OUR AREAS OF INTEREST
GameChanger is looking for technologies that could transform the energy industry. In addition to our open call, GameChanger runs specific calls for proposals periodically. Preference is given to submitted ideas within these areas. Find out more about our past calls below.
RENEWABLES & ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Solar fuel innovations
Solar fuel innovations
As the urgency to reduce energy emissions increases and the cost of solar generation continues to decrease, there is great interest in the electrification of the energy system. Hydrogen fuel cells, in which chemical energy is converted to electricity, have shown promise but challenges remain regarding fuel transport and storage. We seek proposals that can demonstrate and bring to “proof-of-concept” novel approaches to convert renewable solar energy into electrons and/or molecules for use in liquid fuel engines without the overall net addition of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
Read more on Solar Fuel Call (PDF, 71 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
Grids of the Future
Grids of the Future
The electricity system is undergoing a transition as technology and innovation disrupt traditional models from generation to behind the meter. This transition involves rapidly evolving technologies, declining costs, and increased complexity. Three trends are converging to bring this transition to reality: electrification, decentralization, and digitalization. We seek proposals in all three areas, including but not limited to energy storage (grid and mobile) distributed storage and generation, microgrids, automated control, and smart metering.
Read more on Grids of Future Call (PDF, 119 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
Digitalization: Machine Learning
Digitalization: Machine Learning
Recent advances in Cloud adoption and Internet of Things (IoT) have led to an explosion of accessible data for decision making. Combined with improved computing power and ubiquity of API, integrated systems the opportunities for machine learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have never been better. We seek next stage AI proposals, focused on machine learning, with specific agent capabilities. We also welcome total new and step change approaches in ways of abstracting the right data from large data sources supporting many different data types.
Read more on Digitalization Call (PDF, 67 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
New Routes to Oxygenated Intermediates
New Routes to Oxygenated Intermediates
To produce oxygenated chemical intermediates from alternative feedstocks, such as natural gas and biomass to reduce CO2 footprint. We seek proposals that can demonstrate and bring to ‘proof of concept’ novel routes to oxygenated intermediates which have the potential to supplant existing commercially applied processes, based on superior carbon and energy efficiency.
Read more on New Routes to Oxygenated Intermediates (PDF, 86 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
OIL & GAS
Safety and Sustainability
Safety and Sustainability
With the current focus on CO2, it’s easy to overlook other important pollutants and greenhouse gasses. We seek competitive, environmentally responsible technologies and systems that will help minimize the overall emission footprint of oil and gas operations as well as novel inspection solutions that can autonomously image, quantify, and repair leaks and emissions.
Read more on Safety and Sustainability (PDF, 102 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
Novel wells technologies
Novel wells technologies
To meet the rising energy demand in the most socially, environmentally, and economically responsible way, we need to leverage the full power of innovation: the capacity for doing things differently and better than before. We are currently seeking novel well technologies that increase safety, reduce ultimate development costs, increase recovery, and minimize well intervention. The technology must be original and ground-breaking; have the potential for significant and tangible benefits beyond existing technologies; and have broad applicability across the industry.
Read more on Novel wells technology (PDF, 70 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
Real-time monitoring, control, and data analytics
Real-time monitoring, control, and data analytics
Digitalization will ultimately change the ways work is done, including in the Oil and Gas industry. This will include a combination of increased automation, process redesign, and leveraging the power of big data analytics. We seek novel approaches to providing secure closed loop systems for monitoring, control, diagnostics, and prognostics of oilfield operations. This will serve to provide monitoring and control of operational system health and integrity along with associated data analytics.
Read more on Real time monitoring, control and data analytics (PDF, 88 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
Integrated Geoscience
Integrated Geoscience
Detailed carbonate reservoir rock characterization is valuable for accurately propagating petro physical properties in reservoir models. However, there is often a high degree of lateral and vertical heterogeneity in carbonates, as well as complex pore geometries and multiscale porosities that make conventional approaches problematic. There is a gap in our ability to visualize, quantify, and classify all the porosity in carbonate rocks under reservoir conditions. We seek novel approaches that can make automated measurements on carbonates ranging from the nano- to macro-scale using non-traditional technologies potentially borrowed from other industries.
Read more on Integrated Geoscience (PDF, 107 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
Improved hydrocarbon recovery
Improved hydrocarbon recovery
Oil & gas reservoirs are becoming increasingly difficult to find and develop. Many current and future developments involve more and more complex recovery schemes, challenging fluids and reservoirs, and/or challenging environmental settings including deep-water locations. We seek novel technologies and systems to improve reservoir management and maximize recovery. This includes real-time subsurface sensing and control for oilfield operations that provide us with the ability to track reservoir sweep and well performance in real time for proactive decision making.
Read more on Improved hydrocarbon recovery (PDF, 91 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
Environment & Conservation – Water
Environment & Conservation – Water
Global water demand is predicted to increase significantly over the coming decades. Freshwater withdrawals have already been annually increasing by about 1% over the past three decades. Energy production and large industry account for about 15% and 5%, respectively. We seek safe, effective, affordable, and sustainable technologies and business models that address water scarcity, cleanup, and disposal challenges as well as unlocking value from wastewater.
Read more on Environment & Conservation (PDF, 86 kB)
Read more on Produced Water Value Extraction (PDF, 536 kB)
*This call is currently closed. Applicants will be notified on the outcomes of the review process.
