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Research and innovation

Horizon prize for a low carbon hospital

What the prize is, why it's needed, rules, how to apply, who to contact, latest news.

What is the prize

Horizon prize for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) installation in a hospital using 100% renewable energy sources will reward a hospital that has an innovative and perfectly integrated combined CHP installation within its premises. This installation has to use at least three different European renewable energy technologies, include energy storage component(s) and be able to provide 100% of the hospital's annual needs for energy consumption. In this context any renewable energy source is allowed.

Why this prize

In Europe, the integration and use of renewable energy in buildings for heat and power generation still faces unsolved technological problems linked to the security and reliability of energy supply and related costs. This is due to the intermittent nature of some renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind. The challenge is even greater in cases where a 100% security of energy supply is essential such as for hospitals. Installing this kind of integrated equipment in the ecosystem of a hospital would not only ensure the security of its energy supply, but it would also raise public awareness of the integration of renewable energies in everyday life. The prize also aims to mobilise and enhance private and public investments for the replication of similar solutions in Europe and worldwide.

This prize contributes to the Energy Union priority to make the EU the world number one in renewable energy and lead the fight against global warming.

Challenge

The development of an innovative renewable energy solution integrating several technologies into one energy system in a hospital, while ensuring a 100% secure energy supply.

Schedule

The contest has been launched and you can apply until 3 April 2019.

Rules and guidance

Who can join the contest?

The contest will be open to all legal entities (including natural persons) or groups of legal entities regardless of its place of establishment, that own or operate a hospital, in whose premises the application will be installed.

How will your application be evaluated?

Exclusion criteria foreseen in the article 139(2) 3rd subparagraph of the Financial Regulation will apply.

Essential award criteria:
As a minimum, the combined heat and power system integrating at least three different European renewable energy technologies and with an innovative energy storage component has to annually generate at least 2 000 000 kilowatt-hour and be able to provide 100% of hospital's annual needs for energy consumption.

The prize will be awarded, after closure of the contest, to the entrant who in the opinion of the jury demonstrates a solution that best addresses the following essential cumulative criteria:

  • Reliability, easy maintenance and safety of operation
  • Energy savings and CO2 emission reduction
  • Minimal/no-invasive impact on premises
  • Low operation and maintenance costs, with cost of the energy produced lower or equal to costs of standard installation
  • Active public participation
  • Sustainability of the distribution chain when biomass is used as a feedstock supply

Read the detailed rules of the contest

Contact

For more information or any questions you might have please ec-lowcarbon-prizeatec [dot] europa [dot] eu (contact us)

Documents

13 JUNE 2016
Horizon prize for a low carbon hospital (Infographic)
English
(189.51 KB - PDF)
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