The first-ever Defence Team Innovation Challenge culminated in an exciting finale as the top 10 finalists recently went head-to-head in the Battle of the Innovators. 

Taking place in a packed room at National Defence Headquarters (Pearkes) in Ottawa, and shared via live-stream across the country, audiences watched as participants pitched their innovative ideas to a panel of six senior leadership judges, vying for up to $1 million in funding towards developing and implementing their idea.

After battling it out against the other finalists, the funding was ultimately awarded to the innovative team from the Canadian Army 2nd Division, Director of Land Requirements, Canadian Junior Rangers and 35 Canadian Battle Group, Quebec for their work on the production and management of portable electricity based on renewable energy.

The winning project’s aim is to pursue the development and testing of portable and scalable electrical production and management based on renewable energies. Designed and built as an easy-to-transport capability, this scalable mini electric power station will exploit renewable energy. Supporting many federal and provincial strategies, including the Defense Energy and Environment Strategy (DEES), this innovation offers a new energy production and management system applicable in the Whole of Government approach for any type of security intervention in remote areas, either in Canada or abroad.

With the funds being committed to research and development, new equipment, testing, certification, and training, over the next two years, the project team will work to:

• Establish a project office;
• Conduct a 5-phase plan (analysis, optimization of current prototype, development of new prototypes, production and testing) for each system;
• Leverage Canada’s expertise within organizations and universities through symposiums and a web page; and
• Perform three live tests in the high Artic.

Progress on the development and implementation of the technology will be communicated to the Defence Team as the project continues to evolve.

While announcing the winning team, Blueprint 2020 Champion Stephen Burt, applauded the hard work of all participants, commending their commitment to improving Defence through their projects, while continuing to work on their regular duties.

As demonstrated by the Defence Team Innovation Challenge, innovation in the workplace is not just about introducing new ways of doing business. It is about developing a culture that encourages and welcomes new ideas, methods, or technologies to help build the Defence Team of the future, and prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

If you missed the November 30 broadcast, video highlights of the event will be made available on the Blueprint 2020 GCPedia and Defence Team Intranet in the coming days.