The activities carried out in the framework of the project and the corresponding results, related with each one of the objectives has been the following:
* Objective 1. Technological validation. We have done the following activities: review of state of the art of the technology; simulations to analyse the energy performance of the technology; quantification of the cost of the product; calculation of several business cases for the fleet operators and the grid. Technological roadmap for the complete technological development till TRL8.
Result: The activities to complete the technological development has been clearly identified and a project to achieve this goal has been defined.
* Objective 2. Market assessment. We have carried out the following researches: research study about global semi-trailer and truck component market (Market Research Future, forecast till 2027); study of other documents (Roland Berger Market study); personal interviews with relevant CEOs of transport companies and energy traders in NL, BE and ES; assessment of competitors and regulation; validation through potential clients asking for pilots and letters of interest.
Result: The market scope has been extended from NL to global approach, being quantified and trends analysed with relevant documentation as support. Better comprehension of energy industry has been obtained in order to define the business opportunities related to grid balancing services.
*Objective 3. Business model validation by interviews and methodology of business model canvas.
Result: Business model and willingness to pay validated and better comprehension of grid stabilisation new business opportunities. The different stakeholders that interact with the Energy Trailer has been determined considering transport and energy industries. Flows of service, revenue and electricity has been defined.
* Objective 4. Risk assessment. Identification of technological, commercial, regulatory and financial risk and definition of contingency plan.
Result: Risk and contingency plan completed.
*Objective 5. IPR Roadmap definition. Assessment of Freedom to Operate and patentability. Definition of IPR strategy aligned with our commercial strategy and internationalisation roadmap.
Result: The patenting opportunities has been clearly identified and also the strategy to follow.
* Objective 6. Work Plan for the project in EIC Accelerator programme. Once we are aware about the technical and economic feasibility of our project, we have draft a work plan (tasks, Gantt chart, milestones, and budget) to carry out the completion of the technical and commercial development to reach the market.
Result: Work Plan for the next project specified.
*Objective 7. Business plan completed. Finally, we have updated our business plan collecting the learning of SME Instrument Ph1 project and with a vision over the next five years with a financial plan, marketing and commercialisation strategy and SWOT analysis.
Result: We have updated our Business Plan and we have at the moment a clear strategy to accelerate the finalisation of the development of our Energy Trailer from TRL5 to TRL8. Moreover, we have determined our go-to-market strategy at short and long term.
The technical and economic feasibility study carried out in the framework of SME Instrument Ph1 confirms the viability of the Energy Trailer project, and the sustainability of IM Efficiency.
