Young talent to build the future

Have an idea, develop it and tell the world about it: three dynamic movements to  boost young talent. This is the aim of the competition "Las Ideas se Mueven" ("Ideas on the Move"), an initiative we are developing, in partnership with Fundación Universidad Empresa (FUE – “the University Business Foundation) to promote innovation among university students and professional training through the search for innovative ideas related to energy and energy efficiency.

Following the success of the first two editions in Catalonia and Madrid, the third edition, held in Andalusia and Extremadura, has been very well received. “It has been an opportunity for Andalusia and Extremadura to be able to highlight the talent of the students and people we have in our regions, who are capable of launching new ideas on the world that can bring about lasting changes!”, says Macarena Camacho, Head of Selection at Endesa and coordinator of this edition of ‘Las Ideas Se Mueven’.

The digitalisation of homes without any barrier could be possible thanks to ZeroCap, a device created by Marta Alés, a student of the Engineering School at the University of Seville, who won first prize in the competition.

“It is clearly a unique opportunity and I’ll try to take advantage of it as much as possible!”, said the winner after learning of the judging panel’s decision. Furthermore, she says she has learnt a lot and is very grateful for the help of her tutor, Francisco Doncel, of Human Resources at Endesa, who, she explains, helped her a lot in how to express her idea. “I did the technical part and he helped me with how to approach the presentation of my project to the public”, she adds.

The awards

María Alés’ brilliant idea, ZeroCap, was awarded with €3,000 and, in addition, the winner will have the opportunity to carry out internships at Endesa whilst receiving academic training on productivity and personal development as part of the BRIDGE programme at the FUE.

Solar Rail, an installation within the guardrails of LED modules that use solar power and batteries for their operation, was a project presented by Miguel Ángel Ferreiro, a student at the University of Seville, who won the second prize of €1,500. The third prize, of €1,000, was won by Fernando Matías, a student at the Industrial Engineering School of the University of Malaga, with his project, Biofy, which aims to convert plastic into fuel. 

According to Francisco Doncel, “in the working world, we need brilliant people, who communicate well, who are capable of transmitting the ideas they have inside their heads”. “Endesa provides us with a great opportunity to meet these guys”, he adds.

Thanks to initiatives such as this, we have the chance to discover ideas such as those of María, Miguel Ángel and Fernando, which inspire us to continue counting on finding the ideas of the future thanks to the young people of today.