Phase 1, call for applications 2016: Energy
Deadline: 2 May 2016 19:00 CET
Grand Solutions: Typically 2-5 years; DKK 5-30m
The budget in 2016 is approx. DKK 70m
Innovation Fund Denmark invests in the field of energy in facilitating an efficient transformation towards an environmentally sustainable energy system with minimal impact on the climate. This includes (i) incremental improvements of existing technologies and solutions and (ii) development of
novel technologies, solutions, services and business models.
Purpose
Innovation Fund Denmark's (IFD) objective for its investments is to facilitate a financially attractive
transition of the energy sector from black to green energy and its attendant economic growth and
increased employment nationwide in Denmark. Denmark has a tradition for open collaboration between private-sector enterprises and research centres. IFD's investment strategy for the field of energy will support this by both enabling Danish energy companies to retain market position and funding
innovative business concepts.
Investment areas
IFD invests in much of the development process from research to development and implementation
of new technologies and solutions. IFD's focus areas are:
Radical innovation: New energy technologies, solutions and materials with high global market potential:
• Energy efficient utilisation of renewable and fossil energy resources.
• Flexible energy consumption.
• Cost-efficient energy storage.
• Solutions for future smart energy systems.
• New services and business models for future energy infrastructure including aspects of consumer behaviour.
• The conversion of electricity generated from renewable energy sources into transport fuels,
chemicals and other high-value products.
• Technologies and solutions reducing the negative impact from the use of fossil fuels.
Incremental innovation: IFD also invests in incremental enhancements to existing solutions in order to
retain and/or reinforce Denmark's industrial strengths and thereby sustain the competitiveness of
Danish enterprises within:
• Reduction of investment costs and operating costs in the production, distribution and use of
energy.
• Smart energy systems including flexible energy consumption.
INNOVATIONSFONDEN / ØSTERGADE 26 A, 4. SAL / 1100 KØBENHAVN K
T: +45 6190 5000 / W: INNOVATIONSFONDEN.DK / E: KONTAKT@INNOFOND.DK
CVR. NR.: 29 03 56 95
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Technologies, solutions and services for the intelligent energy system.
Energy efficient and environmentally friendly energy technologies.
Solutions extending the life time of existing energy infrastructure investments.
Conversion of bioresources into liquid transport fuels, power and heat (bioenergy)
Innovation through interdisciplinary alliances:
• Similar to the energy sector the transport sector is facing a transition towards reduced use of
fossil fuels. Consequently IFD invests in interdisciplinary projects facilitating the use of nonfossile based fuels in the transport sector. In this context IFD invest in technologies and solutions facilitating economically sustainable conversions of bioresources and electricity into
transport fuels compatible with existing fuel infrastructure.
• Materials technology constitutes a major element in many new energy technologies, such as
photovoltaic, fuel cells and energy storage technologies. IFD invests in new material science
solutions when they are a key element in the new energy technology.
• IFD invest in ICT solutions and power electronics as they have proven to be increasingly important for the smart energy system.
• Projects realising the full potential of buildings as an active element in the smart energy system will typically be based on interdisciplinary collaborative work.
Assessment criteria
IFD invests in innovative projects with well-defined goals and objectives and which meet unmet market demands. The projects must be able to substantiate a market potential in the short or long term.
It is not required that the project lead to a commercial product as long as the innovation is brought a
step closer to commercialisation. The projects must be clear on the value-creation offered by the new
innovation.
For projects in the early development phases important evaluation criteria are technological and scientific originalities and competences.
For projects closer to commercialisation, the emphasis is on implementation, insight into the market
and the capacity to continuously adapt to the prevailing conditions in a dynamic.
Furthermore, it is important to position the project correctly in the value chain; that the partner/customer is clearly defined, and that the value proposition is clearly described. Eligible projects
are expected to be described in relation to both existing and new competing technologies and must
be able to demonstrate a competitive advantage. Preference will be given to projects whose competitive strengths is expressed in terms like:
• Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) or return on investment period and design lifetime.
• Energy balance/energy density/storage capacity
• Energy conversion efficiency
• Price per kWh, price per Liters, etc.
It is important that the project is realistic in assessing the sector requirements to reliability and robustness.
IFD will always assess whether the scientific and managerial expertise is present, and whether the
organisation and the project execution strategy have been clearly described.
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In addition to these assessment criteria, applicants should consult "Strategy and General Criteria for
Grand Solutions"
The allocation of funds is based on National Budget 2016 and Innovation Fund Denmark's Investment
Strategy for Energy.
Contacts
Sune Dalgaard Ebbesen
Phone: 6190 5018
Email: sune.dalgaard.ebbesen@innofond.dk
Niels Langvad
Phone: 6190 5034
Email: Niels.Langvad@innofond.dk
Klaus Rosenfeldt Jakobsen
Phone: 6190 5041
Email: klaus.jakobsen@innofond.dk
Anitha Sharma
Phone: 6190 5048
Email: anitha.sharma@innofond.dk
Kirsten Klüver
Phone: 6190 5044
Email: kirsten.kluver@innofond.dk
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Strategy and General Criteria for Grand Solutions
Innovation Fund Denmark's general strategy
Vision
Entrepreneurship, partnership and an international outlook thrive so that ideas, knowledge and technologies may be translated into viable businesses and innovative solutions for the benefit of society.
Purpose
Innovation Fund Denmark's purpose is to invest in advances in science and technology, including advanced technology, in order thereby to boost research and facilitate innovative solutions for the benefit of economic growth and employment in Denmark. IFD shall focus on supporting solutions to specific societal challenges and strengthening private-sector research and innovation initiatives, including
within small and medium-sized enterprises.
What do we invest in?
IFD invests in projects which in the short or long term result in the implementation of new technologies and processes, or which combine established technologies and processes innovatively and productively. The projects shall create financial and societal value in Danish enterprises and for publicsector beneficiaries within central, regional and local government. IFD covers the entire value chain
from research through development to implementation.
IFD does not invest in projects for which no beneficiary exists, that is, in projects which end when IFD
investment ceases. A beneficiary might be an end user of the innovation, but might also be a publicsector or private-sector investor who is willing to invest in the project after the IFD's commitment has
come to an end.
Interdisciplinary projects
IFD readily invests in interdisciplinary research alliances, since experience indicates that this is the
greatest potential source of innovation.
Assessment criteria
IFD generally assesses applications with respect to the quality, impact and innovative value of the
proposed projects in relation to current knowledge and practice in Denmark and internationally. This
should be viewed in relation to the IFD's purposes, the given subject area's strengths and the specific
societal challenges it addresses, and the project's significance for growth and employment in Denmark. IFD gives preference to private-public partnerships (PPPs), but also considers projects in which a
partnership between private-sector entities or public-sector entities is a natural constellation.
More specifically, in assessment of Phase 1 applications, emphasis will be placed on the project's scientific, technical and/or societal focus, and commercial and/or societal value. In assessment of Phase
2 applications, importance will be attached to the feasibility and execution of proposed projects.
Note
Note that the individual thematic calls may set out a theme-specific vision, purpose, strategy and
description of relevant theme-specific assessment criteria.
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Deadlines
The deadline for submission of Phase 1 applications to Innovation Fund Denmark is 7:00 pm on 2 May
2016. Phase 1 applicants can expect to be notified of the IFD's decision in mid-June. The deadline for
submission of Phase 2 applications is 19:00 CET on 15 August 2016. Phase 2 applicants can expect to
be notified of the IFD's decision in late October.
Investment profile
IFD typically invests in projects of 2 to 5 years' duration. The maximum investment amount is specified in the theme-specific calls.
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