GRI 3-3, G4-EU08

Innovation is in the DNA of Cepel and can be perceived in each activity, product or service developed by the company. As a cross-cutting theme, it is not restricted to a specific area and covers not only technology, but also the organization, processes and administrative activities. In recent years, the Center has greatly matured the concept of innovation, understanding it as a fundamental principle in the culture of the organization, which always seeks technological solutions committed to environmental, social and governance issues (Environmental, Social and Governance – ESG).

The main way of managing this issue within the company is the realization of continuous investments for the implementation of research and development projects, technological services, licensing of programs and trials. In this sense, and in 2022, the Department of Business and Innovation (DNI) was created, with the objective of improving the relationship with effective and potential customers and the internal management of R&D+I project. Furthermore, during the year, DNI also participated in the development of improvements to the monitoring and process redesign tools. In a new scenario, of many transformations, Cepel opted for the hiring of consultants to survey its projects and products, as well as analyze its capacity before the market, pointing to new business and new institutional relations.

The main project management tools of Cepel are SAP (financial monitoring) and Sipped (physical monitoring). Linked to the DNI, the Project Management Office (EGP-T) has been implemented in recent years with the objective of guiding project managers, keeping the tools updated, monitoring and recording the evolution of projects and carrying out the appropriate evaluations of customers and associates. In 2022, Cepel carried out a total of 93 projects, 63% for founding members, 28% for other associates and 9% for non-associates. Another 7 projects are in the negotiation phase to begin in the first quarter of 2023.

With the help of the Deliberative Council and the Executive Board, the Center evaluates the performance and results on the management of R&D projects, advising on necessary actions and adjustments. Its technical staff is divided into two technical boards (Technology board and Laboratories and Technological Services Board) and acts on projects pursuant to the demands of each associate and client.

Currently all the projects of the center are accompanied by the Project Management Office, which also acts in the dialogue with external clients. With the improvement of the processes, EGP-T has disseminated the culture of project management, encouraging continuous contact with the client, through periodic meetings, submission of the project partial results and evaluation of the work that has been developed. The official tool of Cepel for monitoring projects, SIPPED, has been improved every year, seeking the best ways to register, analyze and monitor them, allowing access to project information by the client. At the end of each cycle, the EGP-T prepares a management report with the overview of the projects, for presentation and discussion with the top management of the center.

The evaluation of the effectiveness of the projects is made from the analysis of the customers through a questionnaire to each product delivery. The impact of the products in the sector is also evaluated, either by the acceptance of the scientific community (with publication of articles in national and international congresses and journals) or directly with the implementation of innovations and verification of the benefits obtained by customers.

By supporting all its stakeholders in research and innovation activities, Cepel always seeks to improve the evaluation of monitoring data of projects and technological activities. With an updated and participative technical staff in seminars, courses, post-graduation, renowned groups of technical and regulatory work, the Center also supports several governmental institutions of the electricity sector based on analysis and diagnosis of any sectorial demands and with methodologies and tools used by bodies such as ONS, EPE, CCEE, MME and Aneel. Always seeking to preserve the capacity in research, development and innovation, qualification and training in the area of electrical systems and related topics, Cepel continues to act in accordance with its commitments—this established in the Bylaws and Values—in all activities of projects, tests, services, training and rendering of products and reports, without renouncing quality, suitability and technical primacy.

In 2023, the idea is to improve the monitoring of project contracts with the support of a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool, which will be managed by DNI. It is also planned to hire a specialized consultancy to support fundraising and project financing actions, as well as the improvement of R&D Aneel and R&D ANP project management.

Based on the results of the diagnoses and suggestions of these external advisories, many processes, projects, programs and initiatives of the Center will undergo redirections, following the guidelines, orientations and approvals of the Founding Associates, Deliberative Council and Executive Board.

ACTIVITIES AND EXPENSES RELATED TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AIMED AT THE RELIABILITY OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND THE PROMOTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT – (G4-EU08)

TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES HIRED (CLT) AT THE COMPANY WITH EXCLUSIVE DEDICATION IN R&D+I ACTIVITIES. (un)	182
TOTAL NUMBER OF OUTSOURCED WORKERS, FELLOWS AND INTERNS OF THE COMPANY WITH DEDICATION IN R&D+I ACTIVITIES. (un)	108
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WHO PARTICIPATED IN TRAINING FOR INNOVATION. (un)	18
PERCENTAGE OF EMPLOYEES WHO PARTICIPATED IN INNOVATION TRAINING. (%)	7.47
TOTAL NUMBER OF PATENTS GRANTED BY THE INPI TO THE COMPANY DURING THE REFERENCE YEAR (PATENTS ANALYZED AND THAT MET ALL REQUIREMENTS). (un)	1