Italian electricity and gas company Enel has entered into a partnership with the Formula E electric car-racing championship.
The deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, names Enel the championship’s official power partner. The agreement will cover the remainder of the 2015-16 season, as well as the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns. The partnership includes the possibility to extend beyond the 2017-18 season.
Under the agreement, Enel will design a digital energy mini-grid for the series, which will monitor the power usage of each team during races. The company will gradually introduce its smart meters and energy management system at the three remaining races this season, and its services will eventually lead to no extra strain being placed on host cities electricity grids during Formula E races.
Enel’s LED lighting technologies will be showcased around each race circuit, while charging areas will also be set up for fans’ electric vehicles.
Formula E stated that the championship will deploy solar panels and glycerine-fed generators by the 2017-18 season as part of its agreement with Enel. The solar panels and generators will distribute energy at race events through an innovative storage system. Enel will also explore the possibility of installing solar panels at other areas around race venues.
Formula E also becomes carbon neutral following the signing of the partnership with Enel, with Saturday’s Berlin ePrix set to mark the first-ever carbon neutral motor race.
Francesco Starace, chief executive and general manager of the Enel Group, said: “Enel and Formula E are natural partners, as we both embrace the exciting opportunities in electric mobility, smart cities and the clean energy revolution. We are now joining forces to continue with our pioneering work in the field of technological innovation for the vehicles of the future.”
Enel joins Michelin, Tag Heuer, Qualcomm, DHL, BMW, Visa, Maison Mumm, Charge, CNBC and 360 Racing as official partners of Formula E.