E.ON Innovation – Crowdsourcing for Green Ideas When did you last have this great big idea that made you think “it’s great but I cannot transform it into reality”? We all get our eureka! moments but the majority of big companies are too busy with their stuff to actually listen to what people have to say not to mention putting some of their ideas to the test. E.ON is prepared to listen by launching a new crowdsourcing competition called E.ON Innovation. This green initiative coincides with the episodes of the new show Home of the Future that runs on Channel 4.
Important Challenges
Each week a new challenge will be given. For example, the first challenge is leisurely named “Rest” – How could a home ‘learn’ about your energy use in order to create a more restful environment. We all strive for a cosy living space that helps us relax. Can you customise lighting, heating, ventilation and air humidity controls so that it creates a different atmosphere depending on your current requirements? Can it be done in a way that it saves energy?
If you think you have an answer to these questions, join the E.ON innovation. The next four challenges will be based on the themes of work, play, food and wellbeing.
I just had an idea – can you introduce multiple motion sensors in the rooms so that the house “knows” whether you’re sitting and relaxing or moving about? It could adjust the lighting mood, heating, airflow and humidity according to your activity. Wouldn’t that be great? Feel free to run with this idea – I’m not taking part, however, I’m sure I will join in with comments on existing E.ON Innovation ideas. You can do too.
Become an Expert
There are three ways to participate: submit your ideas, vote for others’ ideas or add your comments. It’s important to get involved – the expert panel of the E.ON Innovation will look at the best ideas voted by the community.
Crowdsourcing projects have proven to be very successful in the past. Scientists, researchers and engineers may be very good at inventing things (or overcomplicating things that someone else has invented) but there’s no denying that a first-hand experience can be invaluable when it comes to solving small challenges at home or at work. So eventually, a housewife who spends a lot of time doing her day-to-day chores might strike a wonderful idea of how to make the home a better place or how to do things in a more sustainable manner.
Prizes up for Grabs
The competition is open to the UK residents (except Channel Islands), aged over 18. As for the prizes, there are packs of home energy makeover up for grabs. A £2,000 worth makeover will be offered to a winner of the five separate challenges, plus a £10,000 home energy makeover to one of the five winners.
The best ideas will be put into good use and taken into production by E.ON providing the commercial assessment finds the idea feasible. It’s a great chance to see your green idea being transformed into reality. Not sure where to start? Watch Home of the Future on Sunday evenings on Channel 4 – I’m sure it will provide plenty of inspiration.
