How can energy companies in Dalarna engage more people in the green energy transition? And what can the companies themselves do? These are some of the questions that students from Dalarna University will soon be tackling in the second edition of the Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge.
Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge is organized on 12-13 April by Dalarna Science Park in collaboration with Dalarna University. The event runs from lunch to lunch and this year the students are working on a challenge presented by Dalarna's nine energy companies and based on Dalarna's energy and climate strategy.
- Supporting the green transition requires more than technical solutions; it requires increased public awareness and engagement. We all need to be part of the solution," says Bengt Östling, CEO of Dala Energi, on the purpose of the challenge.
He is excited about the Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge and hopes that the students will contribute with new interesting approaches.
- There is a risk that those of us who are deeply involved in the energy industry become too single-minded. I look forward to the students' innovative ideas providing us with new insights.
24 intensive hours
During the intensive event, students will work on the design thinking process that is often used for complex challenges.
- It is a good process for finding answers to complex challenges. It allows participants to wrestle with the problem and its causes. Otherwise, there is a risk of moving too quickly to solutions and not solving the root problem. We know that this is a good method for finding really good ideas," says Jacob Ode, Dalarna Science Park.
Students will be divided into mixed groups based on their main subjects, such as sociology, education and business science. Many international students will participate and the whole event will therefore be held in English.
New contacts
Dalarna Science Park's business coaches guide the students through the process and the program includes workshops, seminars and own idea work.
- The aim is to use the time as efficiently as possible, so we need a clear structure plus food and drink to keep the pace up," says Jacob Ode.
At lunchtime on Saturday, the groups will present their results to a panel of judges, where the winning group will be awarded a gift voucher for a restaurant dinner.
- But for our students, the competition is actually secondary," says Maria Jansdotter Samuelsson, acting pro-rector at Dalarna University.
- For them, the value lies mainly in gaining new experiences and a new qualification, as well as contacts with the business community. Some may even meet their future employers, which is not unlikely.
Bengt Östling, Dala Energi, also hopes to make new contacts on April 12-13.
- Our industry is always on the lookout for innovative ideas, and this is the perfect opportunity to meet the innovators of the future.
Facts - Dalarna 24h Innovation Challenge
Concept: An annual event where university students spend 24 hours working on a concrete challenge presented by a company or organization.
Objective: Generate new ideas that contribute to sustainable development in Dalarna and increase interest in innovation, energy, technology and communication.
Content: Workshops, brainstorming, presentation and award ceremony.
Language: English.
Event: Dalarna Science Park in collaboration with Dalarna University.
2024 edition: Friday, April 12 at 12 noon - Saturday, April 13 at 12 noon. Location: Dalarna Science Park, Borlänge.
Clients: Falu Energi & Vatten, Borlänge Energi, Dala Energi, Dalakraft, Hedemora Energi, Malung-Sälens Elverk, Dala Vind, Smedjebacken Energi and Västerbergslagens Energi.
