EIC Corporate Days with OMV Petrom: Exploring Innovative Energy Solutions
OMV Petrom and the European Innovation Council (EIC) organized the ‘EIC Corporate Days with OMV Petrom’ event on January 26-27 – the first one with a Romanian corporation. During the event, 22 European SMEs presented innovative solutions that address the goals of the climate agenda in energy production and distribution.
“The energy sector is going through a period of profound transformation and companies need to respond to both a constantly growing energy demand as well as to greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. We are interested in projects and ideas that could contribute to the energy transition,” Christina Verchere, CEO of OMV Petrom, stated.
Jean David Malo, director of the EIC and the SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), added: “This successful cooperation between OMV Petrom and the EIC is proof that Europe has the talent, inspiration and capacity to grow innovative companies with high impact solutions that make a positive difference in millions of people’s lives every day. We truly believe this EIC Corporate Day is a new great opportunity for all and another important landmark in the long-lasting collaboration with OMV Petrom that we highly appreciate, and which brings a great deal of business opportunities.”
The companies registered at EIC Corporate Days with OMV Petrom come from 15 European countries and applied to a call for innovative projects in the energy field, initiated by EIC in November last year. They were pre-selected out of more than 40 companies that submitted proposals in the initial call for projects. In the process of selecting the SMEs, the aim was that the proposed solutions should be ready to be implemented in the business area. The assessment process took into account the degree of digitalization and innovation as well as their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The participating SMEs had access to thematic trainings and presented the solutions in view of potential collaborations with OMV Petrom.
OMV Petrom’s areas of interest
The areas of interest for OMV Petrom include innovative energy storage solutions, circular economy technologies, new technologies for solar photovoltaic systems, carbon capture and storage projects and/or in combination with blue hydrogen production, non-classical geothermal solutions for the generation of energy and the production of turquoise hydrogen resulting from the pyrolysis of methane.
About the European Innovation Council
The European Innovation Council (EIC) supports top-class innovators, entrepreneurs, small companies and scientists with bright ideas and the ambition to scale up internationally.
The European Innovation Council is a key novelty of Horizon Europe and represents the most ambitious innovation initiative that Europe has taken, with a budget of €10.5 billion during 2021-2027. Support to innovators, entrepreneurs, small companies, and scientists under the European Innovation Council goes far beyond a grant provision.
The EIC offers several business acceleration services that help speed up the pace of innovation, including business coaching and flagship services like EIC Corporate Days and EIC Investor Days, where highly innovative SMEs can take advantage of pitching and partnering opportunities with investors and corporates. In addition, the EIC has recently launched the EIC Greenhouse Gas (EIC GHG) programme, where SMEs receive expert support and guidance to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and co-create green innovations.
