Energy is under constant evolution. New ways for handling it and of making it more accessible to people are part of the new global challenges undertaken by Enel Distribution.
As a leading company in the power sector of the country, we have centered our industrial strategy in driving innovation towards new horizons. The promotion of digital economy is one of those paths. That is why, along with the Digital Country Foundation, we have created the innovation Challenge: Solutions for Intelligent Meters, in the Metropolitan Region.
The “Enel Distribution Innovation Challenge 2016” took place with the idea of empowering and giving visibility to startups and small size companies all over the country in order for them, hand in hand with intelligent meters, to become part of the search for new energy solutions and uses.
The application process began on September 28, 2016, and the call was answered by 22 projects, whose mission was the incorporation of an application addressed to the Enel Distribution customers. Following three months of applications and presentations, there are concrete results to be seen. The Enel Distribution innovation committee defined Zembia company and its proposal “Turn on: Turn lights off, turn your community on” as the winner, who shall have six months to work in the development of an application for intelligent meters for Enel Distribution Chile, after being notified as the winners.
‘Prende’ (Turn on – note of the translator) seeks to generate a new experience for the customers of Enel Distribution by means of an application. The idea is based upon presenting the Intelligent Metering information in a clearer and simpler way; including tips for energy efficiency, online information regarding the consumption of each customer (by sending notifications) and alarms for supply interruptions.
Rodolfo Redlich is the co-founder of Zembia and one of the creators of ‘Prende’. Four years ago he started developing engineering projects with two other partners, but he tells us they wanted to do something different, something innovative and less conventional. That is the reason why they applied for the Enel Distribution innovation challenge, defied to bring technology closer to people.
“We place a lot of emphasis upon the issue of value. For ideas to be born from the people and for the people”. Rodolfo Redlich, co-fundador de Zembia.
For ‘Prende’ to become a reality, Zembia will count with the complete backing by Enel Distribution, which shall grant a 25 million peso budget.
In this way, by mid 2017, the Enel Distribution customers counting with intelligent meters in their homes will be able to download for free the application in their mobile devices with Android or iOS systems. A subtle change, but which along with technology and innovation, may probably contribute to simplify the livelihood of Chilean families somewhat more.