“Join the Spirit” for a clean Environment

• EADS Innovation Works, Airbus and ENN invite Chinese research teams to join a competition for new sustainable energies in aviation
• Innovative teams in China are asked to tackle a global problemsolving challenge from EADS Innovation Works, Airbus & ENN
• Five prizes will be awarded
• Prizes range from 1000 RMB to 20 000 RMB.
• The Champion team will also be rewarded with a research contract worth up to 400,000RMB by EADS Innovation Works

A national research competition dedicated to new sustainable energies in the aviation sector in China was launched at the 9th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Zhuhai Airshow). The sponsors of this competition are EADS Innovation Works, the EADS group’s corporate research and technology network, Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer within the EADS Group, and ENN, a leading clean energy company based in China. Teams from research institutions all across the country are invited to participate in this nationwide competition.

Named “Join the Spirit,” this competition presents a challenge for Chinese research teams to come up with innovative concepts linked to new sustainable energies for the aviation sector in various different domains (Algae bio-fuel for aviation, Solar energy for aerospace, Energy storage for aerospace, Smart energy network, Optimization, improvement of energy efficiency etc.). Participants are given five months to work on their selected themes after which the reports can be submitted on a dedicated website: http://jointhespirit.eads.com.

A list of 5 finalists will then be selected and invited for the “grand finale” at the Airbus final assembly line factory in Tianjin and the teams will be awarded the following prizes:

• The Champions: Prize worth up to 20,000 RMB (approximately 3200 USD) plus an opportunity for project collaboration with funding up to 400,000 RMB (app. 64,000 USD)
• 1st Runner-up: a prize worth up to 10,000 RMB (approximately 1600 USD)
• 2nd Runner-up: a prize worth up to 5,000 RMB (approximately 800 USD)
• Most marketable/viable idea: a prize worth up to 1,000 RMB (approximately 160 USD)
• Most creative idea: a prize worth up to 1,000 RMB

“There is always a huge gap between the classroom and the real world. With this competition, Chinese students will have the opportunity to put into practice what they’ve learnt in their textbooks through working with a real-world challenge in new energies for the aviation market. They will thus have the chance to enhance their academic knowledge in the frame of a stimulating teamwork environment,” explains Jean Botti Chief Technical Officer of EADS.

“Airbus will provide strong support to this contest,” says Laurence Barron, President of Airbus China. “Airbus shares the vision of EADS and the industry for a greener aviation industry and we believe the contest will inspire more Chinese young people to devote themselves to making the earth a better place to live on.”

"ENN has always devoted itself to the innovation and implementation of clean energy technologies. We have also placed much emphasis on the development of young talents in the global energy and technology arena", says Dr Zhong Xue Gan, the Chief Technology Officer of the ENN Group.

This competition will start on 13 November 2012, and end on 31 March 2013. The list of the finalists will be published in May 2013 on the “Join the Spirit” website and the final results will be announced during the Grand Finale at the Airbus final assembly line factory in Tianjin.

EADS Innovation Works is a global network of seven trans-national Technical Capability Centres that have the mission to identify new value-creating technologies and to develop technological skills and resources. The organisation also operates EADS’s corporate research and technology laboratories that promote the group’s technical innovation potential with a focus on the long-term.

About Airbus

Airbus is the leading aircraft manufacturer offering the most modern and efficient passenger aircraft family on the more than 100-seat market. Its military division, Airbus Military, is the global leader for military transport, tanker and surveillance airlifters ranging from three to 45 tonnes of payload. Airbus is an EADS company.

About EADS

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2011, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of € 49.1 billion and employed a workforce of over 133,000.

About ENN

ENN, a leading clean energy company founded in 1989, aiming at the harmonious development between energy and environment, is committed to developing and utilizing clean energy technologies. Its business includes energy distribution, Solar energy, Energy chemicals, Intelligent energy, Culture & travel. ENN has employed more than 27,000 people in over 100 subsidiaries around the world, and in more than 100 cities throughout China.