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QRDI & Milaha New $5,000,000 Industry Innovation Challenge – Harbour Craft Electrification
NineSigma is happy to be launching the QRDI and Milaha’s Harbour Craft Electrification Innovation Challenge.
Qatar, Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council is excited to announce the launch of the $5m Industry Innovation Challenge in collaboration with Milaha, a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering open innovation on a broader scale.
The Industry Innovation Challenge (IIC) presents a unique opportunity for companies to contribute to breakthrough solutions and technologies addressing a specific innovation contest and aligned with a larger mission. This program provides up to $1m for 5 companies proposing technology-based solutions for specific challenges.
Each Challenge will be championed by a main partner, potentially joined by support from government entities and large local enterprises (LLEs).
What is the challenge?
Design and construction of next generation harbour craft: QRDI / Milaha believes that using HDPE in ship design and construction will provide opportunities for electrification and enhance the overall sustainability of the global shipping industry. In general, construction time would be reduced, allows flexibility in design and offers scalability. We invite participants with proven track record and experience in HDPE ship design and construction to submit proposals for the transfer of technology to local shipyard for the design and construction of the next generation of harbour craft in Qatar.
Integrated Central Information System (ICIS) for Maritime Operations: NineSigma, representing QRDI / Milaha, invites participants to submit proposals for the prize challenge on Integrated Central Information System (ICIS) for Maritime Operations. QRDI / Milaha believes that using a centralized digital platform will enhance the overall efficiency and sustainability of the global shipping industry. We invite participants to submit proposals for an Innovative ICIS that can streamline operations, increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance safety, making shipping more sustainable and cost-effective.
Energy harvesting and charging system for electric harbour craft:
NineSigma, representing QRDI / Milaha, invites participants to submit proposals for Energy harvesting and charging system for electric harbour craft prize challenge. Current harbour crafts utilize fossil fuels to power their systems but in the next generation boats, these will be replaced with electric powered drive systems. Recently, advances in battery and energy storage have enabled high powered systems to be commercialized for boats and small ships. QRDI / Milaha are seeking novel next generation charging network developments for onshore or offshore combined with battery storage systems for maritime applications. which can meet one of the following use cases.
- Onshore – Portable fast charging station with marinized charging system.
- Offshore – Floating energy harvesting and fast charging station.
We invite participants to submit proposals for innovative, environmentally friendly energy storage, harvesting and charging systems for marine applications.
A QRDI/Milaha scientific prize of up to $1,000,000 each will be awarded for up to 5 teams across all 3 challenges, by Q3 2024. Moreover, QRDI / Milaha can potentially support collaborations with one or more of the Laureate teams to develop the selected scientific proposal(s), with the aim to transform them into market-tailored technologies.
If you’d like more details about the challenge and on how to participate, please visit the challenge page here:
Proposals must be submitted online by the 23rd of May.
If you have any questions please reach out directly to: biserni@ninesigma.com
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+32 16 24 42 80
europe@ninesigma.com
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