Company that designs stoves with solar panels receives an award from an Ecopetrol subsidiary

In a significant step towards sustainability, Octopus Forcean innovative company from Valle del Cauca, was awarded in the open innovation challenges of the Econova network, a subsidiary of the Ecopetrol group.
His outstanding project uses waste from solar panels to design electric stoves that run on solar energy, contributing to the energy transition in Colombia.

(You may be interested in: Strategies that could increase the availability of gas for sale in Colombia).

With the participation of 37 national and 11 foreign companies, The “Econova Hub Energy Transition” challenge seeks to promote initiatives that accelerate the transition to clean energy.

Octopus Force won the award for its innovative system for collecting, recovering and adapting industrial waste from solar panels, transforming them into stoves that offer an ecological alternative to replace firewood, which generates emissions that are harmful to health and the environment.

(Also: Attacks lead Ecopetrol to import diesel to ensure supply).

“These reused and reconditioned panels ensure the electrical supply of our kitchens, demonstrating their efficiency and safety in real conditions. With this type of incentives and support from the Econova Innovation Center, we seek to further strengthen our technology to bring clean energy to rural areas of the country, where access to electricity is limited,” stated Lorena Valencia, CEO of Octopus Force.

The challenge also recognized two other notable initiatives: a digital platform called Red Dragon, developed by the Bogotá company Décimetrix, which has the potential to detect the state and quality of Ecopetrol’s electrical networks, and a second-life battery proposal for industrial use, led by the Antioquia firm BATx.

(Also: Ricardo Roa remains president of Ecopetrol: the board of directors supports him).

The Econova prize includes access to an $800 million pool that will allow winners to take their technology to a new level.

In addition, they will benefit from training, training and mentoring programs offered by the Innovation Centers of the Econova Network at the national level.

PORTFOLIO