SUSTAINABLE ENERGY JOINT ACTION PLAN

1SUSTAINABLE ENERGY JOINT ACTION PLAN Back to Main Contents

SUSTAINABLE ENERGYJOINT ACTION PLAN

RES GENERATION - From Research Infrastructure to Sustainable Energy and Reduction of CO2 Emissions

A Platform for Collaboration and Implementation of Sustainable Energy Projects

http://www.resgen.eu


http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html

2SUSTAINABLE ENERGY JOINT ACTION PLAN

PROJECT PARTNERSThe RESGen consortium brings together nine partners, from four different EU regions and countries. Each region is

represented by businesses, academic/research institutions and local/regional government bodies. The partners are:

Finland: Regional Council of

Ostrobothnia, University of Vaasa -

Vaasa Energy Institute, Oy Merinova Ab.

RESGen is supported by the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (Regions of Knowledge)

Photo credits: Heikki Mahlamäki (P2 & P10), Kensa Engineering (P21), Regen SW (P23), Miller Pattison (P20) and Wave Hub (P24, P25)

Spain: Tecnalia, Ente Vasco de la

Energía and Cluster de Energía del

País Vasco.

Hungary: NORRIA - North Hungarian

Regional Innovation Agency Non-profit

Corporation and Károly Róbert College.

United Kingdom: Cornwall Development

Company (CDC)


http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html

3SUSTAINABLE ENERGY JOINT ACTION PLAN

TABLE Of CONTENTSExecutive Summary 04

Introduction 07

Background to the Joint Action Plan 12

Joint Action Plan 13

- Smart Grids 14

- Regional Sustainable Energy Management 16

- Wind Energy 18

- Energy Efficiency 20

- Green Public Procurement 22

- Marine Energy 24

- Energy Technology Cluster Cooperation 26

Taking Steps towards Successful Implementation 27



The prioritised sustainable energy themes and

their associated objectives include:

Smart GridsTo support an increase in renewable energy supply,

the electricity network needs to be upgraded

to allow for the intermittent nature of renewable

energy sources and to enable two-way digital

communication between the supplier and the

consumer. Through the Smart Grid Action Plan,

RESGen regions will both widen and deepen

the collaboration that already exists between the

research clusters in Cornwall, Basque Country,

Ostrobothnia and Northern Hungary.

The Sustainable Energy Joint Action Plan (JAP)

to 2020 defines the agreed steps for future

collaboration between the four RESGen partner

regions of Basque Country (Spain), Ostrobothnia

(Finland), Cornwall (UK) and Northern Hungary

(Hungary). This action plan aims to drive economic

development through sustainable energy research

and technological development.

In taking collaborative action to strengthen mutual

regional economic structures with a high RTD

absorption capacity and allowing actors and

stakeholders to exploit research, the RESGen

regions will take significant steps towards energy

self-sufficiency and CO2 reduction.

ExECUTIvE SUmmARYAt the core of this plan is the desire to work across

the triple-helix to achieve sustainable energy

outcomes. It is strongly believed by the RESGen

partners that through engaging key stakeholders

from the research, private and public sectors,

regions can drive forward collaborative action to

achieve sustainable energy goals.

The JAP itself comprises of a series of individual

action plans to 2020 centred around seven

sustainable energy priority themes. Each of these

action plans aims to work across the triple helix

and involves two or more of the RESGen partner

regions. Key objectives, activities and indicative

sources of finance for implementation are identified

for each plan.



Energy EfficiencyThe scope of the energy efficiency priority has

been limited to focus on the domestic and public

sectors. Both Cornwall and Northern Hungary

aim to work together through this action plan

to reduce energy consumption and limit energy

wastage within the regions through a collaborative

approach towards smart energy management. This

will be achieved by developing and implementing

new energy efficiency projects including forming

links with the Smart Grid Action Plan to develop

a ‘smart homes’ project. In addition a long term

strategy of cooperation and communication

between the two regions will allow sharing of

knowledge and best practice, support mentoring

and the development of new energy efficiency

policies and strategies.

Wind EnergyLinking in with the Smart Grid Action Plan, this

priority theme focuses on encouraging and

supporting the establishment of community

wind energy schemes with the integration of

smart grid solutions. Community support of wind

power will be encouraged through innovative

financial mechanisms which will offer incentives

to help facilitate the planning stages of wind

energy projects. This will be achieved through a

collaborative approach between Ostrobothnia,

Basque Country and Cornwall to share knowledge

in relation to technological developments, business

models and innovative financial mechanisms,

through the support of new community based

developments and the identification of business

opportunities.

Green Public ProcurementThrough Green Public Procurement (GPP) it is possible to direct the combined spending power of

Government across the EU Member States towards more sustainable products and services. It can also lead

to innovative solutions by encouraging the public sector to support the development of more sustainable

technologies. The key objective of this action plan is to increase the understanding of GPP policies in both

Cornwall and Northern Hungary and develop regional capacity through a collaborative approach.



In the development of the individual action plans

each priority theme was considered in relation to a

series of identified areas. This allowed for comparison

between the participating regions and supported the

identification of an appropriate set of actions.

The areas for comparison included:

•Policies and strategies (economy, innovation, entry

barriers, sustainable energy).

•Energy matters (consumption, supply, RES,

natural/climatic resources).

•Research (clusters, R&D intensity, R&D

employment, education & qualifications).

•Economic structures (regional income, dominant

actors, competitive fringe, sectoral specialisms,

labour force characteristics).

•Systematic communication between key actors

(organised communication within networks).

•Finance (pathways and instruments).

Collectively the RESGen partners have a wealth

of experience in implementing sustainable energy

measures relating to the priority themes and

through collaborative working it is hoped that

this knowledge can be transferred between the

participating regions.

Regional Sustainable Energy Management

A sustainable micro-region is a complex system

of sustainable supply networks with the use of

sustainable energy at its core. This action plan aims

to implement two pilot projects in Northern Hungary

and Ostrobothnia to support sustainable energy

management in the sustainable micro-region to 2020.

The key objective of this collaborative approach is to

define the relationships within the sustainable supply

networks and to prepare and implement the action

plans for the delivery of the two pilot initiatives

Marine EnergyThere is a strategic commitment to develop marine

energy in the regions of Basque Country and

Cornwall. This action plan will focus on wave energy

and offshore wind due to the promising resource

potential, technological & industrial capabilities and

a favourable political & regulatory framework.

The objective of this action plan is to accelerate

marine energy in both regions by taking a

coordinated approach and addressing common

barriers, including those in relation to:

consenting, environment, safety, resource, grid

integration, technology & business feasibility and

social acceptance.

Energy Technology Cluster Cooperation

Both the Basque Country and the Ostrobothnia

regions have large energy technology clusters

comprising companies who are global technology

leaders in certain renewable energy product

segments. During the RESGen project, the

cooperation potential between the technology

clusters was identified.

The first phase of the cooperation will be

implemented in the REINA project - a joint cluster

cooperation project coordinated by the Basque

Government and involving the energy clusters

in the Basque Country, Ostrobothnia and Upper

Austria. The project facilitates the first cooperation

activities, such as company mapping and

positioning on the energy segment value chains,

as well as for the joint establishment in countries

outside the EU.



INTROdUCTIONRESGen brings together a partnership of nine

organisations representing four regions across the

EU. The RESGen Project aims to create realistic

grounds and practical tools for developing

regional energy self sufficiency, and potential

innovative regional research-driven clusters

across the EU.

The Sustainable Energy Joint Action Plan

contributes to this by providing a platform for the

collaboration and implementation of sustainable

energy projects. Partner regions have developed

critical links and synergies between the local RTD

research driven clusters through the delivery of the

RESGen project.

The four RESGen regions are shown below and

include Cornwall, Northern Hungary, Ostrobothnia

and Basque Country. Each of these regions is

committed to working collaboratively, involving

actors from across the private, public and research

sectors, to support the advance towards energy

self-sufficiency.

The following pages provide a brief

background to the four RESGen regions.

This Joint Action Plan therefore aims to maximise

the impact of the knowledge sharing and mutual

learning for high quality research through the

identification of key linkages to the economic

sector, concentrating on existing strengths and

regional characteristics, and achieving a critical

mass in R&D activities.



Cornwall, United Kingdom

Cornwall is a rural and maritime region with

approximately 700 km of coastline situated at

the far south-western peninsula of England.

With a total land area of 3606km2 and a population

of 532,200 (in 2010) Cornwall is a predominately

rural region containing a wide scatter of small

towns and villages. The dispersed population

reflects an economy that has been historically

dependent on farming, fishing and metalliferous

mining. Cornwall imports the vast majority of its

energy and has no major power stations but there

is increasing political support and investment in

renewable energy production, particularly wave

energy. The research infrastructure in Cornwall has

changed dramatically in recent years, primarily due

to European investment.

As a result Cornwall’s education sector has

grown rapidly with the number of people studying

in Cornwall likely to exceed 7,500 by 2011.

Investment in research is already generating new

knowledge and new commercial opportunities

in the county. The organisation representing

Cornwall in the RESGen partnership is Cornwall

Development Company.



BASqUE COUNTRY, SPAIN

The Basque Country is located in the north of

Spain by the Bay of Biscay, with a population

of 2.1 million inhabitants. The region is one

of the most important industrial areas in Spain,

with an economy largely based on industry,

namely in the metal and machinery sectors, with

SMEs predominant. The energy system is 95%

based in energy imports, with natural gas widely

available for the industry and the household

sectors. The energy sector in the Basque

Country includes around 350 companies with a

turnover of more than 15,000M€ and employs

approximately 25,000 workers. The annual R&D

expenditure is 185M€. The R&D energy policy,

“Energibasque”, was approved by the Basque

Government in December 2011 as a part of the

Science, Technology and Innovation Plan 2015.

The organisations representing Basque Country in

the RESGen partnership are the research centre

Tecnalia, the public regional energy agency Ente

Vasco de la Energía which belongs to the regional

Government and the association of enterprises

in the energy sector Cluster de Energía del

País Vasco.



OSTROBOThNIA, fINLANd

Situated on the West Coast of Finland,

Ostrobothnia is an international and bilingual

region with a population of ca 180000 and the city

of Vaasa (ca 60000 inhabitants) as its centre. The

region consists mostly of rural areas with a network

of small towns along the coast. The employed labour

force can be divided into primary production 6.3%

(3.7% average Finland), Industry 32 % (23.9%) and

Services 60.7% (71.4%). Vaasa is the energy capital

of Finland, and the energy cluster in the region is

the largest in Scandinavia. It comprises over 100

enterprises, more than 10000 employees, and total

net sales of ca 7,000M@. The share of exports

is 70%. Over 800 employees work in R&D in the

enterprises and universities in the Vaasa region.

At least half of these R&D employees are working with

Sustainable Energy. The organisations representing

Ostrobothnia in the RESGen partnership are Regional

Council of Ostrobothnia, University of Vaasa

-Vaasa Energy Institute and Oy Merinova Ab.



NORThERN hUNGARY

The region has an important ecological

potential with 13 % of its territory classified

as national park, accounting for 22% of the

nation’s natural parks. The economy was largely

dominated by heavy industry in the past, most of

which was affected by the industrial restructuring

of the early 1990s. Miskolc, which is the third most

populous city of Hungary, is the most important

educational and science centre of the region. The

economy is dominated by the presence of SMEs

who employ most of the labour force. The strengths

of the region lie in its potential for natural resources,

its cultural heritage and the centres for education

and science. Regional weaknesses include high

unemployment which rose to 10.6% in 2006.

Employment figures are also low with only 44.6% of

the population working either full-time or part-time.

The organisations representing Northern Hungary

in the RESGen partnership are NORRIA - North

Hungarian Regional Innovation Agency Nonprofit

Corporation and Károly Róbert College.



This communication will be achieved using a

learning platform, in this case the RESGen website

www.resgen.eu. Among the seven selected priority

themes outlined above, three of them are in line with

the key EU technology challenges to meet the 2020

targets and to meet the 2050 vision defined in

the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan

(SET-Plan):

•Developing larger wind turbines;

•Enabling a single, smart European electricity grid; and

•Achieving breakthroughs in enabling research for

energy efficiency.

Green public procurement, energy technology

cluster cooperation and regional sustainable energy

management are not a key priority in terms of RTD

at a European level, but on the other hand they

need to be developed further in order to help the

contribution of the regional and local authorities

to the European policies. With respect to marine

energy, it has been selected by two RESGen

clusters because of its large potential in their

respective regions.

BACkGROUNd TO JOINT ACTION PLANThe Sustainable Energy Joint Action Plan has

been developed around a small number of priority

themes which were identified based on existing

synergies between the RESGen partner regions.

The process of prioritisation was both interactive

and collaborative with potential areas of interest

identified and then rationalised through a

prioritisation exercise with partners working

together to agree a final list of joint collaborative

opportunities. The final list includes both

technological collaborative areas as well as areas

more oriented to policy development.

Once the priority themes were identified, a working

group was formed involving experts from across

the triple-helix within each of the participating

regions to begin drafting the individual action plans.

The primary focus of the plans was to support

research and technological development for each

of the priorities to contribute towards the wider

goal of sustainable energy production and regional

energy self-sufficiency.

The following table gives an overview of the priority

themes and shows which regions are involved in

each of the individual action plans.

Priority Theme Participating Regions

Smart Grids Basque Country, Ostrobothnia, Cornwall and Northern Hungary

Regional Sustainable Energy Management

Ostrobothnia, and Northern Hungary

Wind Energy Ostrobothnia, Cornwall and Basque Country

Energy Efficiency Northern Hungary and Cornwall

Green Public Procurement

Cornwall and Northern Hungary

Marine Energy Basque Country and Cornwall

Energy Technology Cluster Cooperation

Basque Country and Ostrobothnia

Where one or more of the RESGen regions are not

involved in a priority theme, the outcomes of the

individual action plan will still be communicated to

the full RESGen partnership as well as more widely

where the opportunity arises.



JOINT ACTION PLAN

- Smart Grids 14

- Regional Sustainable Energy Management 16

- Wind Energy 18

- Energy Efficiency 20

- Green Public Procurement 22

- Marine Energy 24

- Energy Technology Cluster Cooperation 26



Smart Grids are expected to play a big role in

tackling one of the most critical challenges in

Europe; the challenge of ensuring the efficient

and sustainable use of natural resources.

Smart grids allow two-way digital communication

between suppliers and consumers by incorporating

intelligent metering and monitoring systems. It

has been said that without serious upgrading of

existing electricity grids and metering, renewable

energy generation will be put on hold, security of

the networks will be compromised, opportunities

for energy saving and energy efficiency will be

missed, and the internal energy market will develop

at a much slower pace.

Over the last decade over 5,500M@ have been

invested in Smart Grid projects. However, despite

the huge investments, Europe is still far from full

deployment of Smart Grids and in 2011 only

around 10% of households across the EU had

smart meters installed (JRC, 2011).

SmART GRIdSThe RESGen partner regions have joined forces

to take action on this critical challenge. This

action plan aims to reinforce the well established

collaboration between regional research driven

clusters in Ostrobothnia, Basque Country, North

Hungary and Cornwall with each of the regions

aiming to work together across the public, private

and research sectors to achieve the objectives and

actions outlined below.

Objectives: 1) Set the basis for widening collaboration between

the four regions: To include new actors (i.e.

companies, research organisations) thought to be

essential to fully take advantage of the synergies

and complementarities between the regions.

2) Set the basis for deepening collaboration between

partner and other EU regions: develop new project

proposals in the identified common interest areas.

Expected impacts:Develop new business and collaboration

opportunities for the regional companies and

research organisations in the field of smart grids.

Take advantage of the already identified synergies

and complementarities among the regions in

smart grids research, policy development, or

business opportunities.



Actions:Establish a “Virtual pool of experts”

Bringing together regional smart grid experts from

the public, private and research sectors.

Activity: Set up a web based tool on the RESGen

webpage where experts in the smart grids field

can add their expertise and ideas for improved

understanding of identified common interest areas.

Estimated Cost: 5000@

Source of Finance: Participating organisations

Organise “match-making-meetings”

Targeted meetings where the representatives of the

local companies and research organisations can

meet and learn from each other’s activities.

Activity: Plan and organise at least one match

making event in 2012.

Estimated Cost: 15,000@


Develop new project proposals

In the first instance this will focus on

preparing proposals for three FP7 calls (FP7-

ENERGY-2012-1, Topic ENERGY.2012.7.1.3;

FP7-ENERGY-2012-1, Topic ENERGY.2012.7.1.2;

SmART GRIdS

REGIONS-2012-2013-1).

Activity: Participate actively on new proposal

drafting; Search for new potential partners within

RESGen regions and from elsewhere.

Estimated Cost: Varying


Monitor progress towards objectives

Activity: Organise six meetings (via Skype) to

monitor progress towards objectives; Organise

one feed-back meeting (via Skype) in December

2012 to analyse the experience so far, plan future

activities for 2013.

Estimated Cost: Varying




technical and organisational questions instead of

the social, environmental and economical ones.

A model of the sustainable micro-region of

‘Gyongyos’ has been elaborated and tested.

This model has five pillars: sustainable community;

sustainable local community; sustainable

infrastructure; sustainable public services;

sustainable natural environment.

The sustainable energy management must be fitted

within this frame and must be in harmony with all

of the projects targeting the establishment of a

micro-region.

Objectives: 1) Define relationships amongst the subsystems in the

micro-region.

2) Prepare action plans for the sustainable

pilot-programs in the selected micro-regions.

3) Define the social, economic, financial and

organisational background considered necessary

REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY mANAGEmENT

A sustainable micro-region is a complex

system of sustainable supply networks with the

use of sustainable energy at its core.

This action plan aims to implement two pilot

projects in Northern Hungary and Ostrobothnia to

support sustainable energy management in the

sustainable micro-region until 2020.

In order to link renewable energy sources,

three key issues have been identified. These

are strategic research and innovation agendas;

decentralised sustainable energy solutions; and

regional innovation. The participating regions aim

to investigate the tasks of the regional sustainable

energy mix: the necessary product and process

innovations to it, the possibilities of a successful

business (market) model and value chain (system)

and the supporting tools for the stakeholders

(partners). When considering how to fit sustainable

energy management into regional development,

actors need to realise that it is a tool in serving

the sustainable life of a community and not the

purpose. It must therefore be fitted into this wider

context otherwise the focus will be solely on the

to the successful implementation of the

pilot-programs.

4) Establish a program management team responsible

for leading and operating the pilot programs based

on regional experts.

5) Monitor the implementation and advisory activities.

Expected impacts1) Increased regional economic growth and

competitiveness through the definition of

joint strategies.

2) Improved response to the needs of regional

business communities.

3) Mobilisation of local, national and community

funds to implement defined regional action plans in

support of regional economic development.

4) Increased, and more effective investment in R&D

at a regional level, more regions in the European

Energy Research Alliance (ERA).



ActionsMentoring activities (preparation)

To build capacity and define a new action plan for

setting up a regional research driven cluster.

Activity: Select local teams; discuss and finalise

method; define regional sustainability visions

for 2020.


Source of Finance: Public

International cooperation activities

Activity: Develop a sustainability strategy to 2020

and supporting action plan.


Source of Finance: Public

REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY mANAGEmENT

Dissemination activities among regional

economic actors

Activity: Develop a variety of publicity mediums

including a website, leaflet (English / Finnish /

Hungarian), and press releases. Organise and hold

conferences and EU-wide events.


Source of Finance: Public / Private

Measures to support implementation

Activity: Elaborate on the regional activity plan to

2020; Organisation development; Financial

sources timing.


Source of Finance: Public / Private



Wind energy is becoming increasingly

competitive as a result of new technical

solutions, increased turbine size and higher

hub height, which have lowered the investment

cost along with rising electricity prices.

However, there are still some issues which need to

be resolved to increase wind energy deployment,

the key one being in gaining the support of local

inhabitants. Experiences from many countries

have shown that the best way to gain this local

commitment is through offering financial incentives.

Through collaboration regions can study and

develop different ways of gaining the involvement

and acceptance of the local community through

different kinds of shared ownership structures

involving local inhabitants and actors.

This action plan aims to investigate both

community initiatives and the use of smart grids

as a way to optimise the link between energy

production and consumption. Participant regions

will be supported in the establishment of wind

energy based smart grid solutions.

Objectives: 1) Shared information, mentoring and dissemination:

a) Wind energy smart grid solutions for

isolated communities;

b) Wind energy business models both for energy

production, construction and maintenance;

c) Community owned wind power: financial models

and methods to gain local support for wind

power establishments.

2) Regional development:

a) Support establishment of new wind energy based

smart grids;

b) Support new community/co-operative owned wind

energy production enterprises as part of a smart

grid solution;

c) Gain commitment and acceptance for wind

energy amongst local communities through shared

ownership schemes.

3) Business models and opportunities:

Promote new wind energy production businesses

and support other business opportunities across

the supply chain.

4) Technology Development:

Form links between key research institutions

to facilitate the sharing of research findings in

the fields of wind energy, smart grids and the

development of community owned renewable

energy initiatives.

Expected impacts1) Community benefits of cheaper electricity.

2) New regional economic opportunities and a

‘green’ image.

3) Development of a technology testing site, including

showcasing smart grid technology, increased

public acceptance of wind developments and the

trialing of new financial mechanisms.

4) Research into integrated smart grid solutions,

knowledge of different ownership structures and

identification of new research lines.

WINd ENERGY



WINd ENERGY

Actions:Sharing information, mentoring and dissemination

Activity: Establish a virtual pool of expertise;

undertake study visits and personnel exchange;

produce a manual to outline best practice.

Estimated Cost: 5000@ per partner to establish

virtual pool

Source of Finance: Participating partners and

regional funds

Regional Development: Facilitating access to

funding for RTD and innovation

Activities: Develop project proposals to support

the use of smart grids in community initiatives,

share knowledge of community initiatives and

innovative financial models.

Estimated Cost: 15,000@ per region

Source of Finance: Participating partners and

regional funds

Business Models and Opportunities

Activities: Develop a business network to share

knowledge and learning across the triple helix,

identify key barriers to new wind developments

and growth in the supply chain, identify financial

pathways to support businesses in developing

community renewable schemes.

Estimated Cost: 5,000@ per partner to establish

network

Source of Finance: Regional funds and company

funding (to be requested)

Technology Development

Activities: Identify and share knowledge of relevant

RTD projects, exchange of research personnel,

improve access to SME and innovation

support services.

Estimated Cost: 10,000@ per partner

Source of Finance: Regional funds and company

funding (to be requested)



Expected impacts:1) Consumers better equipped to control

energy consumption.

2) Reduced energy costs for public sector through

more efficient buildings, products and services.

3) Regional economic growth and competitiveness

through the definition of joint strategies.

4) Response to the needs of regional

business communities.

5) Mobilisation of local, national and community

funds (including Structural Funds) to implement

defined regional action plans in support of regional

economic development.

6) Increase in, and more effective investment in R&D

at a regional level; more regions in the European

Energy Research Alliance (ERA).

ENERGY EffICIENCYThe scope of this priority theme is very

broad and it has therefore been necessary to

concentrate on energy efficiency in homes

and the public sector for the purposes of this

action plan. Both of these sectors are responsible

for a significant proportion of carbon emissions in

Cornwall and Northern Hungary. Reducing energy

consumption and eliminating energy wastage are

among the key goals of the EU. This agenda is

gathering pace due to recent legislation at both an

EU and National level. This includes the UK’s Carbon

Budgets, Carbon Reduction Commitment and

imminent introduction of the Green Deal. Hungary

has also introduced the Energy Efficiency Directive

and the National Energy Strategy. In addition, there is

strengthening support for energy efficiency measures

to increase competitiveness adding to its strategic

importance.

There is significant potential for reducing energy

consumption for a relatively low cost through

implementing large scale energy efficiency schemes.

These kinds of programmes combined with

behavioural change and the use of smart meter

technology could lead to large reductions in carbon

emissions at the regional level.

Objective:To develop understanding and implement smart

energy management at the regional level through:

1) Planning, developing and implementing projects at

the European, national and regional level, including

a ‘smart homes’ project. Please see the Smart

Grids Action Plan for further information.

2) Long-term strategy of cooperation/communication

to share best practice and innovative schemes

through the establishment of an international

expertise pool to facilitate a permanent dialogue.

3) Mentoring between regions using virtual technology

and participation in study visits to share best

practice.

4) Develop and share regional policies and strategies

to promote and action energy efficiency measures.

5) Develop and share innovative finance pathways

and instruments to support the roll-out of energy

efficiency programmes, with a particular focus on

community programmes.



ENERGY EffICIENCY

Actions:Develop an international pool of expertise to

share knowledge and increase competence

Activity: Set up a password protected database.



Transfer of knowledge relating to available

tools and best available technology

Activity: On-line video conferences, a shared

server space to share documents.



Share information on financial mechanisms and

the roll out of large domestic insulation schemes

Activity: Online video conferences on domestic

insulation programmes, and active mentoring of

less experienced regions.



Disseminate outcomes of local projects and

local agendas

Activity: Produce and disseminate e-newsletters.

Estimated Cost: 1,000@ per partner per quarter


Raise awareness amongst stakeholders

and consumers

Activity: Deliver joint presentations at international

professional conferences, hold online national and

international workshops.

Estimated Cost: 3,000@ per partner annually


Facilitate access to EU funds to plan, develop

and implement projects

Activity: Target programmes are FP7-Energy, RoK,

CIP-IEE, and NER300.

Estimated Cost: 500@ per partner per month




Green Public Procurement (GPP) can be

defined as “an initiative where environmental

considerations are taken into account within the

procurement process.”

Through GPP it becomes possible to direct the

combined spending power of government across

the EU members toward more sustainable products

and services. The public sector has a very large

spending power with public authorities across

the EU collectively spending around 16% of the

Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Through GPP

this expenditure can be used to encourage the

development of greener products and reduce

environmental impact. GPP is also seen as a key

mechanism for driving the Europe 2020 Strategy

which aims to achieve smart, sustainable, inclusive

growth.

GPP can also drive the development of innovative

solutions through a combination with Public

Procurement of Innovation, thereby encouraging and

supporting the private sector in the development

of sustainable technologies to compete in the

expanding global market for low-carbon and

resource-efficient goods and services.

GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREmENT

Objective:Increase understanding and implementation of

Green Public Procurement policies and develop

regional capacity by:

1) Sharing experience of developing and implementing

green public procurement policies and practices.

2) Sharing and joint development of information

and training resources to support green

public procurement.

3) Developing a long-term strategy of cooperation/

communication, e.g. establishment of “Virtual pool

of expertise in Green Public Procurement or a

virtual network”.

4) Identifying finance pathways and instruments to

support ongoing interregional cooperation.

Expected impacts:1) Develop further collaboration between European

regions in the area of Green Public Procurement.

2) Establish links and share learning between

European regions to raise awareness across

the triple helix about the need to provide low-

carbon products and services to public sector

organisations.

3) Encourage large organisations to use their

spending power to drive low carbon requirements

through the supply chain.

4) Encourage businesses to reduce their carbon

impact and ‘de-carbonise’ the supply chain.



GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREmENT

Actions:Sharing experience of developing and

implementing Green Public Procurement

policies and practices

Activity: Involve NORRIA in the Clear about

Carbon Project; Undertake mentor exchange

visits; Undertake training of relevant personnel;

Use Skype and video conferencing to share

best practice.


Source of Finance: Clear about Carbon Project

Developing a long-term strategy of

cooperation /communication

Activity: Establish a “Virtual pool of expertise in

Green Public Procurement or a virtual network”;

Develop a short – medium term work plan

between Cornwall and North Hungary to support

implementation of activities.



Sharing and joint development of information

and training resources to support Green

Public Procurement

Activity: Set up a web based tool through

which experts in Green Public Procurement

can share learning.



Identifying financial pathways and instruments

to support ongoing interregional cooperation

Activity: Develop joint projects to further embed

Green Public Procurement within Cornwall and

NORRIA’s public sector; Apply for further funding

to support new initiatives.

Estimated Cost: 500@ per partner per quarter




mARINE ENERGYThe potential for marine energy to make a

contribution to Europe’s energy mix is well

recognised, and is reflected in the current level

of activity across European countries.

The most important advantage of marine energy

is that it is a high energy density resource, which

means that a large quantity of energy can be

obtained from a small occupied surface area.

The major disadvantage is the great difficulty in

extracting the energy in such a hostile environment.

Furthermore, Europe has the oldest maritime

industry, vast marine energy resources and it is a

pioneer in marine energy technologies. Therefore,

it is well positioned to lead the world in harvesting

marine energy.

The Basque Country and Cornwall have recognised

the strategic importance that marine energy can

play in contributing to their energy, industry and

RTD policies. Large schemes are already underway

in both regions including the Wave Hub and

FaBTest in Cornwall and the Biscay and Mutriku

Marine Energy Platforms in Basque Country.

For the purposes of this action plan marine energy

is defined as renewable energy production which

makes use of marine resources or marine space.

Based on resource potential, technological and

industrial capabilities, and a favourable political and

regulatory framework, wave energy and offshore

wind are considered as target candidates for

collaborative action between Basque

Country and Cornwall.

Objective: This action plan aims to accelerate marine energy

in the Basque Country and Cornwall by resolving

barriers and coordinating action. Current barriers

and / or uncertainties include: consenting,

environment, safety, resource, grid integration,

technology & business feasibility, social acceptance.

Expected impacts:1) Long-term regional economic growth and

competitiveness, particularly for the marine and

energy sectors.

2) Increased private investment attraction for Cornwall

and Basque Country.

3) A new flow of high quality job creation.

4) Contribution to EU energy policy, specially securing

energy supply at a regional level (subsidiary).

5) Response to the needs of regional business communities.

6) Mobilisation of European community funds.

7) Increased and more effective investment in R&D at

a regional level.

8) Progress towards a knowledge-based economy, both

the state-of-the-art technologies/methods and the

development of an integrated supply chain.

9) A more committed and participative society

convinced of the benefits of the marine energy as

one of the most powerful renewable sources.

10) A technological, socio-economic and regulatory

reference framework at a regional level on marine

energy that can be considered as a reference point

for other regions.



mARINE ENERGY

Actions:Mentoring Activities

Activity: Inter-regional coordination board and

agreements between regional authorities.

Estimated Cost: 3,000@ per year per partner

Source of Finance: Atlantic Power Cluster

(Interreg), IEE, FP7

Research & Development

Activity: Formal agreements between research

institutions aimed at fostering researcher mobility

and sharing laboratory RTD infrastructures offshore

experimental facilities; joint research and industrial

alliances to organise joint training courses, early

stage research training and staff exchange;

definition of common research projects.

Estimated Cost: 30,000@ per year per partner

Source of Finance: RTD national and regional

funds through ERANET in marine energy, FP7

Dissemination Activities

Activity: Organise international seminars on

marine energy.

Estimated Cost: 5,000@ per year

Source of Finance: Regional and National RTD

funds, IEE, FP7

Marine Business and Innovation

Activity: Involvement of industry representatives

facilitating participation channels in the action

plan; produce a baseline of both regions to identify

current projects and research; undertake a SWOT

analysis of the marine energy industry and develop

an overview of the supply chain, identifying any

future needs.


Source of Finance: ERANET

in marine energy, FP7



ENERGY TEChNOLOGY CLUSTER COOPERATION

Both the Basque Country and the Ostrobothnia

regions have large energy technology clusters

composed of global technology leader

companies in the fields of smart grids and

wind power.

Since the competence profiles of the cluster

companies are rather similar, there is a great

potential for cooperation. However, at present

there is very little cooperation between the clusters.

During the RESGen project, the cooperation

potential between the clusters was identified and

cooperation initiatives were requested by some

cluster companies. The size and type of the cluster

companies are summarised in the following table.

Objective:To increase the cooperation between the energy

cluster companies in the Basque Country and

the Ostrobothnia region, according to the export

market preferences and R&D priorities of the

companies.

Energy Cluster Companies

Basque Country

Ostrobothnia

Total number 351 120

Size

Large companies 61 17 % 7 6 %

Medium companies 73 21 % 10 8 %

Small companies 217 62 % 103 86 %

Type

Utilities 9 3 % 4 2 %

Manufacturers 175 49 % 65 54 %

Services companies 167 48 % 51 44 %

Expected impacts:1) Increased turnover of the cooperating companies.

2) Joint cooperation agreements and contracts for

technical and commercial cooperation.

Activities1) Mapping of the cluster companies according

to energy segments and internationalisation of

experiences and priorities.

2) Match-making events organised by the cluster

management organisation.

3) Preparation of cooperation agreements and

contracts.

4) Joint technical and commercial cooperation.

Estimated costs: 100,000 - 500,000@ /

2012-2020.

Source of Finance: Company funds, National

internationalisation funds, EU FWP funding.

The cooperation initiative will initially be funded by

the cluster management organisations, CEPV and

Merinova, as a part of their regular on-going activities.



The wider RESGen project comes to an end in

June 2012 and the Sustainable Energy Joint

Action Plan will continue as a legacy of the

project with each of the partners committed

to seeing the individual priority action plans

delivered by 2020.

Communication is vital to successThe success of this plan largely depends on the

strength of communication between the partner

regions. With RESGen coming to a close it is

essential that collaboration between the partners

continues to support successful delivery of

actions. Continued communication channels

will be achieved through interregional meetings

and the use of the RESGen website to support

discussion forums relating to each of the priority

themes. Through transnational learning the ideas

and concepts, which have been developed both

through this action plan and the wider RESGen

Project, will become embedded. It is an objective of

this Plan to also share learning with regions outside

of the RESGen partnership. Representatives from

across the private, public and research sectors will

TAkING STEPS TOWARdS SUCCESSfUL ImPLEmENTATION

be supported in taking good practice developed

through the Sustainable Energy Joint Action Plan

and translating it for use within a different context.

This systematic communication will allow the

abstraction of findings to transfer learning into

a different scenario by asking questions about

findings, such as ‘how did this occur’ and ‘why has

this happened’.



Focussed on deliveryThe commitment to delivery across the RESGen

partnership has already seen some early results

with several successes being realised. The most

notable developments to date have been as a

result of the Marine Energy, Smart Energy and

Energy Technology Cluster Cooperation Action

Plans. These are detailed below.

Smart Grid: All four partner regions are involved in the Smart

Grid Action Plan and to date, two FP7 project

proposals have been developed; SIERRA and

CUSTOM POWER. Partners are currently awaiting

news as to whether these proposals have been

successful in being awarded funding. CUSTOM

POWER will identify the barriers, opportunities

and solutions for the participation of users in active

demand and in energy efficiency of the overall

electricity system. To achieve these targets, a wide

range of suitable socio-economic and technology

analyses will be carried out with household and non-

household customers in various case studies within

8 European countries. The Custom Power proposal

has been submitted to the FP7 2012 Energy call

for proposals. The objective of the SIERRA project

is ‘to facilitate the transition to a low carbon,

resource-efficient economy through fostering

strong transnational research-driven clusters and

systemically integrating Smart Grids in regional

research agendas and economic development

strategies’. The project aims to offer a valuable

opportunity to build further knowledge around the

so far neglected importance of systems innovation

required by the transition to Smart Grids. The

SIERRA proposal has been submitted to the FP7

2012 Regions of Knowledge call for proposals.

Marine Energy: Stakeholders from Cornwall and Basque Country

have been working with partners from several

other European regions to develop a marine

energy FP7 Project. If successful this project, titled

InterCORE, will create a network of well-developed

regional clusters to coordinate research that will

foster innovation in a resource efficient Europe

towards the development of the nascent ocean

renewable energy industry. InterCORE will provide

the necessary resources to drive development and

integration, within and between seven Regional

Research Driven Clusters (RRDC’s) across Europe,

each of which is focusing on the exploitation

and mobilisation of Ocean Renewable Energy

(ORE - wave and tidal power). A core value of the

proposal is to accelerate commercialisation through

cooperation and smart specialisation.

Energy Technology Cluster Cooperation:

The REINA project is a joint cluster cooperation

project, coordinated by the Basque Government

and involving the energy clusters in the Basque

Country, Ostrobothnia and Upper Austria. The

project was accepted for funding by the European

Commission (DG industry and Enterprise/ Promoting

international cluster activities in the CIP participating

countries) in late 2011.

The project’s aim is the joint establishment of cluster

companies in selected markets outside the EU. The

project facilitates the first cooperation activities such

as company mapping and positioning on the energy

segment value chains. The company maps will also

be used to increase cooperation and to prepare

match-making events scheduled to commence in

late 2012.

TAkING STEPS TOWARdS SUCCESSfUL ImPLEmENTATION



The Sustainable Energy Joint Action Plan has been developed as a living document and as such there is a commitment across the partnership to review the plan on a regular basis, alongside the Regional Roadmaps, to ensure that actions are being taken forward.

For more information about the Project please visit the RESGen website.


http://http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/home_en.html


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