List of Nominees 2020

Nominated by NSAI - National Standards Authority of Ireland
Feb 2015 – Feb 2017

The vision of AQUASMART is to enhance innovation capacity in the aquaculture sector by addressing the problem of global knowledge access and data exchanges between aquaculture companies and its related stakeholders. By offering aquaculture production companies the tools to access and share global open data along with strong data analytics in a multi-lingual, multi-sector and cross-border setting we aim to strengthen their competitiveness and growth potential.

Based on the project results, the CWA 17239 ‘Big Data in Aquaculture’ has been developed.

Nominated by DIN - Deutsches Institut für Normung
May 2014 – April 2020

DRIVER+ (Driving Innovation in Crisis Management for European Resilience) is a project funded under the 7th Framework Programme of the European Commission, whose main aim is to cope with current and future challenges due to increasingly severe consequences of natural disasters and terrorist threats, by the development and uptake of innovative solutions that are addressing the operational needs of practitioners dealing with Crisis Management.

To achieve its overarching objective, DRIVER+ delivered:

• A pan-European Test-bed for Crisis Management capability development enabling practitioners to create a space in which stakeholders can collaborate in testing and evaluating new products, tools, processes or organisational solutions.
• A Portfolio of Solutions (PoS) in the form of a database-driven website that aims at documenting all DRIVER+ solutions. These will be tested via trials during the project lifetime. Ultimately, the PoS will be opened up to any external organisations willing to share data and experiences of solutions
• A shared understanding in Crisis Management across Europe, through the enhancement of the cooperation framework

The following CWAs are based on the results of DRIVER+:

• CWA 17335:2018 Terminologies in crisis and disaster management
• CWA 17513:2020 Crisis and disaster management - Semantic and syntactic interoperability
• CWA 17514:2020 Systematic assessment of innovative solutions for crisis management — Trial guidance methodology
• CWA 17515:2020 Building a common simulation space

Nominated by ASI - Austrian Standards International - Standardization and Innovation

Easelink, a high-tech company from Graz, Austria, develops the automated conductive charging solution “Matrix Charging”. The charging system consists of two components: the Matrix Charging Connector which is integrated on the vehicle underbody and the Matrix Charging Pad which is the infrastructure component integrated in any parking space. The Matrix Charging Pad can be integrated seamlessly into the parking space or placed on top of the parking space. Both elements of the charging system set up a highly effective conductive and automated connection to charge the vehicle.

Electric vehicle users only need to park the vehicle on the parking lot and the vehicle is automatically charged. In this way parking time becomes charging time. The Matrix Charging Pad can be installed indoor (e.g. in a garage) and outdoor (e.g. public spaces). Due to the robust design, the Matrix Charging Pad are maintenance-free. A cleaning routine performed by the Matrix Charging Connector cleans the pad from pollutions occurring on parking spots (e.g. dirt, leaves, etc.). Matrix Charging systems are already operated in real environment conditions within several vehicles of leading OEMs und vehicle fleet operators.

Easelink has been successfully funded by the European Commission through the Horizon 2020 SME instrument phase 2 grant. The submitted and supported project is Matrix Charging.

Standardization is of great importance for the Matrix Charging project. Therefore, Easelink is already working in relevant standardization committees to contribute its knowledge gathered over the time and to be well prepared for the upcoming standardization projects:
International Expert in ISO/TC22/SC37/WG01 "Electrically propelled vehicles - Safety aspects and terminology"
National Expert in German DKE AK 353.0.103 “Automatic conductive charging” IEC Young Professionals Program 2019.

Nominated by NEN - Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut

A large hydrogen infrastructure is currently in development across Europe, however the industry faces the dilemma that they are required to meet certain measurement requirements (set by European legislation) that cannot be followed due to the existing lack of available methods and standards. The EMPIR Metrology for Hydrogen Vehicles – MetroHyVe – is the first large scale project of its kind that tackles these measurement challenges.

The input of MetroHyVe is of high relevance for the standards development as referred to in the Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Directive (AFID) which form a basis for the deployment of alternative fuels, including hydrogen, infrastructure.

WINNER STANDARDS+INNOVATION 2020

Nominated by UNE - Asociación Española de Normalización
Jan 2017 – Dec 2020

NEXTOWER introduces a set of innovative ceramic and metallic materials to boost the performance of atmospheric air-based concentrated solar power (CSP) systems to make them commercially viable. Tower systems are appealing for the great environmental compatibility and offer tremendous potential for efficient power generation. Their industrial exploitation has been so far hindered by limitations in the materials used both for the central receiver -the core component- and for thermal storage. Such limitations dictate maximum working temperature and in-service overall durability. Improving the efficiency of a tower system entails to work longer and at much higher temperature.

NEXTOWER optimizes bulk and joining materials for durability at the component level to achieve 25 years of maintenance-free continued service of the receiver and maximum thermodynamic efficiency at the system level. This is made possible through a combination of research in materials design and manufacturing, and CSP full-scale testing facilities within the project.
Based on the results of the project, CEN/WS NEXTOWER ‘Very high temperature accelerated ageing of flat ceramic specimens by concentrated solar power’ is currently developing a CWA.

Nominated by UNI - Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione
Dec 2017 – Nov 2021

A failure to quantitatively control adhesion costs billions of euros each year in failed components, suboptimal product performance and life-threatening infections. Nano-enabled and bio-inspired products offer practical solutions to overcome adhesion and friction problems in these application areas. Current tools and methodologies, however, have so far failed to produce any standardised interpretation of adhesion data linking nanoscale adhesion to the macroscopic data. OYSTER brings Europe’s first-class laboratories and SMEs to take existing nanoscale characterisation technologies towards widespread utilisation in process optimisation and model validation. OYSTER uses contact mechanics to bridge adhesion data at multiple length scales and link interfacial adhesion to physicochemical properties.

OYSTER is developing a CEN Workshop Agreement for a novel standardized structure for terminology, classification and metadata of materials characterization methods.

Nominated by NEN - Nederlands Normalisatie-instituut
Jan 2017 – June 2020

The project QualyGridS developed standardized and unified testing protocols for water electrolyzers, with which an electrolyzer’s ability to perform grid balancing services can be demonstrated. Requirements of various countries to electrolyzers are converted in tests which show the capability of the electrolyzer to perform a particular grid service. Further, several business cases of electrolyzers performing these services have been analysed.

The impact of the testing protocols and techno-economic analysis in the project is to make available  qualification tests for electrolyzers to manufacturers and their customers, to show possible business models and thus to prepare the market for electrolyzers being integrated in electricity grid services.

The EU Green Deal boosts the uptake of renewable energies in the EU energy system. As the share of renewables in the energy mix is rising, the need for grid balancing services becomes increasingly urgent. Renewable electricity (e.g. sun and wind) is a more unstable source than conventional energy sources. To maintain grid stability, production of electricity needs to equal consumption.

Electrolyzers have the potential to play a key role in grid balancing. The flexibility of water electrolyzers (WE) to balance the grid by producing hydrogen with surplus electricity or reducing their power consumption is case of a grid overload may be offered to TSOs for example as frequency containment reserve (FCR), frequency restoration reserve (FRR), or to DSOs for congestion management and voltage control among others. Grid services may contribute as a secondary revenue stream to electrolyzer owners to achieve the goal of competitive hydrogen prices and bolster the market entry of electrolyzers.

Above all, the QualyGridS project supports the ambitious sustainability aims of the EU by building forward to the development of a stable grid for renewable electricity, and by providing manufacturers and customers (TSO/DSO) with a powerful and standardized tool with which this capability of electrolyzers can be demonstrated.

Nominated by SIS - Swedish Institute for Standards
June 2017 – Nov 2020

SEDNA (Safe maritime operations under extreme conditions: the Arctic case) is a research project that is developing an innovative and integrated risk-based approach to safe Arctic navigation, ship design and operation. SEDNA has a global consortium, with 13 partners from 6 different countries, including China.

With the expected increase in vessel operations in the Arctic, available trend data indicates there will also be a corresponding increase in accidents. In such a fragile environment, there is a risk that the resultant marine pollution from the oil fuel on-board could lead to a severe environmental implication. Methanol also known as methyl alcohol - is a sulphur-free hydrocarbon fuel that can be made from non-fossil sources and is very clean burning when compared to conventional marine fuels. Methanol as a maritime fuel is being discussed as one way to help achieve the goal to reduce the maritime emission of greenhouse gases by 50% in 2050 compared to 2008.

SEDNA has contributed to the development of CEN WORKSHOP AGREEMENT 106: CWA 17540:2020 Ships and marine technology – Specification for bunkering of methanol fuelled vessels.

Nominated by UNE - Asociación Española de Normalización
Nov 2016 – April 2020

WiseGRID integrates, demonstrates and validates advanced ICT services and systems in the energy distribution grid, providing secure, sustainable and flexible smart grids and giving more power to the European energy consumer.

WiseGRID's main objective is to provide a set of solutions and technologies to increase the smartness, stability and security of an open, consumer-centric European energy grid. The project combines an enhanced use of storage technologies, a highly increased share of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and the integration of charging infrastructure to favour the large-scale deployment of electric vehicles. It places citizens at the centre of the transformation of the grid.

WiseGRID goes beyond empowering prosumers. On top of having a consumer-centric approach, the project makes a difference in the market by delivering tools that facilitate the creation of a healthy, open market where not only ‘traditional’ companies but also electric cooperatives and SMEs can play an active role, contributing effectively to the transition to energy democracy.

Based on the project result, CEN-CENELEC WORKSHOP ‘Reference model for distribution application for microgrids’ is currently under development.

Nominated by DIN - Deutsches Institut für Normung

Research and investigation results in recent years show that micro plastics as a result of production processes, through the use of products and through the diverse processes of insufficient waste treatment, waste disposal or waste water management, as well as through thoughtless littering of plastics objects, are increasingly ubiquitous in the environment and in the animal world. The largest amount of micro plastic results from the degradation of macro plastic.

Food, feed, beverages can also be contaminated by various production steps and trade. The absorption of microplastics in the smaller micrometer and nanometer range in the human and animal organism, up to cell structures, as well as the excretion of microplastics could also have a potential impact for human health.

The qualitative and quantitative determination of the composition of microplastics in the various environmental compartments and in biota in the broader sense is the basic prerequisite for being able to observe and evaluate the release, shift and spread of microplastics from the source, to be able to determine a possible hazard potential and initiate regulatory measures if necessary.

Current and future standardization activities for the investigation of macro- and microplastics at ISO and CEN level are largely based on the work of Dr Ulrike BRAUN and colleagues.

Nominated by UNI - Ente Nazionale Italiano di Unificazione

Carlo BRONDI is actively participating to the national and international activities of the working group dealing with the series of standards developed in the environmental management system, LCA and circular economy. Particular attention is given to the standardisation activities in the field of circularity indicators, mapping and clustering these indicators at macro, meso and micro levels.

Nominated by NSAI - National Standards Authority of Ireland

Gerald CRADDOCK & James HUBBARD from the ‘Centre for Excellence in Universal Design’ at the National Disability Authority in Ireland were presented the 2019 NSAI Standards+Innovation award for the integration of standards development and innovation in Irish-based organisations, to support competitive advantage for Irish companies in global markets through the integration of Universal Design in the development of the Irish standard I.S. 374:2019 ‘Customer Communications for Utilities — A Universal Design approach’.

James HUBBARD was further awarded a 2019 CENELEC PIN Award following Mandate 473 as Chair of CEN/CLC/JTC 12 that developed “EN 17161:2019” on Accessibility.

WINNER STANDARDS+INNOVATION 2020

Nominated by NSAI - National Standards Authority of Ireland

Fiona DELANEY is founder and CEO at Origin Chain Networks (OCN), an Irish agri-tech micro-enterprise advancing digital transformation in the agri-food sector. OCN are winners of a European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Seedbed award (2020) for a mobile data collection toolkit for use by farmers on-the-fly. For farmers across Europe, going 'digital-first' raises issues of available finance, internet access, technology upskilling and conflict around data ownership and data privacy.

Engagement with European standardisation benefits OCN and its customers by positioning agri-business at the heart of the single digital marketplace, leveraging access to resources and infrastructural support (eg H2020, EU Blockchain Service Infrastructure) and utilising novel regulatory frameworks (eg eIDAS, eDelivery) to address digitisation issues common to farmers across Ireland and the EU.

OCN’s involvement with European technology standards development has influenced the adoption of a farmer-first data ownership model. This model has its origins in self-sovereign identity management practices found in blockchain and distributed ledger technology (BDLT) and extends the model to include role-based farm data digitisation. Refer to Universal Farm Compliance use case in sections below.

Fiona DELANEY is a H2020 StandICT award recipient (2019) for leadership and contribution to national (NSAI), European (CEN/CENELEC, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, UNECE) and global (ISO, ITU-T, IEEE) standards development for emerging technologies.

Nominated by ASI - Austrian Standards International - Standardization and Innovation

Sepp EISENRIEGLER is the owner and CEO of the Repair and Service Centre R.U.S.Z, a social business and a centre for consumer protection and sustainability. R.U.S.Z as a competence hub for repair and re-use operates Austria's largest re-use centre for large household appliances and offers a weekly repair café for individuals willing to repair their devices themselves.

Sepp EISENRIEGLER consistently followed his idea of resource conservation by standardisation and product design of energy related products: Based on the pre standardization deliverable ONR 192102:2006 09 01, developed by R.U.S.Z technicians and updated in 2014 together with ASI (ONR 192102:2014 10 01), R.U.S.Z has developed a basis to test new devices and assess their sustainability.

Nominated by UNE - Asociación Española de Normalización

Joan GUASCH, from its position as Director of International Development and Public R&I Programs of EURECAT, has not achieved a single contribution to a standardization topic or standard, but a strong contribution to an institutional collaboration with standardization which has led EURECAT to be the main R&I partner for UNE within 13 H2020 projects with different ongoing and expected standardization results. EURECAT is also participating to different national Technical Committees and has also recently contributed to the elaboration of the series of UNE Specifications about manufacturing of hygienic face masks for COVID-19 Pandemics.

Nominated by BSI - British Standards Institution

Paul MASON has been the momentum behind the development and use of standards in Innovation in the UK. He was instrumental in the creation of PAS 440 Responsible Innovation. Furthermore, he has created compelling cases to communicate the value within UK government, research agencies and cross-sector community, and to highlight the need for standards to support open innovation.

Paul is a change agent who supports SMEs to be more innovative and consider the social good that innovation can bring, such as diversity and inclusion. He is also a thought leader in the academic domain where he recognised the need for robust frameworks that allow innovation to succeed in a similar manner to research. He is a passionate thought leader and true champion for standardization and the benefits innovation brings to people.

PAS 440 release: “Innovate UK, the UK's innovation agency, identified the need for a framework that would allow innovating organizations to demonstrate they are behaving responsibly and ensure that their processes are developed with broader societal implications in mind. Innovate UK wanted to develop a Publicly Available Specification (PAS), but first needed evidence to show that there was real market demand and that this would be used by organizations. BSI was commissioned to investigate the meaning of ‘responsible’ in the context of different industries to understand what would need to be covered by a framework.”

Nominated by DIN - Deutsches Institut für Normung

Dr Georg NEUBAUER is Senior Scientist at the Centre for Digital Safety & Security of AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and is leading various R&D projects in the area of cooperative digital technologies. He is member of CEN TC 391 and chairman of the Committee 246 Societal Security of the Austrian Standards Institute.

Dr Georg NEUBAUER was the coordinator of the European project EPISECC on interoperability in crisis and disaster management (CDM) and is part of the management team of the European project DRIVER+ coping with challenges arising in the CDM domain. He coordinated the two CEN Workshop Agreements CWA 17335 “Terminologies in Crisis and Disaster Management” and CWA 17513 Crisis and Disaster Management – Semantic and Syntactic Interoperability” and ensured therefore the use of the combined research outcomes of both projects in international standardization. In his function as chairman of the Austrian national Committee 246 he initiated the ongoing development of the Austrian national standard S2303 entitled “Integrated Disaster Management – Methodology for the Comparison of Names, Terms and Definitions”. The concept of S2303 is based on the methodologies of the CWA 17335. This approach ensures therefore the sustainable use of the outcome of international standardization activities on a national level.

Nominated by DKE - German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies of DIN and VDE

Karl SCHULMEISTER's scientific work has contributed substantially to the development and improvement of laser product safety as well as LED and lamp safety standards. His research was the basis to permit higher safety limits, thereby enabling new technologies that require higher emission levels, as well as permitting improved performance, such as the measurement range of lidars, 3D cameras and machine vision - while still assuring a safe product that can be used without personal protective equipment.

The numerous publications by Karl Schulmeister (including the reference book “Laser Safety”) also serve as valuable tutorial material to help understand the complex dependence of the safety limits on wavelength, pulse duration and retinal image size.