Chilean non-metallic mining company SQM and innovation accelerator Innspiral have launched a call for proposals focused on electromobility, energy storage, and water conservation.
Until June 15, startups , research centers, and academic institutes can submit their solutions for implementation in the Antofagasta and Tarapacá regions. A prize of US$120,000 will be distributed among the three winners.
In a conversation with BNamericas, Alfonso Abadía, partner and project manager at Innspiral, commented that priority will be given to energy-efficient electromobility solutions for application in remote and vulnerable sectors of the north of the country.
Also considered will be energy storage technologies to be installed in areas without access to the electricity grid or with intermittent supply, and systems that allow access to drinking water in communities affected by drought.
SQM and Innspiral launched two similar calls for proposals to use lithium in sustainable solutions, and this year the category of projects aimed at responsible use of water resources was included, with measures to increase the availability of drinking water, improve its quality and optimize its management.
The winning projects will go through a pilot period supported by SQM.
As an example, Abadía highlighted "Antu, one of the winners of the first version of the competition, who a couple of weeks ago inaugurated the 40kWp On Grid photovoltaic plant to power the irrigation pumps for the cultivation and planting of alfalfa in the middle of the desert in La Tirana."
In the first version of the competition, Antu, Movener and Refil were the winners, and in the second edition, Remote Waters, Endurance Electric and Litiohm.
Towns such as La Tirana, Quillagua, Bajo Soja and Caleta Urco will benefit from the implementation of technological projects.