Seeking sustainable, cost-effective solutions to reduce the humidity of cooling air inside greenhouses in Qatar

Challenge Context

Hassad Food is requesting sustainable technologies that can reduce relative humidity inside greenhouses to at least 70%, and can be applied for both small sized (450m2) and large greenhouses (5000m2) at scale

Currently, Hassad Food grows 19,000 tons of crops across the country where outdoor temperatures can rise up to 50°C with humidity levels to 90% RH, significantly impacting the growth of food crops. Hence, these vital resources need to be grown in greenhouses with controlled environments

Due to harsh conditions in Qatar, greenhouses need to be continuously cooled for adequate growth of vegetation. The cooled air, however, remains excessively humid, with relative humidity levels reaching 90%.

High humidity inside greenhouses is negatively impacting the growth of crops

Considered Qatar’s investment arm in the food and agribusiness sectors, Hassad Food has strategic commercial investments in Australia, Canada, Turkey, Oman, and others. In Qatar, it owns multiple subsidiaries that directly manage the company’s key investments. Hassad also plays an important role in crisis management, as well as research and development, with the aim of supporting the country achieve food security.

Evaluation CRITERIA

1. Technical Requirements

We are looking for proposals that meet the following main technical characteristics:

• Lower the Relative Humidity to at lest 70%
• Can be applied for both small sized (450m2) and large greenhouses (5000m2) at scale
• Cost efficient humidity reduction

2. Environmental Requirements

• Carbon neutral energy (or prove it can be achieved)
• No toxic emissions / harmful refrigerants
• Solutions should be able to withstand Qatar's weather conditions.

3. Technology Readiness Level

We are accepting proposals between TRL 3 – 8

4.Desired Business Relationship

• Hassad Food will facilitate piloting of winning solution in Qatar
• Business agreements to be discussed at a later stage

5. Discarded Solutions

• ​Solutions have to be environmentally friendly.

OFFICIAL RULES

Awards and Cooperation Opportunity

This challenge is part of QRDI’s Qatar Open Innovation program. Qatar Open Innovation has up to one million US Dollars ($1,000,000) to invest in the selected participant proposal across its open challenges to scale-up, jointly develop, acquire or license the proposed solutions. QRDI and Hassad Food together with the selected participant will discuss on a one to one basis the funds required to develop the selected pilot in Qatar.

Cooperation and funding opportunity

• Part of Qatar Open Innovation program with overall budget of USD 1,000,000
• Potential for piloting/testing in Qatar facilitated by Hassad Food

Financials / Commercial terms

All financial and contractual terms to be negotiated between Solution Provider(s), QRDI and Hassad Food.

Intellectual Property Management

IP rights will be discussed and agreed on during the evaluation phase and after shortlisting of proposals

Program Period

This Open Innovation challenge will start on February 03, 2022 and end by March 31, 2022. All proposal submissions must be completed by March 31, 2022.

Timeline for proposal submission and evaluation

The evaluation process will take place as of April 2022 and continue until June 2022.

QRDI and Hassad Food have sole discretion to select proposals and declare winners.

Important: QRDI and Hassad Food will work with selected applicants to assess the solution proposal’s business case during the evaluation phase. Solution proposal should be economically feasible and will be evaluated from both a technical and economic perspective.

After review, selected candidates will be invited to a virtual meeting with QRDI and Hassad Food in-house experts to refine their written proposals.

QRDI may alter the dates at their discretion. Any changes will be communicated to participants.

All participants must acknowledge and consent that QRDI and Hassad Food can use their personal submitted data for event publicity and marketing purposes.

Timeline for cooperation opportunity development

The cooperation project will develop in two phases:

Phase 1 – Proof of concept / Pilot implementation / Adaptation (2022-2023)

Phase 2 – Collaboration agreement for full scale installations (within 2 years)

Eligibility

• The Open Innovation challenge is open to start-ups, SMEs, and Corporates. Organizations can submit more than one proposal.
• All participants must provide valid contact information
• This challenge is not open to employees of QRDI and Hassad Food and members of their families
• Participation in the open innovation challenge is free of charge
• Before submitting a proposal, you will be asked to indicate that you have read the Official Rules and that you agree with them
• QRDI and Hassad Food may at its sole discretion, remove or disqualify any submission and participant it deems inappropriate or non-compliant

Submission Requirements

To get access to the details that are to be submitted please press on Submit a proposal and fill in all the required information. Incomplete proposals may be subject to disqualification.

Applicable law

This Open Innovation Challenge Official Rules and thus your participation in the QRDI and Hassad Food joint Open Innovation Challenge shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Qatar and is subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts and Tribunals of Qatar.