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.

The main aspects of the workshop was the European program on supporting Research for SMES under the 7^th FP, the European program on Region of Knowledge and Eco-Innovation and the Human Resource Expertise. This particular workshop attracted the interest of people from Regional Knowledge Organizations (Universities and Research Centers), enterprises and representatives from the Technical Chamber of Greece, the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), the Region of Western Greece and from the Chamber of Commerce have been invited to participate in the IEW.

Mr. George Tsovolos presented the scope, aims and the main activities of MiniEurope project, how this Interreg IVC Initiative could contribute towards the development of SMEs on the 8 cooperative European regions. Mini Europe project was presented to an audience consisted of local stakeholders, representatives of local and regional authorities, owners and staff of regional SMEs, researchers,  experts and  people interested to create their own business. 

Mini Europe project is in accordance with the main aims of Patras Science Park to contribute significantly and continuously towards the development of the Western Greece region, by supporting the creation and growth of small, innovative and technologically advanced companies and by, at the same time, implementing research and developmental Greek as well as European and inter-regional projects in cooperation with regional partners within the European Union.

Due to the good practice exchanges organized continuously in the frame of the project – which has a budget of 1,9 million Euros –, in the youngest region of the Netherlands, in Flevoland 50 young people will get the opportunity to start their own “enterprise” this summer, and even they get only a small amount of “scholarship”, participants will receive consultancy and a “start-up package” of business cards and useful folders. Flevoland, NW-England and Mid-Sweden representatives also had a meeting the day before the Creative Workshop where they have discussed their methods of supporting women entrepreneurs and started to draw up a common strategy. Észak-Alföld and other partners could join this initiative at the Creative Workshop roundtable discussion about women entrepreneurship.

Észak-Alföld region has a remarkable good practice in the field of cluster development – the approach of the hosting region’s cluster policy is mainly bottom-up, and supports enterprises already have the willingness of forming a cluster. Two different approaches of building a bridge between universities, knowledge institutions and enterprises have also been presented. Maramures region’s ADISS project encouraged university students, to get involved in the project of a local company, dealing with wastewater management, while Észak-Alföld region’s Technology Transfer Office supports the innovative ideas and projects of regional researchers.

You can download by clicking on the following links the pdf version of the Creative Workshop presentations, 10 June 2010.

Az alábbi linkekre kattintva letöltheti a június 10-i debreceni Mini Europe Kreatív Workshop prezentációit.

Ms. Klára BARTHA – Technology Transfer Office, Debrecen

Ms. Ágnes Barbara BERDE – CLUSTHERM Central European Thermal Water Research Cluster

Ms. Mariann SUNDBERG – Entrepreneurship, start-ups

Mr. Gergely MAZSU – Entrepreneurs in Hajdú-Bihar County

Mr. Marius COSMA – ADISS project, University of Baia Mare

Ms. Jo COCKER and Ms. Jo MAKEPEACE – Entrepreneurial Approaches to Women’s Development in the Northwest of England

Mr. Zsolt HRADECZKY – Pole Program

Ms. Cleopatra PAVLOVIC – Presentation of the Mini Europe project

Mr. Ben CLIFF – The development of the Biomedical Cluster in Northwest UK

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

1. TITLE OF THE PRACTICE

Energy Upgrade of the Administration Building of C.R.E.S

2. LOCATION OF GOOD PRACTICE

Pikermi, Greece.

3. PRECISE THEME/ISSUE TACKLED BY THE PRACTICE

The Energy Upgrade of the Administration Building of C.R.E.S addresses the issue of energy upgrading the existing building stock. Specifically the project focuses on retrofitting techniques for the external envelope of buildings.

4. KEY WORDS

Retrofitting, building envelope, awareness, sponsorship.

5. OBJECTIVES OF THE PRACTICE

The project aims to demonstrate and promote, among engineers, building owners and contractors, options of energy saving techniques for the external envelope of existing buildings.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICE

6.1 Origin/background

In the framework of the implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive in Greece, the Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) completed a study for the energy upgrade of its existing administration building. Established manufacturers of building materials were informed of the study and offered to fully sponsor the realization of the project. The Division of Development Projects has undertaken the management of the project.

6.2 Timescale

Completion of energy study                                 April – June 2008

Construction phase                                              June – October 2009

Educational and promotional activities  October – December 2009

6.3 Bodies involved

The Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) is the Greek national entity for the promotion of renewable energy sources, rational use of energy and energy conservation, monitored by the Ministry of Development. CRES is the owner of the project and has also undertaken its general management and scientific support.

The practice is fully sponsored by the following companies:

Polykem: distributor and supplier of insulation products and other building materials.

Alumil: aluminium extrusion group and manufacturer of aluminium systems for architectural use.

Dow: manufacturer of insulation products and a wide range of building materials.

Isomat: manufacturer of building chemicals and insulation products.

6.4. Problem tackled

The Administration building of CRES was constructed in the early ‘80s. Similarly to many buildings of the same period its external envelope was characterised by low thermal properties and several defects. Specifically, insulation on external walls was insufficient, no thermal insulation was used on any part of the roof and windows allowed extreme air leakage. In addition there was no provision for solar control in the majority of openings. All the above resulted in high energy consumption for conditioning the building throughout the year.

Another problem addressed by the practice is the low rate of energy upgrades in existing buildings across the country. Building owners, engineers and contractors are not aware of the available energy saving systems and materials or are reluctant to use them as they are unfamiliar with the processes involved or the expected benefits. 

6.5 Target of the practice

The practice aims to educate and sensitise the public on the issue of energy saving in buildings through demonstrating available and mature solutions and technologies. The completion of the project also coincides with the launch of a subsidy programme by the Ministry of Development for energy upgrades on existing buildings. In this way the practice will function as a pilot project. In addition the promotion of benefits linked with energy saving building solutions will lead to a greater demand of such products and services thus stimulating, in the long-term, the sustainable building sector.

6.6 Target groups

The groups targeted through the practice are building owners as well as engineers and contractors working in the building sector.

6.7. Detailed content of the practice (incl. process and methods used)

With EPDB coming into force in Greece CRES decided to proceed with a pilot project setting the example of a good practice for the energy upgrade of an existing building. The Administration building was selected as the oldest building owned by CRES and also the one with the highest energy needs. It is also a building open to the public that is often visited by representatives of the state, engineers and school students attending events organised by CRES.

The project started with an energy audit monitoring the building’s current behaviour, followed by an energy study that examined the optimum upgrades on the envelope of the building. State of the art thermal simulation software was used for the study. The final proposal included:

- the application of 5cm of extruded polystyrene (XPS) on all external walls (external thermal insulation composite system – ETICS)

- the addition of 10 cm of XPS on all roofs,

- the replacement of all windows and doors with new units featuring aluminium frames with thermal break and double, low-e glazing offering both insulation and solar control

- the construction of a small green roof

After the study was finalised a group of building material manufacturers offered to implement the project following the specifications given in the study. The sponsors provided all the materials needed and covered all labour costs. During several meetings the engineers of both CRES and the participating companies collaborated and exchanged know – how in order to determine the optimum solutions and detailing for a range of practical problems. All the techniques used should be based on mature technologies, readily available in the market so that the practice could be easily reproduced in a wide scale.

After construction is finalised a number of dissemination activities are planed in order to inform the public including:

- seminars and presentations

- printed material

- publication of technical articles

- presentation through CRES’ website

6.8. Financial framework

The cost of the construction is sponsored by the companies Polykem, Isomat, Dow and Alumil.

7. EVALUATION

7.1. Results and outputs of the practice

Average energy saving for cooling and heating of the building 40%

7.2. Main strengths

Among the strengths of the project is that it served as an opportunity for both research and application engineers to interact and share resources adding to the know-how and experience of all parties involved. In addition the practice will reach a wide part of the public due to CRES’ experience on dissemination and educational activities and to the fact that it involves a building open to the public.

7.3 Lessons learned from the practice

Through the project the importance of full scale pilot projects was once again proven. Many building owners and engineers had heard of energy saving measures in buildings but never had the chance to see an application up close and be informed about it and other available options.

7.4 Recommendations for improvement:

The upgrade of the building can be completed in a second phase by implementing energy saving measures through the retrofitting of building systems such as the lighting and HVAC systems.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

http://www.cres.gr

II. TRANSFERABILITY OF THE PRACTICE

8. KEY FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REGIONAL CONTEXT

The Energy Upgrade of the Administration Building of C.R.E.S was successful as it refers to a market were mature technological solutions are available, however, the groups involved still lack in awareness and experience.

9. OTHER KEY FACTORS FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE GOOD PRACTICE

The necessary applications should be readily available in the market of the region in question, along with engineers and contractors familiar with the principles of sustainability and the techniques involved.

10. GENERAL JUDGEMENT OF THE PRACTICE

10.1. Degree of Innovation   +

10.2. Transferability              ++

10.3. Cost/benefit ratio        ++

11. 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 Vicky Sagia

Tel: +302106607427

E-mail: vsagia@cres.gr

b) Mr Kostas Laskos

Tel:+302106607413

E-mail:  klaskos@cres.gr

c) Dr Dimitris Papastefanakis

Tel:+302106603245

E-mail: dpapas@cres.gr

Az első témakörben a brit partnerrégió biogyógyászati klaszterének fejlődését elemzik. A női vállalkozókat leginkább foglalkoztató kérdésekről ugyancsak a britek ígérnek izgalmas előadást, a máramarosiak pedig várhatóan Debrecenben döntenek saját egyesületük létrehozásáról. A vállalkozások és a felsőoktatási intézmények közötti tudástranszferrel kapcsolatban a Debreceni Egyetem és a Nagybányai Egyetem képviselői ismertetik eredményeiket és terveiket. Valamennyi témához kapcsolódva óhatatlanul szó lesz a mindenkit érintő válságról. A Mini Europe partnerrégióknak meggyőződése, hogy a vállalkozói készségek fejlesztése mellett a talpon maradást és a fellendülést is segíti a 2011 augusztusában záruló projekt keretében a kkv-k számára létrejövő stabil innovációs infrastruktúra.

További jó hír, hogy a mostani Kreatív Workshopnak folytatása is lesz: 2010. szeptember 27-28-án ugyancsak Debrecenben találkoznak a projektben érdekelt európai régiók képviselői.

A Kreatív Workshop programja innen, regisztrációs lapja pedig innen tölthető le.

UK based research from 2009 on the current experiences and needs of women entrepreneurs:

The key findings are:

■Women’s business turnovers have been disproportionately affected to men’s: they fell by 48% compared to an average drop of 18.5% amongst all entrepreneurs in 2009.
■Women’s entrepreneurs are generally less confident about the macroeconomic climate than they were a year ago and they are more likely to be looking for finance than men.
■Yet despite the obvious challenges they face, women’s businesses are as productive as their male counterparts, create the same number of jobs and expect their turnover and the number of jobs they create to grow by the same amount as men.

The full report can be found here: COGS 2009: A Focus on Women Entrepreneurs

The Mini Europe Creative Workshop will take place in the beginning of June 2010 in Debrecen, Hungary. Its focus will be on creative presentations and round table discussions which provide participants with the right blend of inspiration to progress the development of regional enterprises and business of the 8 Mini Europe partner regions and its stakeholders.

The three main themes of the event will cover different aspects of supporting innovation and entrepreneurship. During the morning, short presentations of various international speakers will be held about cluster development, women entrepreneurs and knowledge transfer in order to boost innovation. In the afternoon, round table discussions will be organized around these topics.

For more information, please contact Ms. Zsófia MÜNNICH (zsofia.munnich@eszakalfold.hu)

You can download the Programme by clicking here!

During the conference, Andries Greiner, monitoring board chairman of Mini Europe, thanked the Romanian partners for their great hospitality. He also expressed his gratitude to the Swedish partners, for bringing Summer Entrepreneur to his region, Flevoland. Summer Entrepreneur is a programme in which young people are supported to start a mini business during the summer time, as an alternative for a summer job. The programme will also be imported by Veneto and Western Greece. Bert Gijsberts, as an entrepreneur and a member of Elca (the European Landscape Contractors Association), emphasized in his speech the importance of European cooperation for economic growth and innovation. This was highly supported by  Mihai Patrascu, director of Baia Mare airport and advisor of Maramures’ president.

During the workshops, three themes were discussed; ‘Is cluster development an effective way to boost economic development?’ ‘Does the existing infrastructure reflect the needs of young and female entrepreneurs?’ and ‘What can regional governments do better from the perspective of entrepreneurs?’ Concerning cluster development, one of the conclusions was that they should develop around a real need. A cluster should ideally start with cooperating companies and not be a top down process. Clustering is not a short term project, but a process that takes time and patience. Good practice exchanges between the regions can help to get through the development process more quickly.

Concerning the workshop about young and female entrepreneurs, it was concluded that female business networks can be a powerful tool to stimulate female driven businesses. The women entrepreneurs from Maramures, who aren’t organised in a business network yet, will try to come to Hungary in June this year for a good practice exchange on female business associations. Concerning the last workshop, one of the conclusions was that entrepreneurs need to be involved in an early stage of policy development, which is not always the case now.