About the Organizer :

Founded in 31 December 2007, GrDF is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ENGIE, covers all the activities of natural gas distribution in France. A recent organisation that is developing fast, GrDF can boast 60 years of history with the French people through Gaz de France. A strategic player in the energy market, GrDF operates on behalf of suppliers, industry partners, local authorities and customers.

Protecting the environment, local development and meeting the needs of households, businesses and communities are at the heart of our activities. Natural gas distribution is a public service mission to which we devote all our energy.

For more details please see: Company Details

 Problem Statement:

Context:

Natural gas is a high-performance energy source for all domestic applications. It provides comfortable heating (uniform and all-enveloping), unparalleled cooking, very efficient water heating (instantaneous, continuous and unlimited) and offers its users highly competitive value for money despite recent price rises.

GrDFs key natural gas solution today is the gas boiler. Whether used on its own or in combination with renewable energy sources or other solutions, the condensing gas boiler accounts for over 90% of current gas solutions.

But natural gas is experiencing heavy criticism for these uses. It appears old-fashioned, and the technological changes that have occurred are unfamiliar or completely unknown – the image of the gas boiler has remained unchanged since the 1970s. Customers have little knowledge of or interest in innovations in boiler design.

Even its name does not help the product stand out – the use of the word "boiler" and its standard shape (a white box) get in the way of understanding certain technological advances.

Your mission:

The diagnosis is simple: the natural gas boiler needs a revolution!

Would you and your team like to test your ability to develop an identity for a forgotten product? Are you drawn to the themes of innovation, design thinking, new technology and strategic positioning? Then this challenge is for you! Imagine the boiler of tomorrow. This new natural gas solution will provide the answers to its users current and future needs, at the very least in terms of heating and domestic hot water!

The only constraint is that your solution must fit into one of these two categories:

For more details please see: Competition Problem Statement

 Rewards:

There are amazing prizes to win!

1st Prize : Each member of the team reaching the first step of the podium of each category will win a €2,000 trip to an innovative city! (for each participant of the 2 categories, thus 6 trips max)

2nd Prize : Each member of the team reaching the second step of the podium of each category will win a €1,000 trip to one of the world capital (for each participant of the 2 categories, thus 6 trips max)

3rd Prize : Each member of the team reaching the third step of the podium of each category will win a €800 worth trip to an European capital! (for each participant of the 2 categories, thus 6 trips max)

For more details please see: Competition Rewards

 Timeline:
11th October 2015 - 8th November 2015

 Deliverables:

A. Team Formation and Project Submission:

• A first proposal of 3 slides PowerPoint or PDF will help the jury preselect the most relevant projects.
• Thus, we ask you to upload a pre-selection file presenting your ideas. You will have to indicate which category you have chosen. Then, 30 teams will be selected!
• Download the document below (as a Key document attachment)
• This file must be uploaded before November 9, 2015, 11:59pm

B. Going Deeper into the Project:

• If you are selected for the second step, you must upload a 15 slides project in PowerPoint or PDF format on your team space.
• The file format is free, but any intent to add relevant visual elements will be highly valued. For example, you can add to your file a video demo, a graphic model, sketches of your project or any deliverable that you think can be relevant.
• During this step, GrDF experts will help you to detail your project and give you advice to develop it. You will be able to communicate with them through the platform.
• We also ask you to present your team by including your résumés in appendix. Your project must be discovered and understood in less than 15 slides.
• The deliverable must be uploaded before January 3, 11:59pm.

 Rules and Guidelines:

Challenge Timeline:

Selection criteria:

• Creativity and innovation of the proposal in relation to integration, uses, services, business model
• Relevance and interest of the proposal: adaptation to actual and new needs of customers
• Feasibility of implementation

For more details please see: Competition Rules

 Key Documents:
Download