Efacec has achieved a significant milestone by being the only Portuguese company selected in the first round of the European PITCCH project. This recognition highlights Efacec’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
Key Takeaways
- Efacec was the only Portuguese company selected in the first round of the European PITCCH project.
- The project aims to promote collaboration between large companies and SMEs/start-ups for innovative solutions.
- Efacec’s selected challenge is the "Smart Digital Transformer Management Solution."
- The project is funded by Horizon 2020.
- Efacec’s innovation is recognized internationally.
The European PITCCH Project
The European PITCCH (Pan-European Open Innovation Network for Corporate Challenges in advanced technologies) project is an initiative funded by Horizon 2020. It aims to foster effective collaboration between large companies, known as technology seekers, and SMEs and start-ups, referred to as technology providers. The goal is to develop innovative and technologically differentiated solutions.
Efacec’s Selected Challenge
Efacec’s challenge, the "Smart Digital Transformer Management Solution," was one of seven selected by a consortium that includes the Technology Centers INL – International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, TNO – Innovation for Life, Steinbeis 2i GmbH, RINA, and the agency Vitamina. This solution is a disruptive digital asset management system for transformers and involves a collaborative effort between Efacec’s Service, Automation, and Transformers business areas, along with the start-up IZUM.
Project Development Stages
The project is currently in its final development stage, with an Alfa prototype undergoing testing. Additionally, a Beta prototype is being developed to pre-industrialize the solution. This Beta prototype will be tested in a laboratory setting before being installed in an industrial environment.
Efacec’s Commitment to Innovation
Ricardo Ribeiro, head of R&D and Efacec’s Digital Asset Management project, expressed pride in the company’s achievement. He emphasized that this milestone attests to Efacec’s commitment to aggregating innovation. The goal for 2022 is to launch the first version of the industrialized product.
Open Innovation Platform
Efacec’s participation in the PITCCH project aligns with its commitment to open innovation and collaborative work. In April 2021, the company launched the hop.in platform – Home of Open Innovation. This platform has attracted the interest and involvement of various entrepreneurs, start-ups, researchers, SMEs, customers, employees, and partners, who have participated in co-creating solutions in the areas of energy, mobility, and environment.
About Efacec
Efacec operates as a supplier of solutions and integrated EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) systems and O&M (Operations & Maintenance) services partner. The company has a comprehensive presence in the Energy, Mobility, and Environment value chains and is active in strategic markets such as Europe, the United States, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, the Maghreb, and Sub-Saharan Africa.
