MNRE Opens ‘Startup Grand Challenge’ for Sustainable Energy Solutions

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has invited individuals, academic institutes, research labs or startups developing an innovative product, service or business model to come take part in the MNRE Startup Grand challenge. To participate, the submitted innovation should at least be a prototype and feasible for deployment.

The challenge marks the second such competition that MNRE has endorsed so far this month. The challenge’s main objective is energy security, energy access and reducing the carbon footprints of the national energy systems. As Renewable energy is gaining traction in the country’s energy mix, new avenues and space for improvement and innovation has opened up. The grand challenge seeks to explore a larger contribution of renewables in the areas of livelihood, water, health and innovations in products, services and business models.

MNRE wants to provide a ‘unique opportunity for startups and innovators to solve some key challenges’ which are being faced by in the renewable energy sector in India. For this, it has identified key problems which range from the innovative use of renewable energy for enhancing the quality of life to energy solutions for regions with difficult terrain.

The following are the problems open for entries:

1. Livelihood Application
i. Cost competitive and innovative renewable energy applications to enhance quality of life (cooking, lighting, potable water, healthcare etc.)

ii. Renewable energy application in agriculture

iii. Renewable energy applications to support SME’s and cottage industries

iv. Renewable energy solutions (technology, operational model et al) for application in difficult terrain

v. Renewable energy application for desalination and hence to extract potable water

2. Power System and Design
i. Renewable energy system integration in the grid

ii. Forecasting solutions

iii. Demand response & distributed energy resource management systems

iv. Energy trading and marketplaces

v. Internet of Things (IOT) for renewables including off-grid applications for optimising energy and its utilisation

3. Solar Energy
i. Solar rooftop solutions end to end delivery including platforms

ii. Improving efficiency of charge controllers

4. Wind Energy
i. Development of small wind turbines with wind potential of <4m/sec

ii. IoT for increasing energy extraction in the wind farms

5. Energy solutions for industrial processes in SMEs, mid to large-scale manufacturing units
process heat, power, cooling etc

6. Biomass and waste-to-energy supply chain for power & thermal generation
i. Biomass/agro-residue/municipality waste collection, processing, palletisation- complete value chain including biomass storage solutions
7. Mobility and Energy Storage
i. Renewable energy application in mobility – business models, products and market platforms

ii. Advanced energy storage application in decentralised off-grid and utility-scale renewable power projects

8. Any other solutions in renewable energy not mentioned above

The challenge will felicitate the winners with cash prizes:

1st – Rs.10,00,000

2nd – Rs.7,00,000

3rd – Rs.5,00,000

And recognition in the form of:

1. Selected applicants shall be provided the opportunity to exhibit their prototype during RE-INVEST 2019
2. MNRE will facilitate need-based incubation support

The last date for submission of your ideas is 1^st of September and participants can apply across multiple opportunity statements. The winners will be announced and awarded between 30th October 2019 – 2nd November 2019. If interested, click here