Its main objective is to give support for business associations (clusters) formed by SMEs, aiming to innovation and knowledge exchange. Furthermore, it aims to detect innovation opportunities in the main fields of economic activities of the region through a network of professionals working as a think tank.

The Regional Ministry has invested 5,6 million Euro in this initiative that hasgrown in presence since 2006 from the initial 15 to 23 sectors today.

The I-Creo network has been able to generate 650 innovation opportunities for SMEs of the region, which in their turn have articulated the participation of enterprises in 900 national and international projects after 2.500 direct contacts.

Download the ideas for mainstreaming here.

With funding from the Local Innovation Award, achieved by Tameside in 2010, the pilot will allow 30 young people the chance of starting a business in the summer holidays with coaching from local business people. The Summer Entrepreneur programme has been a huge success in Sweden and the programme has already been successfully transferred to the region of Flevoland in the Netherlands.

Tameside MBC hopes to become the UK agent for the Summer Entrepreneur programme in the UK and will encourage other Councils and organisations to consider setting up the programme in their areas.

Bill Greenhalgh from the North West Development Agency, highlighted the opportunities to partners available to them through working in partnership with the region. Representatives from Envirolink, BioNow, and Food North West, the Cluster Development Organisations in the NW of England engaged with cluster and sectoral support, met with the partners to offer their assistance.

Prior to the meeting, the Romanian and Hungarian delegates, as well as the representatives from Greece, were given a tour of the new Media City site in Salford Quays to set the scene for the day’s discussions and show what can be achieved in the longer term.

To download the presentation by Bill Greenhalgh, click here

To view the video of FoodNW, click here

The website for EnvirolinkNW is available here

The website for BioNow is available here

A Video Conference was held between the regions of the North West of England and Western Greece in November 2010 to discuss the UK’s Higher Level Skills Partnership (HLSP) good practice which is managed in the region by the North West Universities Association (NWUA).

Representatives of Patras Science Park and Patras University then visited the NWUA in December to speak with HLSP project managers in a number of sectors, including, Creative, Digital & ICT, Construction, Bio-medical, Energy & Environmental, to progress the exchange. Through a series of one to one discussions by the sector representatives, discussions of some of the initial barriers to implementation, exploring the regional infrastructure and funding options, and a visit to Manchester Metropolitan University, the Greek partners aim to implement a similar programme in their region.

Photos of the day are available to download and view here:
Manchester Photos 1
Manchester Photos 2
Manchester Photos 3

The Agenda and the presentations are available for download here:

AGENDA

Mini Europe Update & Background – Karin Maatje

North West of England Imports & Mainstreaming – Tameside MBC & Salford University

Women’s Enterprise in the NW of England – Ellie Kerr & Elaine Owen

Sustainability of Mainstreaming – Winnie Prins – Province of Flevoland

New Sub Regional Arrangements in the North West of England – Suzanne Blackledge, Tameside MBC

The 3rd Creative Workshop for Mini Europe was held in Manchester, in the North West of England on December 9th, 2010. In order to ensure that the aims of the project can be met and all the options for bringing the exchanges between regions to completion are considered, the focus of the Workshop was on Mainstreaming.

The Creative Workshop aimed to ensure that all partners understood what it means in practice, what the options for mainstreaming might be in their regions, and to help them consider ways in which they might make this happen.

A number of presenters throughout the morning gave an insight to how they are currently mainstreaming the good practices they are importing, the essential ingredients for enabling mainstreaming to take place, and some discussion around the levels of mainstreaming that might be considered.

In the afternoon, three individual Workshops discussed specifically the existing mainstreaming opportunities, barriers to mainstreaming, and possible solutions within the Good Practice themes of Enterprise, Cluster Development & Sector Growth, and Knowledge Transfer.

Mini Europe was officially showcased as a good example of transnational working in November in the city of Liverpool to partners across the North West Region. The event was hosted by the North West Development Agency and the Committee of the Regions Open Days .

Bob Pels, Mini Europe’s General Manager, from the province of Flevoland, and Russell Yates, Regional Content Manager for the North West of England, from Tameside MBC, were interviewed on stage in front of a regional delegation of stakeholders by Councillor Flo Clucas, Liverpool City Council, on their experiences of transnational working and the practices covered by Mini Europe. The discussion highlighted some of the current exchanges that the North West is involved with, including: the Summer Entrepreneur programme and Summer Design Office, both from Sweden; the Tameside Business Family; the Cluster Development work that the North West is doing with Mini Europe partners in Hungary and Romania; the North West’s good practices in supporting female entrepreneuship; the North West Universities Association’s work with Greece on the North West’s Higher Level Skills Partnership programme; and how these programmes are being mainstreamed into regional and local policies and frameworks.

The event was carried out to showcase a number of projects currently taking place in the North West of England region – many of which concern support for Enterprise and Innovation and may be of interest to Mini Europe Stakeholders. The presentations from the event including ERDF projects in the region currently offering support for High Growth Businesses, Business Support programmes delivered by the region’s universities and Tourism projects, can be viewed here.

The promotion of the cluster system’s good practice is a relevant topic both in the Veneto Region agenda and in the implementation of the INTERREG IVC project MINI EUROPE. The Maramures delegation included representatives of the academic and the business community: Prof Dr. Eng Radu Cotetiu, the Dean of Engineering Faculty, North University Baia Mare, Prof. Dr. Eng Mircea Lobontiu, director of Engineering and Technological Management Department, Engineering Faculty, North University Baia Mare; Florentin Tus, secretary general of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Maramures, Lucian Micu, director of marketing – AMI SA Company, Nicolae Dascalescu, director TECHNOCAD SA Company and Mihaela Lite – regional manager MINIEUROPE.

During the opening session, Mr. Michele Pelloso, the Director of the Industry Department of the Veneto Region, introduced the visit emphasising the importance to share Good Practices to improve regional policies.  Mr. Pier Antonio Nicoletti, Responsible of the Regional District Office, presented the Regional Scheme supporting Clusters.

Three different Veneto Region clusters shared their experience: the Footwear Cluster presented by Ms. Simionato Claudia, the Refricold Cluster presented by Ms. Roberta D’Orazio and the Nanotech Cluster presented by Ms. Federica Lodato.

The event continued with a visit of NanoFAB, the Veneto Nanotech laboratory set in the Science Park VEGA in Venice and with a meeting with Veneto Union of the Chambers of Commerce of Veneto Region, Mr. Francesco Pareti.

Mr. Nicoletti underlined the added value al that an SME can acquire as a cluster member. The cluster’s SMEs, in fact, can maintain their individuality and at the same time have access to opportunities typical of large companies like fair participation, access to new markets and utilization of innovative materials and tools.

Mr. Nicoletti brought two examples: the participation of the Packaging Cluster to an important trade fair where  the SMEs  promoted themselves with a unique coordinated image (same stands, layout and catalogue) as a one stop shop for their big clients. The other one:  the possibiliy for the “Carousel”  cluster to involve the Aerospace department of Padua University in the research of the velocity effects on human body in order to prevent possible accidents and disseminate the results in all the cluster companies.

The Tameside Business Family is offered to the the Mini Europe partners as an area of Good Practice in stimulating Enterprise creation.

The Tameside Enterprise Strategy outlines the reasons for the creation of the Tameside Business Family.

The creation of the Tameside Business Familyhas assisted in creating a step change in attitudes towards Enterprise creation in the area, and brought the private sector together locally to act as a team, assisting new businesses with advice and support to enable them to grow.

1. TITLE OF THE PRACTICE  

PARK OF ENERGY AWARENESS (PENA)    Presentation of Pena

2. LOCATION OF GOOD PRACTICE

Keratea, Attica Region, Greece

3. PRECISE THEME/ISSUE TACKLED BY THE PRACTICE

The Park of Energy Awareness (PENA) was created by the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving to give everyone a chance to see the various forms of renewable energy operating at full scale, to learn about the technologies used to harness them, and the resulting benefits for the environment and the humanity in general.

4. KEY WORDS 

energy, awareness, general public, renewable energy source, CRES

5. OBJECTIVES OF THE PRACTICE

PENA is integrated into the landscape and it was constructed with the smallest possible number of changes to the natural environment of the area. The boundary of the park is marked by a wooden pathway lit by photovoltaic cells. Along the route, visitors encounter educational displays and energy demonstration displays on the various forms of renewable energy. Two electric vehicles will be also available for the use of visitors with special needs.

The park was developed in the 3.01 MW Demonstration Wind Farm that CRES operates since 1998. The project was co-funded by the O. P. “Competitiveness” of the Greek Ministry of Development (Action 2.1.1 & 9.1.2) and the Greek State. The total budget rises to 2.453.299€.

CRES’ Park of Energy Awareness is the first integrated installation in Greece that offers a successful combination of informational, demonstrative and educational activities in Renewable Energy Sources.

PENA consists of 4 Educational Thematic Areas and 3 Technology Hubs fully equipped with state of the art demonstrative units.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICE

6.1 Origin/background

Climate change is a fact for which we all share responsibility. We consume energy in all of our daily activities and while our energy needs increase along with technological progress, the Earth’s reserves are rapidly dwindling. Is there a solution?

Yes, there is: Renewable energy sources, inexhaustible energy sources which nature offers to us in abundance and which can solve the energy problem and protect the environment at the same time.

The Park of Energy Awareness- PENA was created by the CRES to give everyone a chance to see the various forms of renewable energy operating at full scale, to learn about the technologies used to harness them, and the resulting benefits for the environment and humanity.

6.2 Timescale

starting date of the action                     17-10-2003

date of completion of the action           31-10-2008

6.3 Bodies involved

1. Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving

2. Greek Ministry of Development/ General Secretariat for Research & Technology

3. Special Secretariat for Competitiveness / Management Authority

6.4. Problem tackled

The PENA project does not answer to a specific problem but fills an education-dissemination gap by establishing a model park with renewable energy components.

6.5 Target of the practice

1. Research – Technology

2. Adaptation of New Technologies

3. Energy

4. Value added for the local and regional development

5. Enhancement of society of knowledge

6.6 Target groups

1. General public

2. Pupils and student

3. Engineers

6.7. Detailed content of the practice

PENA consists of 4 Educational Thematic Areas and 3 Technology Hubs fully equipped with state of the art demonstrative units. Pena is located in the 3.01 MW Demonstration Wind Farm that CRES operates since 1998.

Educational Thematic Areas:

• P1 – Facing the Wind

This thematic area is dedicated to wind energy and to its exploitation. There are 5 Wind Turbines (W/T) of various types at the PENA with a total installed capacity of 3,01 MW, two of which were manufactured in Greece. At the entrance to the area there is a horizontal axis W/T of 750 kW. The educational thematic area also includes a biomass system for space heating & domestic hot water production.

• P2 – Hydrogen

The technologies for the production, storage and use of hydrogen in combination with another renewable energy source are presented here. The Hydrogen educational area is equipped with a pilot plant for the production and storage of hydrogen produced by wind energy. It consists of a 25 kW electrolysis unit, with a hydrogen production capacity of up to 5 m3/h. This plant is the first research unit of this scale in Europe.

• P3 – Flowing Water

A Small Hydroelectric System has been installed in the area “Flowing Water” in order to familiarize us with Hydroelectric Power and the systems for producing and using it.

• P4 – Facing the Sun

It’s an area on solar energy, the best known renewable energy source in Greece. Here, we have the opportunity to we learn about the new technologies of solar energy utilisation, such as electricity production and air conditioning. In this area we can see:

A PV System for Water Pumping

A Solar Cooling Unit (desiccant evaporative cooling)

An Autonomous Hybrid (PV/Wind) Desalination Unit

A PV Solar Tracking System

Energy Technology Hubs

• K1 –The History of Renewable Energy Sources hub

This unit is located at the beginning of our route through the park. Here we learn what renewable energy sources are and the relevant technologies. We learn how people used them in the past and how they are used today.

• K2 –Geothermal Energy hub

Here we learn about the forms of geothermal energy and how it is used. A small glass enclosure has been built at this energy hub where a Geothermal Heat Pump for space heating and cooling has been installed.

• K3 –Other Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency hub

This last, but not least, hub of our route is dedicated to technologies and applications for renewable energy sources exploitation, which are still in the research or pilot phase and which represent a challenge for the future.

Central Building

The main building at PENA which includes an auditorium for 45 people, fully equipped with state of the art multimedia systems for training programmes and seminars.

6.8. Legal framework

▪ Operation by Centre for Renewable Energy Sources

6.9. Financial framework

3rd Community Support Framework 2000-2006

OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME “COMPETITIVENESS”

European Regional Development Fund / Measure 2.1

7. EVALUATION

7.1. Main strengths

▪ PENA is integrated into the landscape and it was constructed with the smallest possible number of changes to the natural environment of the area.

▪ Demonstrational Units operating at full scale

▪ The park is operating under the supervision of CRES’ highly qualified scientific and technical personnel

7.2 Main weaknesses

Since PENA is located in a full scale Wind Park the weather conditions  influence the available visiting days

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

www.penaproject.gr

II. TRANSFERABILITY OF THE PRACTICE

8. KEY FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REGIONAL CONTEXT 

CRES’ Park of Energy Awareness is the first integrated installation in Greece that offers a successful combination of informational, demonstrative and educational activities in Renewable Energy Sources. The renewable energy sources technologies used installed the park, are demonstration units operating at full scale.

9. GENERAL JUDGEMENT OF THE PRACTICE

9.1. Degree of Innovation          ++

9.2. Transferability                     ++

9.3. Cost/benefit ratio                 0

10. CONTACT

Regional Content Manager

a)Chrysostomos Stylios

Tel: +30 2610911553

E-mail: stylios@psp.org.gr

b) George Tsovolos

Tel: +30 2610911560

E-mail: tzovolos@gmail.com

Additional Contact Persons

a) Ms Eftichia Tzen

Tel:+30 2106603361

E-mail:etzen@cres.gr

b) Dr Ioannis Vougiouklakis

 Tel:+30 2106603320

E-mail:ivougiou@cres.gr

c) Ms Effie Korma

Tel: +302106603319

E-mail:ekorma@cres.gr