making, minimizing problems, and establishing programs to reverse and offset impacts. The significant expansion of the offshore wind pipeline puts Iberdrola in an optimal position when participating in auctions and tenders planned for the coming months in its new growth platforms for both projects in its existing pipeline and for new pipelines.

As one of the most innovative utility companies, Iberdrola is looking to integrate nature-inclusive design solutions into the offshore wind farm infrastructure to deliver a net-positive impact on biodiversity.

The focus is on habitats and species of conservation importance; however, it is recognized that promoting wider biodiversity gains could also result in significant benefits.

Focus Areas

In this context, Iberdrola, through its International Startup Program – PERSEO, invites high-quality innovative proposals that seek to develop, test, or monitor nature-inclusive solutions that could be implemented in an offshore wind farm environment. Your solutions could fall under one of these focus areas:

Scour Protection Solutions for Subsea Infrastructure & Cables, for example – the use of sustainable materials, tailored design that promotes marine biodiversity, seaweed planting, etc.

Modifications to Foundation Design to include spaces for nature – such as seal haul-out platforms, artificial reef structures, shellfish cages & more.

Reduction of Collision Risk from Wind Turbine Generators.

Blue Carbon Capture initiatives that promote ecosystem growth and healthy marine habitats alongside offshore wind developments.

Sensing & Monitoring Techniques and Equipment that allow tracking changes in the biodiversity and environment.

However, the challenge is open to all proposals.

So, if the proposal does not fit this case study, it will also be analyzed, provided that the competitive advantages of the proposal for a specific type of site are clearly explained.

Why Join?

Winning this Challenge will award you with signing a collaboration agreement for the development of a Proof-of-Concept (PoC). The PoC will be developed in collaboration with the technical specialists from Iberdrola Generation. Additionally, PERSEO covers the costs of the pilot activities and provides you with the necessary technical support, giving access to infrastructure and real data to test your solution.

Pilot Project

Sign a collaboration agreement with Iberdrola and/or PERSEO. The project costs are covered & you will get full technical support to test your solution.

New Clients

If the pilot project succeeds, Iberdrola and/or PERSEO will add your solutions to its service territory and relevant companies within the group.

Scaling

If the pilot succeeds, Iberdrola and/or PERSEO may offer you the opportunity to scale up your solution by means of commercial agreements.

Possible Investment

PERSEO, the risk capital vehicle of Iberdrola, might consider investing in the winner’s solution as well.

FAQs

See our responses to some of the most common questions or view our Terms & Conditions.

What is the background of this Challenge?

As one of the most innovative utility companies, Iberdrola is looking to integrate nature-inclusive design solutions into the offshore wind farm infrastructure to deliver a net-positive impact on biodiversity. The focus is on habitats and species of conservation importance; however, it is recognized that promoting wider biodiversity gains could also result in significant benefits.

In particular, Iberdrola is committed to integrating biodiversity conservation into decision-making, minimizing problems, and establishing programs to reverse and offset impacts. The significant expansion of the offshore wind pipeline puts Iberdrola in an optimal position when participating in auctions and tenders planned for the coming months in its new growth platforms for both projects in its existing pipeline and for new pipelines.

In this context, Iberdrola, through its International Startup Program – PERSEO, invites high-quality innovative proposals that seek to develop, test, or monitor nature-inclusive solutions that could be implemented in an offshore wind farm environment.

Why are Iberdrola and/or PERSEO the right partners for my company?

Iberdrola is no stranger to working with startups and emerging companies - over the last two years, the Group has launched over 18 Startup Challenges to address pressing issues in today's energy networks.

Moreover, working with Iberdrola presents a unique opportunity:

Winning this Challenge will award you with signing a collaboration agreement for the development of a Proof-of-Concept (PoC). The PoC will be developed in collaboration with the technical specialists from Iberdrola Generation.

Additionally, PERSEO covers the costs of the pilot activities and provides you with the necessary technical support, giving access to infrastructures and real data to test your solution.

Finally, PERSEO may consider investing in your solution!

What solutions are you looking for?

The focus is on habitats and species of conservation importance; however, it is recognized that promoting wider biodiversity gains could also result in significant benefits.

• Scour Protection Solutions for Subsea Infrastructure & Cables
• Modifications to Foundation Design
• Reduction of Collision Risk from Wind Turbine Generators
• Blue Carbon Capture Initiatives
• Sensing & Monitoring Techniques and Equipment

What are the Challenge's key benefits for me?

Your benefits include:

• Collaboration Agreement & Pilot Test: The prize for the winner consists of a collaboration and test agreement with PERSEO or any other Iberdrola group company. The group will support the cost of the pilot activities.

• Access-all-Areas: Iberdrola will provide the winner with all necessary technical support, as well as a site and real data to test the solution. This includes access to equipment, teams, infrastructure, high technology sites, and shared work areas.

• Scale Your Technology: If the pilot test is satisfactory, Iberdrola may offer the winner the opportunity to scale up the solution by adapting it through commercial agreements.

• Investment: What's more, PERSEO will consider investing in the participating company and/or the winner of the challenge.

What do I need to know about the Pilot Project?

The winner of the challenge will sign a partnership contract with Iberdrola and/or PERSEO and will be able to test their solution in a real environment.

For the collaboration of the pilot project, Iberdrola will:

• assume the costs of the collaboration and the proof of concept
• provide the necessary technical support to test the solution proposed
• give access to equipment, appliances, infrastructure, high technology sites, and joint work areas
• provide a real environment and real data to test the solution

The project will be developed in collaboration with technical specialists from the Iberdrola Generation group.

Can I submit more than one proposal?: You are welcome to submit more than one proposal, just make sure to submit a separate application form for each proposal.

When is the application deadline?: The application period for this challenge ends on 30 September 2022.

How will the applications be evaluated?

The following value propositions will be considered, among others:

• The maturity, reliability, and durability of the solution.
• Ease of installation and maintenance.
• Investment and operational costs.
• Scalability of the solution for this and other applications in the electricity sector.

Your proposals will be analyzed by experts from Iberdrola's Generation group.

Ready to Scale Your Sustainable Solutions for Offshore Wind Farms?

Thank you for your applications!

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The Challenge

Focus Areas