Econova La Guajira Launches Five Open Innovation Challenges Focused on Energy Transition and Reliability

Ecopetrol—through its Econova innovation center and in partnership with Hocol and the La Guajira Chamber of Commerce—has launched five nationwide open innovation challenges. The aim is to identify and develop solutions addressing the company’s strategic needs regarding energy transition, electrical reliability, risk management, and digital transformation.

Up to $3.320 billion will be allocated to these initiatives to support the maturation, validation, and implementation of the selected solutions, aligning with the goals of the «2040 Strategy: Energy that Transforms.»

The call for proposals targets stakeholders within the National Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) system, including technology development centers, energy sector companies, academic institutions, entrepreneurs, startups, and other entities possessing innovative solutions to address the stated challenges. The challenges are as follows:

Challenge 1. Utilization of surplus energy

At Ecopetrol’s solar farms, solar power generation during peak irradiation hours frequently exceeds the dispatch capacity required or permitted by the electrical grid. This challenge seeks solutions to utilize surplus energy during this time of day. The allocated investment is $820 million.

Challenge 2. Electrical system reliability

This initiative aims to reduce and mitigate production losses associated with electrical events, thereby lowering costs linked to unplanned shutdowns and operational restarts, mitigating risks, and strengthening business continuity. The planned investment is $820 million.

Challenge 3. Vegetation near transmission lines

The goal is to identify alternatives for the automated detection, classification, and prediction of vegetation growth near transmission lines. This aims to reduce contact incidents, optimize maintenance scheduling, automate inspections, and minimize operational risks and disruptions to hydrocarbon production. The investment will be $430 million.

Challenge 4. Self-generation of energy using hydro-turbines

Implement a comprehensive, cost-efficient solution that harnesses the pressure differential in existing fluid transfer processes to generate electricity without disrupting operations.

The solution must integrate energy generation, connection, utilization, and management—enabling use in pumping systems, grid injection, or standalone operations—to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower grid energy consumption, and optimize the energy system. The allocated investment is $820 million.

Challenge 5. Risk map based on a mathematical model

Develop a mathematical and statistical model to predict risks for Ecopetrol projects in La Guajira based on multiple territorial variables. This involves creating an automated, scalable, and replicable tool that integrates georeferencing data with identified risks—both latent and realized.

This solution will transform data into territorial heat maps that facilitate the analysis of risks and opportunities for the projects. The projected investment is $430 million.