Policy Paper

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This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union under the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme

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Disclaimer

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union under the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme. The contents of this document are under the sole responsibility of STS-Med Consortium and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or of the Programme’s management structures.

The total budget of STS-Med project is 4.953.513 Euro and it is financed for an amount of 4.458.162 Euro by the European Union through the ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme (www.enpicbcmed.eu).

The Programme

The 2007-2013 ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme is a multilateral Cross-Border Cooperation initiative funded by the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). The Programme objective is to promote the sustainable and harmonious cooperation process at the Mediterranean Basin level by dealing with the common challenges and enhancing its endogenous potential. It finances cooperation projects as a contribution to the economic, social, environmental and cultural development of the Mediterranean region. The following 14 countries participate in the Programme: Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Palestinian Authority, Portugal, Spain, Syria, Tunisia. The Joint Managing Authority (JMA) is the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy). Of�icial Programme languages are Arabic, English, French and Greek.

Launched in May 2011, the strategic call focused six topics chosen by the Joint Monitoring Committee based on their potential for the development of cooperation in the Mediterranean area. These are: agro-food industry, sustainable tourism, integrated coastal zone management, water management, waste treatment and recycling, solar energy. Out of 300 proposals presented, 19 projects were approved for funding. Total value of these operations is € 82.5 million (€ 74.1 million ENPI contribution).

The European Union The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.

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Table of contents FOREWORD ................................................................................................................................................. 5

1. STS-Med and the participating countries energy policies ...................................................................... 6

2. ENPI CBC MED projects on renewable energies: a chance for a synergistic approach ...................... 11

2.1 DIDSOLIT-PB ................................................................................................................................... 12

2.2 SHAAMS ........................................................................................................................................... 13

2.3 MED-SOLAR .................................................................................................................................... 13

2.4 RELS.................................................................................................................................................. 14

2.5 MED DESIRE ................................................................................................................................... 14

2.6 FOSTEr in MED ................................................................................................................................ 15

3. National and regional programmes impacted by STS-Med outcomes ................................................. 16

3.1 Regional Innovation Strategies and Structural Funds Operative Plans ............................................. 16

3.2 Covenant of Mayor ............................................................................................................................ 18

4. International projects linked with STS-Med ........................................................................................ 19

4.1 Med .................................................................................................................................................... 19

4.2 FP7, Horizon 2020 and COSME ....................................................................................................... 20

5. Relevant international networks for STS-Med ..................................................................................... 26

5.1 Enterprise Europe Network ................................................................................................................ 26

5.2 ENoLL ................................................................................................................................................ 26

5.3 SDSN .................................................................................................................................................. 27

5.4 SE4ALL ............................................................................................................................................. 27

5.5 ISES .................................................................................................................................................... 28

5.6 ENERGIA .......................................................................................................................................... 28

6. Relevant EU platforms for STS-Med ................................................................................................... 29

6.1 ECTP and the E2B committee ............................................................................................................ 29

6.2 EERA ................................................................................................................................................. 29

6.3 RHC (Renewable Heating & Cooling) ............................................................................................... 29

6.4 BPIE ................................................................................................................................................... 29

6.5 EuroACE ............................................................................................................................................ 30

7. Opportunities from innovative public procurement and innovative business models for energy ........ 31

8. A new cultural approach to energy themes in community-led innovation processes ........................... 33

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FOREWORD

This paper intends to give an overview of the results achieved by STS-Med project at the policy level, identifying the projects and initiatives which they have been connected to and the programmes and action plans - at the international, national, regional and local scale - in which they can be mainstreamed, to ensure the replicability of project experience, the full exploitation of its achievements, the sustainability of the infrastructures realized, and in general the extended adoption of Concentrated Solar multigenerative systems in the Mediterranean countries.

The dialogue with policy-makers has been an ongoing process over the project duration. It started with a collective effort of data collection and analysis, needed to build a coherent vision of the present and future demand; after a comparative research, a field analysis has been performed to get a quantitative estimation of the market potential of small/medium sized CS multigenerative systems applied to public premises, with a significant number of energy audits to get a qualification of the typical sites in the different regions.

Paying specific attention to the public buildings demand, all the relevant information in the countries involved has been collected from available data, integrating the market scenario with interviews, questionnaires and focus group meetings with plant owners and managers, energy professionals and SMEs. The technology offer has been analyzed on a global perspective and a market model has been sketched, summarizing the actual and forecasted market drivers. The regulatory issues, including public procurement discipline, have been evaluated both for their actual impact and for their possible role to boost the market. The progressive adoption of renewable sources and their mix is strongly depending upon a combination of policies impacting both the industry side and the market/users side.

A set of case studies showing the different issues and possibilities of CS multigenerative systems has been identified at a variable extent in the different countries concerned and characterized in terms of successful implementation, lessons learnt and raised issues. They have been preliminary identified according to the criteria of accessibility, sustainability, technical feasibility and relevance to STS-Med objectives. The set of case studies collected has been assessed as a benchmark pattern of CS toolbox of STS-Med.

It has been a collective action where different stakeholders have shared their knowledge and reflections to improve project implementation, as well as to put forward recommendations for the decision-making levels and for converging lessons learnt at local and regional level into a macro-regional strategic perspective.

The consultation of policy makers has also taken place during the phase of the technical design and technology choices, of training technical and managerial profiles, of installation of demonstrative facilities and early validation of results from testing. This has been facilitated from the direct participation in the partnership of regional and national public authorities and energy agencies from Egypt, Jordan, Italy and France. In addition, other connections with the institutional levels in charge for energy policies at local level have been established, as witnessed from the stakeholders’ database and the agreements established.

It must be underlined that the cross-border collaboration among the public authorities involved in the project in the different countries has been fruitful and positive even during the phases of political instability and international crisis, being meant not just as an added value to the project implementation, but as the key for pooling and multiplying individual efforts towards a common objective (clean energy from the solar source for citizens’ quality of life improvement).

The project confirmed over the past four years the capacity to anticipate and properly address the policies, launched by the EU, the Member States and the Mediterranean Partner countries, with regard to incentives to technologies from renewable energy sources, particularly from the solar source. At the national and regional level, STS-Med has shown relevance to Smart Specialization Strategies and ERDF Operative Plans 2014-2020 in Italy, Cyprus and Greece. STS-Med is in line with EU recommendations in its most recent papers (such as 2016 update to Energy Efficiency Directive) and with the implementation of Covenant of Mayor initiative. Furthermore, STS-Med outcomes are coherent with Jordan Energy Strategy 2007-2020, planning to increase the share of RES in the energy mix up to 10% and to support projects contributing to reach this target, and with Egypt Energy Strategy and 2014 Renewable Energy Law, fostering a contribution of renewable energies up to 20% of the total electricity generation by 2020.

Finally, STS-Med distinctive feature of the community engagement and empowerment in the energy transition and in building a shared energy vision has spread out a new cultural approach to energy issues, deeply rooted in local communities and closely linked with their needs.

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1. STS-Med and the participating countries energy policies In a preliminary scenario analysis, it was outlined that in the Mediterranean countries, although a thriving industry, CS Power technology is still dependant on government support for growth, given the fact that it is still much more expensive than energy produced by fossil fuels. The most significant cost/benefit performances are likely to come about by innovations in solar field design, from the integration between thermal and electrical applications, downsizing to medium/small integrated power/thermal installations, hybridization with backups (gas or biomass burners).

Within the review of the policies for energy efficiency in the countries participating in STS-MED Project, the main items referred to were: energy price reform, energy efficiency laws, renewable energy strategy development and the support from energy agencies.

As for energy price reform, in Italy energy prices (especially electricity prices) are, on average, higher than Europe’s and much higher than those of the United States. This is due to several structural reasons: a) the current energy mix, in particular for electricity, is fairly costly because it is based primarily on gas and renewables; b) wholesale gas prices are on average higher in Italy than in other European countries; c) there are several other costs due to public policies backed by fuel tariffs and widespread inefficiencies; d) Italy has the highest incentives in Europe for renewable production (over 20% of the Italian electricity bill, taxes excluded, goes to cover incentives for production from renewable).

In Jordan, until 2003 energy prices were low, sustained by concessionary oil from Iraq. There are now no subsidies; petroleum products are sold at international prices plus a tax. After 2012, the oil derivatives are based on international prices except the subsidies for home gas cylinder. Electricity is not subsidized overall, but there are cross-subsidies in favor of rural areas.

In Cyprus, the renewable targets are calculated as the share of renewable consumption to gross final energy consumption. Renewable consumption comprises the direct use of renewable (e.g. bio fuels) plus the part of electricity and heat that is produced from renewable (e.g. wind, hydro), while final energy consumption is the energy that households, industry, services, agriculture and the transport sector use. The denominator for the RES share includes also distribution losses for electricity and heat and the consumption of these fuels in the process of producing electricity and heat. What is unique about Cyprus is: its country status of an energy isolated island; high cost and not guaranteed energy supply; a strong correlation with oil imports; seasonal fluctuations of energy demand (very hot summer, large flow of tourism); small market. The use of RES, apart from the environmental benefit, will lower the dependency from oil suppliers and will lower the cost of energy transport to rural areas.

In Egypt, the prices are fixed by the Egyptian government and apply in equal manner to all regions. Electricity is highly subsidized. Since October 2004, several electricity tariffs were raised, by an average of 8.6 %, for the first time since 1992 and further 5 % increases were set for all electricity customers for each of the following five years. The last increase took place in November 2008. In 2008, the rise summed up to 7.5 %, including an additional 2.5 %-increase caused by high oil prices. While the increase in some segments exceeded 18 %, prices of the first segment of domestic consumption – less than 50 kWh per month, mainly composed of low income families. The highest increase was seen for the residential consumers with a demand of >1000 kWh/ month. The governmental plan was meant to gradually accommodate the electricity prices to the actual cost of the electricity system. However, taking into consideration annual inflation rates exceeding 5 %, these increases may not be enough. The new electricity law is supposed to specify the main principles of price regulation such as the ones mentioned above.

As for energy efficiency legislation, main Italian programmes linked with RES (Renewable Energy Systems) and RUE (Rational Use of Energy) are directed to reduce GHG emissions, to improve transport efficiency and to disseminate RUE and RES culture and technologies. The authorization process for large plants, due to the complexity of the Italian territory, remains the main problem for the take-off of the CSP market in the country. The foreseen of application in Italy of solar thermal technologies in large-sized plants for the production of electricity were limited, because of the optimal conditions for their operation. Moreover, the use of large flat areas and well served by transport infrastructure and power grids sometimes collides with alternative uses, such as tourism or agriculture. The Italian legislation in the past few years has produced several acts and decrees, both at national and regional level, to govern the adoption of renewable energy sources. The most important are the following:

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• Guidelines for implementing the Law Decree 29 December 2003, nr. 387: authorizations for set-up and operation of plants for electricity production from RES and technical guidelines for the plants

• Ministry of Economic Development Decree 11 April 2008 and Implementation act: incentives to the production of electric energy from solar source through thermodynamic cycles

• Ministry of Economic Development Decree 5 July 2012 (implementing Law Decree n.28, 3 March 2011): incentives to the production of electric energy from photovoltaic solar systems (Quinto Conto Energia)

• Ministry of Economic Development Decree 28 December 2012: national objectives of energy saving for distribution of gas and electric energy and strengthening the mechanism of ‘white certificates’

• Ministry of Economic Development Decree 28 December 2012: incentives to the production of thermal energy from renewable sources and to small scale energy efficiency actions (Conto Energia Termico).

In Jordan, the main relevant legal framework for REEE is the 2012 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Law (passed in February 2010 and approved in 2012). The Law reflects the general past attitude of the government towards the RE sector. The suggested RE & EE Fund (REEF) may provide the opportunity for the government to reassume its leading role in developing the sub sector. This will depend on the size of the fund and the way assets are allocated to the envisioned activity windows such as equity participation, grants, tariff subsidy, interest rates subsidy and most importantly RE vs. EE projects.

In Cyprus, in order to implement the 2009/28/EC DIRECTIVE, Cyprus parliament adopted a series of laws to encourage the use of RES and energy preservation: N33(I)/2003, N234A(I)/2004, N139(I)/2005, N162(I)/2006, N33(I)/2007. These laws founded a repository to subsidize the use of RES. Also they set the use of origin certificate for the energy, when it is claimed to be from RES. At the same time a ministerial order in 2006 sets the conditions and restrictions on the use of single air turbines, wind farms and photovoltaic systems. For example, it defines: the place where such installations are allowed; their size; the minimum spacing between them; the permits needed; environmental and aesthetic issues. A government circular in 2008 defines which photovoltaic systems are excluded from planning permits. Some years later the parliament (ΚΔΠ124/2011) excluded photovoltaic up to 20kW, installed in buildings with valid permits, from obtaining a building permit.

In Egypt, the most important instrument to implement the energy strategy is the New Electricity Law, which is going to establish a liberalized electricity market with various market participants, to improve the conditions for renewable energy, cogeneration and demand side management in the electricity sector and to provide some rules for electricity consumption and includes measures to encourage renewable energy electricity production. With regard to renewable energy electricity generation, the law foresees that the private sector builds, owns and operates the projects and sells the electricity to the transmission company (EETC) under long term Power Purchase Agreements (PPA). Non-renewable energy based Independent Power Producers (IPPs) conclude bilateral purchase agreements with eligible consumers.

As far as strategies for renewable energy are concerned, in Italy in 2013, after a broad public consultation with stakeholders in the energy sector, the Italian Government has drawn the National Energy Strategy (NES) that sets out clearly the main goals to be pursued in the coming years, that describes the basic decisions to be taken and establishes the priorities of action in the energy context. Italy considers energy efficiency, renewable sources and emission reduction as top priorities of the new energy strategy. The targets expected to be achieved by 2020 (assuming economic growth to be in line with the latest European Commission forecasts) are as follows:

• the wholesale prices of all energy sources – electricity, gas and fuels – will be aligned with European price levels ;

• expenditure on energy imports will be reduced by about €14 billion/year (from the present €62 billion), and dependency on foreign supplies from 84% to 67%, thanks to energy efficiency, increased production from renewables, lower electricity imports and increased production from national resources ;

• €180 billion will be invested between now and 2020 in the green and the white economies (renewables and energy efficiency) and in traditional sectors (electricity and gas networks, re-gasification plants, storage, hydrocarbon development). These will be private investments, partly supported by incentives, and are expected to generate positive economic returns for the country. Greenhouse gas emissions will fall by about 19%, exceeding the European targets for Italy, set at 18% below the 2005 emission levels ;

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• renewable energy sources will account for 20% of gross final consumption (compared with about 10% in 2010). This is equivalent to 23% of primary energy consumption, while fossil fuel use will fall from 86% to 76%. Furthermore, it is expected that renewables will become the primary source in the electricity sector, equivalent to, or slightly overtaking, gas, to account for about 36-38% of consumption (compared with 23% in 2010) ;

• primary consumption will fall by about 24% by 2020 compared with the reference scenario (an estimated 4% below 2010 levels); this exceeds the European objectives of -20%, thanks mainly to energy efficiency measures.

In Jordan, the ambitious Energy Strategy targets to increase the contribution of renewable energy sources to the national energy supply by 7% by 2015 and 10% by 2020, including 600-1000 MW from Wind Energy, 300-600 MW from Solar Energy and 30-50 MW from Waste to Energy. As per the Energy Master Plan, 30% of all households are expected to be equipped with solar water heating system by the year 2020. It is also planning to have solar desalination plants. According to the national strategy the planned installed capacity will amount to 300MW – 600MW (CSP, PV and hybrid power plants) by 2020.

The Energy sector in Cyprus is still dominated by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus which has been responsible for the production and distribution of electricity throughout the country since the early ‘50s. Liberalization of the sector is only a recent development following the European model where production and distribution are separately regulated. Even so there is still no other major player in the supply side other than a few large wind farms and a few large industrial firms producing and consuming their own electricity. A few other RES power plants of up to 50MW are at the EIA stage but whether they will materialize remains to be seen. And of course there is the multiplicity of small photovoltaic units up to 150kW connected to the grid which has sprung up since the introduction of the first incentive schemes.

Egypt has a national energy strategy adopted at the level of the energy policy committee of the governing party. The strategy covers the diversification of the energy mix, higher energy efficiency, a reform of the electricity and the oil and natural gas markets and reduction of energy subsidies. The renewable energy strategy is a fundamental part of the national energy strategy. Egypt’s role emerged during the past few years as a regional leader in the field of exploiting wind energy in electricity generation in the Middle East & Africa. Accordingly, in line with the general framework of energy policies in Egypt, the Supreme Council of Energy in Egypt announced the strategy for the electricity generation based on diversifying energy sources of production, rationalizing the use of energy and expanding use of renewable energy sources as a component of energy provision. The strategy, which was approved in February 2008, aims to a contribution of renewable energies by 20% of the total electricity generation by the year 2020 and to a share contribution of the grid connected wind power up to 12% of the total electricity generation, i.e., reaching more than 7200 MW grid-connected wind farms while the remaining will be from mainly hydro (8%) and solar energy (2%). In July 2012, an Egyptian Solar Plan has been approved by the Cabinet which targeting to install about 3500 MW by 2027 (2800 MW - CSP− 700 MW – PV) with private investment share of 67% including enhancement of relevant local industry.

In almost all the countries concerned, specialized institutions to carry out research, prepare initiatives, draft regulations, monitor progress, ensure compliance, administer funds for energy policies play a key role in promoting renewable technologies.

In Italy, support schemes for RES are managed by Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE – Manager of Energy Services). Furthermore, GSE shall manage the sale of renewable energy on request, and interested parties can make use of net-metering. Autorità per l’energia elettrica e il gas (AEEG) – Regulatory Authority for Electricity and Gas is the independent body which regulates, controls and monitors the electricity and gas markets in Italy. It has been established by the law n.481/1995, with the purpose to protect the interests of users and consumers, promote competition and ensure efficient, cost-effective and profitable nationwide services with satisfactory quality levels. Aeeg mission includes defining and maintaining a reliable and transparent tariff system, reconciling the economic goals of operators with general social objectives, and promoting environmental protection and the efficient use of energy. It provides an advisory and reporting service to the government and formulates observations and recommendations concerning issues in the regulated sectors of electricity and gas. Finally, ENEA – National Agency for new technologies, energy and sustainable development provides support to public administrations, information and training, in its role of National Agency for Energy Efficiency fosters development of advanced technologies for energy and industry,

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carries out studies and research for electric power saving, under a framework agreement with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. ENEA activities in the field of renewable energy sources are mainly centred upon research, innovation, and technology transfer. The Agency also provides advanced services contributing to both decreasing CO2 emissions and the national energy dependence on fossil sources, and increasing Italy’s economic competitiveness.

In Jordan, NERC - National Energy Research Center is essentially a research institute and does not have a clear mandate to implement government policy in the field or to initiate development activities.

There is not a dedicated agency in Cyprus for the promotion of renewable energy sources. Cyprus Institute which is a research institute develops several related activities towards the promotion of RES in the island in collaboration of Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Research funding is also available through the mechanisms of the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation which an increasing number of industry and other nonacademic researchers are finding “user unfriendly”.

The Egyptian Supreme Council of Energy (SCE) provides guidance to reform the energy sector, establishes and implements the national energy strategy. Main activities include the issuing of decrees to support renewable energy development, removing market barriers such as reforming subsidies and supporting market initiatives through incentives schemes. The New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) acts as the national focal point for developing renewable energy technologies in Egypt on a commercial scale and implementing renewable energy programmes.

Finally, as concerns financial incentives for the adoption of renewables, in Italy investors in RET, affecting plant development in Italy, belong to three categories: i) industrial operators, such as IPP (Independent Power Producer ) and multi-utilities; ii) investment companies, private equity funds and financial holding companies; iii) real estate investment trusts, insurance companies, asset management companies. The share of investments due to foreign investors, mainly Swiss, French and Chinese is very significant, amounting to about 116 MW. In recent years the number of individual transactions has increased portfolios of smaller plants. Industrial operators, investors and policy makers have begun to evaluate possible applications of PV grid parity, studying solutions that ensure an adequate economic return for investors even in the absence of tariffs on the energy produced and they are looking for competitive CSP solutions. The focus of the main operators in Italy, as EPC and System Integrator, is directed towards the market of management services and maintenance (O&M), which seem more dynamic than the development and installation of large plants. As for heating systems, the current support mechanisms and incentive schemes are:

• tax relief of 55% on costs incurred for the installation of heat pumps, solar thermal systems or biomass systems;

• the obligation for new buildings, not yet fully operational, to cover a quota (50%) of their energy needs for domestic hot water with renewable sources, as well as using renewable energy systems for electricity production;

• tax relief measures for users connected to district heating networks using geothermal sources or biomass;

• energy efficiency credits scheme, applicable to technologies such as solar thermal systems, biomass boilers and heat pumps, , including geothermal heat pumps;

• incentives to the production of thermal energy from renewable sources and to small scale energy efficiency action;

• excise duty exemption for solid biomass used to fuel domestic boilers.

As for electricity production, the principal support mechanisms in force are:

• incentive schemes for electricity produced by plants using renewable sources through the green certificate scheme, based on a minimum quota of new electricity production from renewable sources;

• incentive scheme based on fixed all-inclusive tariffs for electricity fed into the grid by renewable energy plants with a maximum power output of 1 MW (0.2 MW for wind energy), as an alternative to the green certificates;

• incentive scheme for photovoltaic and solar thermodynamic plants through the feed-in tariff mechanism;

• simplified means of selling energy produced and fed into the grid at fixed market prices;

• possibility of placing greater value on energy produced through the net metering mechanism for plants with a maximum power output of 200 kW;

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• dispatch priority for renewable sources;

• connection to the electricity network within preset deadlines and under advantageous conditions for plant operators.

The socalled “Conti Energia”, approved over the years, have acted as catalyzers for reaching the grid-parity which as a matter of fact is already in force for plants up to 200 kW and beyond 5 Mw. The incentive system envisaged in the last “Conto Energia” pays back also the solar thermodynamic system (CS).

In Jordan the RE&EE law is a temporary law to facilitate and speed up actions envisioned by the National Strategy. The suggested RE & EE Fund (REEEF) may provide the opportunity for the government to reassume its leading role in developing the sub sector. Another critical issue to be considered in operating the Fund is the financing scale required for RE vs. EE, the former generally being more finance (subsidy) intensive than the latter.

In Cyprus, an issue regarding policy integration has emerged as there is a fairly recent investment in a new fossil fuel power plant creating excess capacity. Until 2005, measures that proactively supported renewable energy production, such as the New Grant Scheme, were not very ambitious. In 2006, a New Enhanced Grant Scheme was agreed upon and has been expanded since. The leading RES in Cyprus is Domestic thermal Solar, PV, large wind power parks and some biogas. Electricity from renewable sources is mostly promoted through a combination of a subsidy scheme and premium tariff. Apart from that, Cyprus has inaugurated a fresh scheme for PV installations introducing reverse metering on a large scale. Renewable energy sources for heating and cooling purposes are also eligible for a subsidy. Access of electricity from renewable energy sources to the grid shall be granted according to the principle of non-discrimination. With regard to the use of the grid, renewable energy shall be given priority. Grid development is a matter of central planning (Transmission Grid Development Plan 2007-2016 by the Cypriot TSO). There is a number of policies aiming at promoting the development, installation and use of RES facilities.

To ensure the involvement of the private sector in realizing the goal of 20% of generated electricity by renewable energy by 2020, the Supreme Council of Energy in Egypt has established a comprehensive incentive scheme targeting private sector needs through the adoption of a new electricity law in April 2007. It was completed by a set of resolutions in July 2009. Two incentive mechanisms, detailed below, have been adopted to increase private sector participation in the development of renewable energies:

• Power Purchase agreement (PPA): the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) guarantees to buy the electricity for a 20-25 years period at a tariff set on a case-by-case basis between the grid operator and the power producer. The Central Bank of Egypt guarantees all financial obligations contracted by the EETC.

• Feed-in tariffs (FiT): Egypt plans to implement FiTs for small and medium projects with maximum capacities of 50 MW for a total renewable energy generation of 2,500 MW. The objectives of this mechanism are, firstly, to support the local private sector while maximizing the impact on the local economy. Secondly, it encourages energy-intensive industries to produce their own energy at a competitive price and thus reduce their carbon footprint. In order to meet the electricity demand the Government has been implementing an ambitious power supply program with investment projects which have been part of the 2007-2014 plan.

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2. ENPI CBC MED projects on renewable energies: a chance for a synergistic approach

The ENPI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin programme, approved by European Commission Decision in 2008, chose energy as one of its pillars.

The SWOT analysis in the programme has identified the potentialities of the concerned area, which include, among others, the growing regional role in the framework of energy flows.

Participating countries agreed to define four specific priorities fitting the process of cooperation in the Mediterranean area. The second priority concerned the promotion of environmental sustainability at the Basin level, pursued through the preservation of natural common heritage, the reduction of risk factors for the environment, the improvement of energy efficiency and the promotion of the use of renewable energy sources. It was addressed from three measures, one of them (Measure 2.2) specifically focused on the promotion of renewable energy use and improvement of energy efficiency contributing to addressing, among other challenges, climate change.

Energy resources and energy flows have played and still play a key role in the North-South relations across the Mediterranean. Euro-Mediterranean Ministers agreed to work for the continuous gradual integration of Euro-Mediterranean energy markets, the development of energy projects of common interest and of sustainable energy, in accordance with national development plans and programmes, especially in increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix of the Mediterranean region1.

Scientific research has identified three major problems related to the built environment in big cities, notably energy consumption of buildings, energy poverty and local climate change and has devised a roadmap to impact through appropriate energy policies on all these issues, highlighting the interrelated nature and characteristics of the three sectors and transforming the actual problems into opportunities and appropriate drivers for future urban sustainable development.

The development of a sustainable renewable energy policy would also contribute to climate change mitigation. An integrated approach to minimize the energy consumption of buildings, eradicate the energy poverty and mitigate the local climate change through the zero-concept applied to building has been investigated, especially in the areas where the climate change is more stressing the traditional energy generation and distribution models2 .

Diversification of energy sources using renewable and the improvement of energy performance require an evolution not only in the way of producing and consuming energy, supported by technology innovation, but also in a change of behavior.

For this reason, the actions encouraged under Measure 2.2 of the Programme concerned both development of cross-border innovative activities to spread the use of renewable energies and energy efficiency in the public and private sectors and awareness-raising and sensitization initiatives on the rational use of energy resources.

Under the two calls for Standard Projects, four projects (three within the first Call, one within the second Call) were funded under Measure 2.2:

• Réseau d’Action en matière de Mobilité Urbaine Durable (RAMUD) • Rénovation Energétique des Logements (RELS) • Production of biodiesel from Algae in selected Mediterranean Countries (MED-ALGAE) • Green Energy for Green Companies (GR.ENE.CO)

In particular RELS project dealt with energy renovation in the residential sector, improving building thermal and energy performance, defining a methodology of intervention in technical area (architecture and engineering), management (relationship between developers, managers and users) and financing (installation and management resources), whereas GR.ENE.CO project aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to improve energy efficiency by adopting renewable energy as main power source at farm level, to be reached through the implementation of several forms of renewable energy - biofuel, biomass, solar, wind and hydro power – in farms.

1 Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme 2007-2013, approved by European Commission Decision n. C (2008) 4242 of August 14th 2008 (www.enpicbcmed.eu/programme/documents ) 2 Santamouris, M., Solar Energy (2016).

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Under the Call for Strategic projects, launched in May 2011, Priority 2 was split into three topics:

1. Waste treatment and recycling 2. Water management 3. Solar energy

A specific attention was thus paid in the Terms of Reference to the relevance of solar technologies and policies for the Euro-Mediterranean region. Initiatives concerning technology mapping, assessment, development and transfer were fostered with two specific objectives:

A. Promotion and implementation of innovative technologies and know-how transfer B. Raising public awareness on energy efficiency through the transferability and implementation of

good practices

Six strategic projects were funded under this Call for the Priority 2, Topic 2.3:

• Development and implementation of decentralised solar energy-related innovative technolgies for public buildings in the Mediterranean Basin countries (DIDSOLIT-PB)

• Fostering Solar Technology in the Mediterranean area (FOSTEr in MED) • Machrek Energy Development-Solar (MED-Solar) • Mediterranean Development of Support schemes for solar Initiatives and Renewable Energies (MED-

DESIRE) • Strategic Hubs for the Analysis and Acceleration of the Mediterranean Solar Sector (SHAAMS) • Small scale thermal solar district units for Mediterranean communities (STS-Med)

In order to identify and cultivate synergies between the strategic projects under the same priority/topic, a capitalization and knowledge-sharing process of the most significant experiences, valuable practices and achievements has been launched by ENPI CBC MED Joint Managing Authority in 2012.

At project level, exchanges of information among the projects were encouraged and facilitated by the Programme Officers, in order to maximize dissemination of results and set up new alliances for follow-up activities, in the view to the new ENI 2014-2020 Programme.

Here below other ENPI CBC MED projects in the same thematic cluster are described, highlighting the synergies identified with STS-Med and potential for future collaboration.

2.1 DIDSOLIT-PB

Development & Implementation of Decentralised Solar Energy-Related Innovative Technologies for Public Buildings in the Mediterranean Basin Countries

DIDSOLIT brought together seven partners from the regions of Catalonia (Spain), Crete & Western Greece (Greece), Marsha‐Matruh & Al‐Iskandanyah (Egypt), Al-Balga & Irbid (Jordan) to promote and implement innovative technologies and transfer know‐how in the field of decentralised, small scale, solar energy systems that might be integrated in public buildings/premises, through cross‐border public‐private partnership and cooperation.

The project focused on solar technologies already available in the market, although some of them in a pre/first-commercial stage or in a larger scale. It aimed at increasing and sharing knowledge of five innovative solar-energy technologies (thermoelectric dish-stirling, thermoelectric parabolic trough, photovoltaic glass-substitute sheets, photovoltaic thin-layer/film sheets, solar cooling), selecting, planning and implementing demonstrative applications, such as:

• building integrated photovoltaic solutions: Photovoltaic glass-substitute sheet sand flexible thin film applications.

• optimizing market-available solar cooling kits by adding them a guided concentrator subsystem. • small scale solar concentration technologies (thermo-electric): dish stirling systems and parabolic trough. • scaling down of market-available systems

The expected results were:

• to improve knowledge on the potential and comparative cost - benefit of the referred innovative technologies for decentralized applications in public buildings, in the environment conditions of Mediterranean Sea Basin countries

• to increase solar power and energy production in the selected buildings

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• to foster cross-border transfer of technologies, know-how and best practices on the above applications. • to facilitate the implementation of public policies to promote solar – energy use's deployment, as well as

the effectiveness ' improvement of the existing ones. • to enhance interest of local private and public stakeholders for decentralized applications of innovative

solar energy systems in public buildings and facilities. • to facilitate the adoption of best practices by stake holders regarding its development and

implementation.

A chart of options of solar energy-related systems was considered, in order to find the most appropriate fit in different buildings and local weather conditions.

Synergies with STS-Med:

DIDSOLIT pilot application in Jordan was hosted in the same University College where STS-Med demonstrative CS unit was installed. This has contributed to the establishment of an outdoor lab of solar technologies, integrating different systems, which would allow cost-benefit analysis, attract investments and nourish educational and training activities.

2.2 SHAAMS Strategic Hubs for the Analysis and Acceleration of the Mediterranean Solar Sector

SHAAMS aimed to raise public awareness on energy efficiency through the transferability and implementation of good practices in legal, regulatory, economic, organizational issues and new financing mechanisms, in order to facilitate the take up of solar technologies in Mediterranean countries.

It brought together twelve organizations from Spain, Italy, France, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, with the goal to:

• establish efficiency-proven governance solutions aimed at identifying innovative, transferable and sustainable solar energy strategies

• promote a cultural, behavioural and operational change towards the success of solar energy-driven solutions

• facilitate the transfer of solar technologies by implementing shared mechanisms and procedures

These objectives were pursued through the definition of shared indicators for solar efficiency, the identification of funding mechanisms to foster the sector development, technology transfer actions, brokerage and awareness raising events, capacity building initiatives and a stakeholders’ platform.

The expected results were:

• policy makers provided with enhanced information and capacities to implement energy efficiency support policies and strategies

• improved private and public agents’ knowledge on solar energy projects, funding and market requirements

• implemented new solar energy-driven solutions resulting from technology transfer activities and brokerage events

• reduced technology gap between the involved regions • increased number of research and training programmes on solar energy developed by local institutions

Synergies with STS-Med:

SHAAMS shared with STS-Med the relevance of the participatory approach and of the integration of public and private contributions to effective governance of innovative energy solutions, as well as the commitment in public sector capacity building.

2.3 MED-SOLAR Machrek Energy Development-Solar

MED-SOLAR aimed to replace the use of polluting and expensive fuel generators against electricity interruption, by installing a solar PV system with a transient storage associated to the generators. When the grid is available, the PV energy is injected to grid; in case of grid interruption, the back-up is guaranteed by the PV system coupled with generator if the PV generation is not enough. A transient storage system would

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secure the continuity of the supply for very short-term variations of generation or the time that the generator switches on.

This would allow to reduce energy costs, decrease the dependence on imported fuel and improve the security of supply through the use of clean energy resources.

The project gathered expertise from Spain, France, Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan. It has carried out R&D activities on innovative PV technologies and detected their regulatory framework, drafted a socio-economic study and set recommendations to demonstrate cost effectiveness of pilot plants and identified financing mechanisms.

Synergies with STS-Med:

The possibility to explore the potential of CS technologies in Palestine has been discussed with the An Najah National University, as well as the implementation of hybrid systems. The bridge between the two project would also be ensured through the participation of C.E.A. (France) in both of them.

2.4 RELS Rénovation Energétique des Logements

The RELS project has been implemented from a partnership among the regions of Catalonia (Spain), Lazio (Italy), Sfax and Tunis (Tunisia), Sardinia (Italy), Aqaba (Jordan). It aimed to improve the thermal and energy performance of residential buildings located in the Mediterranean basin through the promotion of renewable energy solutions and energy efficiency.

The project essentially promoted, through a database called "BAMEP", the most advanced practices in the field of energy renovation and developed a training programme based on shared experiences of different partners for the definition and implementation of pilot projects in Sardinia (Italy), Catalonia (Spain) and Tunisia. The project also targeted the development of the energy renovation of a social housing scheme to be eventually extended to other countries in the region, in the view to set the foundations of a Euro-Mediterranean network for energy renovation. The work envisaged the creation of a best practices database and the creation of a model for energy renovation, including a common methodology for audit, measure selection, implementation and performance validation, tested in seven pilot buildings located in Tunisia, Italy and Spain. Test on selected buildings was focused on thermal insulation (replacement of windows and better external walls insulation for instance), installation of photovoltaic panels or use of LED/CFL light bulbs. Overall, efficiency measures were expected to cut emissions of greenhouse gases and energy consumption in pilot buildings by 20%.

Synergies with STS-Med:

An interesting exchange of know-how between the two projects could concern procedures and practice for building energy performance assessment. Moreover, interactions could be pursued with the H2020 funded project ZEROPLUS (Achieving near Zero and Positive Energy Settlements in Europe using Advanced Energy Technology), in which two STS-Med partner organizations (ARCA, the Beneficiary, and the Cyprus Institute) participate, dealing with the design for new highly energy performing buildings, developing and implementing a comprehensive, cost-effective modular system for Net Zero Energy (NZE) settlements in a series of case studies across the EU.

2.5 MED DESIRE Mediterranean Development of Support schemes for solar Initiatives and Renewable Energies

MED-DESIRE main priority was to remove barriers related to the legal, regulatory, economic and organizational framework of distributed solar energy technologies. It brought together partners from Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Lebanon and Egypt, who shared their efforts to achieve:

• strengthened capacity of public administrations and regional institutions • higher and more diffused competences of local technicians and professionals, facilitating the removal of

the main technical barriers for distributed solar technology • innovative tailored financial mechanisms and market stimulation instruments designed to support the

widespread diffusion of solar energy technologies • strengthened participatory approaches and increased awareness among public and private local

stakeholders

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• a cooperation framework established among providers of energy technologies and services in EU and Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC)

Within MED-DESIRE the partners analysed certification procedures for solar energy technologies in MPC and EU regions and benchmarked policies and programmes focused on solar energy and energy efficiency, set up recommendations and action plans for improving the regulatory frameworks, trained solar energy technicians and professionals to ensure the quality of components and installations, as well as policy makers, devised financial and market incentive tools.

Synergies with STS-Med:

ENEA (Italy) and NREA (Egypt) participated both in STS-Med and MED-DESIRE and could match the advancement in policies to improve public-private partnerships in solar energy, on one side, with the technical advancements applied in pilot units, on the other side. Moreover, the two projects consortia could pool on a repository of case studies and discuss about solar labs certification procedures and financial support tools.

2.6 FOSTEr in MED Fostering Solar Technology in the Mediterranean Area

FOSTEr in MED project aimed to promote the adoption of innovative solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies in the Mediterranean area. It has been implemented by organizations located in Italy, Spain, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia.

The project pursued some important technical achievements, such as five pilot installations in public buildings which increased solar energy consumption through 85 kWp of photovoltaic panels installed. This also implied the transfer and development of design, architectural integration and installation competences. The five plants were located in:

• Sardinia, Italy, at the Regional Agency of public housing (AREA) building, with the replacement of the metallic coating of the towers with photovoltaic modules of different colors and the installation of photovoltaic shading on the facade windows;

• Beirut, Lebanon, at the Industrial Research Institute building of the Lebanese University Campus, providing a system of 30 kWp photovoltaic panels integrated as shading devices at the façade and as coverage of the building canopy;

• Aqaba (Jordan) at the Jordan University , with a BIPV Building-Integrated Photovoltaic system • Alexandria (Egypt) at the Chamber of Commerce Building, with the integration of colored panel on the

roof • Tunis (Tunisia) at the National Center For Trainers' Training and Training engineering, where the pilot

provides the integration of PV plants on the flat rooftop of the building, with the multi-functionality of energy production and architectural element of shadings.

Synergies with STS-Med:

Several exchanges occurred with the University of Cagliari as lead partner of FOSTEr in MED on the technical and scientific sides, such as building integration, hybrid PV/solar thermal, decision support system on energy consumption and needs, as the relevance given to infrastructures to be implemented characterized both projects. Moreover, ASCAME, partner of FOSTEr in MED, facilitated a clustering process among the ENPI projects funded under the solar energy measure, which had its highlight during the MEDA Solar Forum in Barcelona in 2015 and 2016 (in the framework of Mediterranean Week of Economic Leaders) where the coordinators of the different projects met and discussed about lessons learnt and future joint initiatives.

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3. National and regional programmes impacted by STS-Med outcomes

3.1 Regional Innovation Strategies and Structural Funds Operative Plans

At the national and regional level, STS-Med progress impacted on the drafting process of Smart Specialization Strategies and of the ERDF Operative Plans for the period 2014-2020. This can be easily detected in Italy, Greece and Cyprus.

As for Italy (Sicily), the ERDF Operative Plan 2014-2020, Axis 4: Sustainable Energy and Quality of Life includes among its priorities the reduction of energy consumption in public buildings and business activities, the integration of renewable sources, the increase of energy demand share covered by distributed generation, to promote low carbon economy. The Programme aims to contribute effectively to the achievement of targets set for 2020 in the field of energy and climate devoting 24,76% of resources in favor of reducing energy consumption in public buildings and in private enterprises, increasing the production of renewable energy. In particular, thematic objective OT4, Priority 4.c - S.O.4.1 supports energy efficiency, smart energy management, use of renewable energy in public building and residential housing to reduce consumption in facilities for public use.

STS-Med project, in relation to the ERDF O.P.implementation, can contribute through integrated programs at local level (in synergies with the SEAPs) scalable at regional scale. As regards increasing energy efficiency in the public buildings, it can enhance the complementarities with measures of the specific plans for capital cities, targeting the energy selfstanding of buildings and the integration of energy production from renewable sources, also with demonstration actions, and stress the systemic approach to sustainable urban development in which energy requalification of public buildings is embedded,with a specific attention at social awareness and behavioral change.

The project will impact on the policy instrument concerned by:

• eliciting new projects for energy requalification of urban settlements through a public-private approach,in which private investments, as additional to public funds or incentives, would converge,

• designing a roadmap for improved governance models using a holistic approach to the transition to low carbonisation, even beyond the SEAPs targets,

• enhancing active citizenship and public awareness raising to contribute to planning and decision making process,

• fostering a systemic view in which the energy requalification of urban spaces generates a paradigm for urban environment structural change, embedding the technological innovation, social dimension, institutional level and business value generation in one process and getting citizens as the engine of this change.

Support to the identification of positive actions to be launched will be provided in complementarity with the SEAP, the integrated urban development plan, as well as by PON Metro (National Operative Plan for capital cities).

The Energy Report 2015 of Sicilian Region shows a supportive national and regional legislative framework (Decree 26.06.2015 on building energy performance assessment and certification and technical energy requalification of buildings,renewable source plants incentives,tax reliefs for energy efficiency in the construction sector). Energy production from renewable sources is favored in the island from its territorial features and geographic location. As for building energy efficiency, the market still offers spaces both in business terms and in energy saving increase and the climate conditions offer the best opportunity to take action on building stocks to realize near-to-zero emission or positive energy buildings with the contribution of RES. Coherently with 2011 EC Communication “Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050” and with the Covenant of Mayor initiative, the regional administration plans actions to foster the reduction of CO2 emissions through a transformation of the urban environment from the energy side. As residential buildings generate about 40% of total energy end consumption, there is an increasing trend to low environmental impact housing and low household energy consumption, through innovative solutions both in the design and building and in the maintenance, retrofitting and operation phase. The contribution from the municipalities would allow to envisage the achievement of 100% coverage by renewable sources of electric energy need.

As for RIS 3 – Regional Innovation Strategy, Sicily promotes the development of smart urban environments to improve quality of life of citizens and of smart communities, to create sustainable and inclusive living

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conditions, from the energy, environmental and social point of view. Like in STS-Med project, the economic, environmental and social issues are closely connected in planning energy requalification of urban spaces,to overcome a lack of cross-sectoral and integrated perspective and facilitate efficient allocation of resources.

As for Greece (Attiki), the Regional Development Priorities of the Programming Period 2014-2020 aim at improving the attractiveness of Attiki as a place of residence and investing, through the protection and the sustainable management of the natural and man made environment and the adaptation to climate change. Thematic Objective 4- Supporting the transition towards a low carbon economy in all sectors encourages the realization of actions for energy savings and energy efficiency in the building sector (public and private) and in SMEs. Energy saving will contribute to the reduction of air pollution through the replacement of heating oil as a primary source of heating. Associated interventions may be combined with urban regeneration actions, exploiting sustainable urban development tools. Energy saving in public and private buildings will contribute to the reduction of atmospheric pollution by replacing oil as main source of heating. Cogeneration is promoted in specific public buildings.

The policy instrument implementation could be positively influenced by STS-Med project outcomes in the direction of:

• improved governance through a framework to promote energy measures and develop/improve energy efficiency monitoring and energy performance standards and audits

• support of new projects focused on information, education & training and renovation techniques • enhancement of policy instruments’ use for the energy upgrading of municipal/public buildings that face

the greatest implementation gaps from the energy efficiency and application in private buildings through financial tools

• design of the approach/strategy to improve the energy performance of old buildings through the recording of the municipal building infrastructure, the monitoring of energy consumption, the design of appropriate measures, the implementation and monitoring of effectiveness

• implementation of the policy instrument to be followed by impact assessment (reduced energy consumption, optimal cost/benefit ratio)

The National Greek Innovation Strategy identified eight priority sectors in which R&I could contribute to developing an important competitive edge, whilst taking into account the critical mass and excellence of the research potential. Sectors 4 and 5 refer to Energy and Environment and Sustainable development while focusing on the fields of:

• technologies for energy saving in buildings (regional and national levels) • mitigation and adaptation technologies for climate change (national level)

As for Cyprus, in relation to the Operational Programme for Competitiveness and sustainable development 2014-2020, the current policy seeks to improve energy efficiency and energy savings by implementing energy upgrading interventions in public buildings and/or use of renewable energy, with a corresponding effect of increasing energy efficiency, reducing the primary energy consumption and the CO2 emissions, thus contributing to the corresponding quantitative target set the country in the Cyprus National Reform Programme for Europe 2020. Through interventions in public buildings, the obligation on the basis of Article 5 of Directive 2012/27/EU, for renovating annually 3% of the area of cooled and heated owned public buildings used by the central government, is fulfilled, in compliance with national minimum energy performance requirements for buildings. To achieve the above objective, a group of Ministries / Departments, which undertakes the implementation of energy upgrading of owned public building projects, have prioritised public buildings that currently have the lowest energy efficiency. Where possible, energy management systems will be used. In addition, energy upgrade projects in the broader public sector buildings will be subsidised as well as demonstration projects for cogeneration of electricity and heating. The estimated energy savings in the overall implementation of energy upgrades in the public sector by 2023 is expected to be around 21 ktoe.

The link with the RIS Cyprus is related to the Built Environment and the Energy thematic priorities. In the Strategy, it has been outlined that the existing expertise and technological know-how in alternative forms of energy is particularly important and used extensively.

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3.2 Covenant of Mayor

The sustainable energy action plans (SEAPs) catalogue of the Covenant of Mayors gathers all SEAPs submitted by the signatories and /or accepted by the EC.

A Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) is the key document in which the Covenant signatory outlines how it intends to reach its CO2 reduction target by 2020. It defines the activities and measures set up to achieve the targets, together with time frames and assigned responsibilities. Covenant signatories are free to choose the format of their SEAP, as long as it is in line with the general principles set out in the Covenant SEAP guidelines.

During the energy audit phase of local public buildings, STS-Med partners have got in touch with several local authorities (municipalities) which had already drawn up their SEAP. Thus, the activity of detecting and mapping energy consumption levels and energy demand for the public buildings audited was cross-cutting with reference to the needs analysis carried out for the SEAP. Moreover, at the end of the audit phase some preliminary recommendations for energy efficiency, energy saving and cost-effective measures were put forward from the energy practitioners involved. Some municipalities assessed at an early stage how STS-Med technologies could be integrated / hybridized with other RES/RET employed in their premises or in the surrounding area, thus generating a potential multiplier effect and maximizing the benefits that could result from STS-Med systems.

Finally, within the first year of the project, a web tool has been made available to upload the results of the audits into a shared database. This tool would abilitate further statistical and comparative analysis of the audited buildings and would be also a useful decision-making support system for action planning and execution in compliance with the SEAP envisaged measures.

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4. International projects linked with STS-Med

4.1 Med

During the project implementation, the partners have exploited identified synergies between STS-Med and other initiatives of territorial (transnational) cooperation in the Mediterranean basin, concerning only EU countries but with a potential for transferability and further development to MPCs.

They are reported in the tables below:

Project title Ecofunding Funding programme MED Objectives

creation of new investment possibilities that favour green SMEs. The main objective of the project is to create a comprehensive platform of financial resources that link investors and entrepreneurs and include all financial engineering mechanisms that are promoted by the EU. At the same time, it will provide innovative solutions to financing concerning venture capital, private investment and the creation of public-private cooperation structures.

Main activities

1) carry out a study in the MED framework including all private and public financial tools for the development of business growth and the consolidation of projects. 2) design an information and alert system at a transnational level. 3) set up pilot actions by partners and by kind of funding: public funding, specific bank funding, Mutual Guarantee Companies, Business Angels, Risk Capital, other mixed funding means. 4) make a diagnosis of business funding and monitoring: each partner will do a minimum of 100 enterprises: 500 enterprises in total in the MED region. 5) write a specific Funding Guide according to the sector. 6) create an on line form for the transnational presentation of Business plans. 7) develop training activities on funding tools: 2 seminars by partner. 8) create a network with financial agents through cooperation agreements. 9) set up a consultancy office eco FUNDING for 12 months. 3 experts will participate in this office giving advice to enterprises and entrepreneurs in a personalized way according to the kind of funding they would like to obtain. 10) write a Report on the private funding in the MED region: channels, access, result indicators

Expected results to facilitate access to finance for green SMEs Partners

CCCV (ES), CONFINDUSTRIA, Verona Innovazione (IT), CCI NICE, CCI MARESEILLE (FR), UNIVERSITY OF ALGARVE (PT), DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ZAGREB (HR), CCI IOANNINA (EL), CCCI IVACE, Jozef Stefan Institute (SI)

Potential synergies and complementarities with STS-Med

1. Both Ecofunding and STS-Med project deal with energy sector, ecoinnovation and RES/EE SMEs 2. local stakeholders involved in the energy sector are involved at both projects (local CCCIs,

municipalities regional/national energy agencies, financial operators, private financing organizations)

3. Ecofunding provides access and solutions to finance targeting energy sector SMEs while STS-Med is focused on the use and integration of RES technology in production process and procedure

Actions suggested

1. Exploitation of participating local actors identified during eco implementation such as local energy sector SMEs and financial operators acting at RES/EE investments

2. Use synergies evolved between CCCI and local regional agencies in order to diffuse and disseminate STS-Med objectives in a more effecient way

Project title FIREMED Funding programme MED Objectives

FireMED project intends to approach both LRAs and Financial Operators that are charged with supporting energy sector SME development, in order to propose innovative financial instruments for the Local Development plans as well as innovative services and improve the matching between SME requests of financial means and Investors.

Main activities

-workshops on national financial system; -analysis on selected energy sectors, technology&marketing opportunities, operators and institution locally operating; questionnaires for SMEs and financial+R&D operators(200 each); -database;list of innovative financial instruments and services to support energy saving SMEs -IT platform to provide services,exchange data,support matching,involve investors and institution; -multilinguage services&tools to assist all target addressed;3 innovative financial schemes for energy savings and RES MED SMEs; -280 SMEs selected from RES, eolic, photovoltaic,biomass energy sectors and involved to test the services(step1); 50 SMEs assisted to match with investors(both at public and private level)and draft agreement (short term) and be funded (medium-long term) -12 regional development plans with innovative financial instruments to support energy sector in MED

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area developed. KPIs elaboration and setting up of the Evaluation Committee; list of recomendations and modelization of the project action to be transferred

Expected results

The project goals consider the financial situation of many countries and the need to balance the public support of Energy sector, strengthening the cooperation between private and public Institutions.

Partners

Veneto Region, Chamber of Commerce Industry Craft and Agriculture of Venice, Finlombarda SpA (IT), Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Marseille Provence, ARDI - Rhône-Alpes (FR), Agency for Innovation and Development of Andalucía, Andalusian Council of Chambers of Commerce (ES), Region of Peloponnese, Cyclades chamber (EL), Cyprus chamber of commerce and industry (CY), Jožef Stefan institute (SI), Ascame Council of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Navigation of Valencia Region (ES), Region of Istria Capital City - Podgorica

Potential synergies and complementarities with STS-Med

Both Firemed and STS-Med project deal with energy sector, ecoinnovation and RES/EE SMEs local stakeholders involved in the energy sector are involves at both projects (local CCCIs, municipalities regional/national energy agencies, financial operators, private financing organizations). Firemed provides access and solutions to finance targeting energy sector SMEs while STS-Med is focused on the use and integration of RES technology in production process and procedure

Actions suggested

-exploitation of participating local actors identified during Firemed implementation such as local energy sector SMEs and financial operators acting at RES/EE investments -use synergies evolved between CCCI and local regional agencies in order to diffuse and disseminate STS-Med objectives in a more effecient way

4.2 FP7, Horizon 2020 and COSME

The ENPI CBC MED programme gave to STS-Med partner organizations the chance to share intangible assets such as know-how exchange, networking, cross-border mobility, intercultural learning, but also to make visible the outcomes of their technical cooperation through the design and installation of four demonstrative multigenerative plants as new research and educational infrastructures, which was quite unique for a cooperation project.

Of course this process produced an advancement of scientific knowledge, as witnessed by several papers, and raised the issue of protection of the foreground generated. The specific research and development implications of the STS-Med pilot plants could not be entirely dealt with in the project life cycle, but the partners could exploit their participation in other research-oriented EU funded projects (7th Framework Programme) to this goal, on one side, and look for opportunities to go in-depth in the scientific aspects of solar research, innovation and technology through new EU Calls (Horizon 2020, COSME), on the other side.

The table below reports the interactions with other projects funded under FP7 programme:

Project title

STAGE-STE: Scientific and Technological Alliance for Guaranteeing the European Excellence in Concentrating Solar Thermal Energy

Funding programme FP7 Objectives

a) convert the consortium into a reference institution for concentrating solar energy research in Europe, creating a new entity with effective governance structure; b) enhance the cooperation between EU research institutions participating in the IRP to create EU added value; c) synchronize the different national research programs to avoid duplication and to achieve better and faster results; d) accelerate the transfer of knowledge to industry in order to maintain and strengthen the existing European industrial leadership in STE; e) expand joint activities among research centres by offering researchers and industry a comprehensive portfolio of research capabilities, bringing added value to innovation and industry-driven technology; f) establish the European reference association for promoting and coordinating international cooperation in concentrating solar energy research.

Main activities

• Thermal Energy Storage for STE plants • Materials for Solar Receivers and STE Components • Solar Fuels • STE+desalination • Linear Focusing STE Technologies • Point Focusing STE Technologies • Integrating Activities to Lay the Foundations for Long-lasting Research Cooperation • Enhancement of STE Research Facilities Cooperation

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• Capacity Building and Training Activities • Relationship with Industry & Transfer of Knowledge Activities • International Cooperation Activities

Expected results A reference institution for concentrating solar energy research in Europe and enhanced cooperation between the participating EU research institutions

Partners

1) Centro De Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas-CIEMAT (ES), 2) Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft - Und Raumfahrt EV (DLR) (DE), 3) Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) (CH), 4) Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (FR), 5) Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V (Fraunhofer) (DE), 6) Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA) (IT), 7) Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich (ETHZ) (CH), 8) Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA) (FR), 9) The Cyprus Institute (CyI) (CY), 10) Laboratorio Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P. (LNEG) (PT), 11) Fundacion Centro Tecnologico Avanzado De Energias Renovables De Andalucia (CTAER) (ES), 12) Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche (CNR) (IT), 13) Fundacion CENER-CIEMAT (CENER) (ES), 14) Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovation (TECN) (ES), 15) Universidade de Evora (UEVORA) (PT), 16) Fundacion IMDEA Energia (IMDEA) (ES), 17) Cranfield University (CRAN) (GB), 18) Fundacion Tekniker (TKN) (ES), 19) Universita Degli Studi Di Palermo (UNIPA) (IT), 20) Centro di Ricerca, Sviluppo e Studi Superiori in Sardegna (CRS4), 21) INESC ID - Instituto de Engenhariade Sistemas e Computadores, Investigacao e Desenvolvimento em Lisboa Associacao (INESC-ID) (PT), 22) Associacao do Instituto Superior Tecnico para a Investigacao e Desenvolvimento (IST-ID) (PT), 23) Sener Ingenieria y Sistemas S.A. (SENER) (ES), 24) HSE Hitit Solar Enerji AS (HITIT) (TR), 25) Acciona Energia S.A. (ACCIONA) (ES), 26) SCHOTT Solar CSP GmbH (SCHOTT) (DE), 27) Archimede Solar Energy SRL (ASE) (IT), 28) European Solar Thermal Electricity Association (ESTELA) (BE), 29) Abengoa Solar New Technologies SA (ASNT) (ES), 30) King Saud University (KSU) (SA), 31) Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico (UNAM) (MX), 32) Stellenbosch University (SUN) (ZA), 33) Centre For Solar Energy Research And Studies (CSERS) (LY), 34) Commonwealth Scientific And Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) (AU), 35) Fundacao De Apoio A Universidade De Sao Paulo (FUSP) (BR), 36) Institute Of Electrical Engineering Chinese Academy Of Sciences (IEECAS) (CN), 37) Universidad De Chile (UDC) (CL), 38) Universite Cadi Ayyad (UCAM) (MA), 39) Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) (IT)

Synergies and complementarities with STS-Med

e.g. STAGE-STE WP11 (Linear Focusing STE technologies) a comprehensive push for CSP is being made by a large global consortium of academic institutions and the industry in which there are specific references to regional implementation projects. This has led to the drafting of a MoU between the Cyprus Institute and ARCA to use the results from STS-Med as input to the requirements of STAGE.

Actions suggested

Under STAGE-STE it was also required to interact and liaise with other relevant projects. A partner involved in both projects (e.g. CyI or ENEA or CEA) would act as a focal point

Project title

EU-SOLARIS: The European Solar Research Infrastructure for Concentrated Solar Power

Funding programme FP7 Objectives

EU-SOLARIS aims to create a new legal entity to explore and implement new and improved rules and procedures for research infrastructures (RI) for Solar Thermal Electricity (STE) technology, in order to optimize RI development and RTD coordination. According to ESFRI communication, EU-SOLARIS is expected to be the first of its kind, where industrial needs and private funding will play a significant role. 15 partners representing 11 EU countries have covered all the modes and Technologies of Solar Energy Concentrating Systems.

Main activities

• developing and determining all necessary arrangements for hosting the new legal entity;

• developing the collaborative model between public and private entities and fostering

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the collaboration between industry and research centres; • establishing one access point and clear rules for users; • preparing all the necessary mechanisms to secure sustainable financial resources;

defining appropriate systems for knowledge and IPR management; • coordinating the efforts of the participating infrastructures around Europe; • establish joint future development of research facilities; • elaborating effective rules for the dissemination of project; and finally • assessing the impact of the new EU-SOLARIS RIs and the deployment of STE

technologies for a sustainable development. Expected results The success of this initiative has been the establishment of a new governance body,

aided by sustainable financial models. Partners

Centro De Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas-Ciemat (CIEMAT-PSA) (ES), Ministerio De Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) (ES), The Cyprus Research and Educational Foundation (CyI) (CY), European Solar Thermal Electricity Association (Estela) (BE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) (FR), Deutsches Zentrum fur luft - und Raumfahrt e.v. (DLR) (DE), Centre for Research and Technology Hellas (APTL) (GR), Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) (GR), Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, L'energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA) (IT), Weizmann Institute Of Science (WEIZMANN) (IL), Laboratorio Nacional de Energia e Geologia I.P. (LNEG) (PT), Universidade de Evora (U.EVORA/IPES) (PT), Middle East Technical University (GUNAM) (TR), Selcuk Universitesi (SELCUK U) (TR)

Synergies and complementarities with STS-Med

Creation of a distributed research infrastructure/consortium Survey of training opportunities in CSP

Actions suggested

Consider joining forces with the EU-SOLARIS consortium, which most likely will take the form of a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC)

The launch of Horizon 2020 programme in 2014 represented a valuable opportunity to reinforce STS-Med partner cooperation as concerned the research component of their joint work, especially in the development of innovation from research and in the assessment of the economic potential of the innovation generated.

Moreover, in Horizon 2020 a dedicated SME instrument has been designed specifically for highly innovative SMEs. This instrument aims to fill gaps in funding for early-stage, high-risk research and innovation by SMEs as well as stimulating breakthrough innovation. It is to be used across all societal challenges and the enabling and industrial technologies specific objective. This is a scheme that only SMEs are able to apply to, and the EU commission has sidelined €2.84bn allocated to the scheme. There is no direct immediately obvious benefit for SMEs reached by the STS-Med project, but it remains plausible that those companies will become interested in applying for such funding after coming in contact with the technologies showcased and the possibilities offered by research funding.

In addition to this, the inclusion of SMEs in the whole H2020 framework is actively encouraged and permeates throughout the calls, especially thought the ‘Societal Challenges’ pillar. In fact, SMEs can engage in collaborative projects as part of a consortium, and the EU believes that the integrated approach and simplification efforts done for H2020 should lead to a minimum of 20%, or about € 8.65 billion, of the total combined budgets of the specific objective 'Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies' (LEITs) and the ‘Societal Challenges’ going to SMEs.

In close relation to Horizon 2020, COSME is the dedicated financing instrument of the EU for SMEs, whose main objectives is to provide enhanced access to finance for SMEs in different phases of their lifecycle: creation, expansion or business transfer. There are overlapping goals in COSME’s vision and STS-Med’s objectives. The two main ones are COSME’s support for framework conditions and the creation of clusters. EU’s goal is to improve the conditions for competitiveness by the reduction of administrative and regulatory burden on SMEs, something that is in line with the ‘lessons learned’ from the procurement procedures the four pilot plants had to go through. Any efforts to bring innovative products or processes to the market will have to find a path of lower resistance than what has been experienced in STS-Med and the EU schemes envisaged under Horizon 2020 and COSME could facilitate it.

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Clustering is also prominent in the COSME goals, and the relevant calls try to achieve this by targeted calls for SME clusters. The large dissemination base of STS-Med makes it a very good breeding ground for potential SME clustering, as evidenced in the brokerage event organised.

Several H2020 projects have been jointly designed and submitted by some representatives from the STS-Med network. The table below reports the interactions with projects funded under H2020 programme, in which STS-Med partner organizations are involved:

Project title ZERO-PLUS Funding programme H2020 Objectives

A primary objective of the project is to develop a system whose investment costs will be at least 16% lower than current costs. In order to reduce "balance of system" costs, an approach of mass customization will be employed. Mass-produced technologies will be integrated in a system that is optimally designed according to the local climate and site of each project in which it is implemented. To this end, a structured process will be developed and applied for the integration, optimization and verification of the design.

Main activities

In ZERO-PLUS, a comprehensive, cost-effective system for Net Zero Energy (NZE) settlements will be developed and implemented. The system will be composed of innovative solutions for the building envelope, for building energy generation and management, and for energy management at the settlement level. A reduction of operational energy usage to an average of 0-20 kWh/m2 per year (compared with the current average of 70-230 kWh/m2) will be achieved through a transition from single NZE buildings to NZE settlements, in which the energy loads and resources are optimally managed.

Expected results

The project's work programme will ensure a rapid market uptake, within its four-year scope, of the innovative solutions that will be developed. These solutions will be implemented in four different demonstration projects throughout the EU, with varying climates and building types. The results of their implementation will be monitored, analysed and disseminated. A comprehensive market analysis and business plan will support the commercial exploitation of the project's results. The project will be carried out by a consortium that includes universities, project owners, technology providers and organizations, which will closely collaborate in all the project's phases.

Partners

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA – Greece), Technische Universität München (TUM – Germany), Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU – Israel), University of Perugia (UNIPG – Italy), Oxford Brookes University (OBU – UK), The Cyprus Institute (CyI - Cyprus), Technical University of Crete (TUC – Greece), ABB Italy (ABB – Italy), Anerdgy A.G. (ANERDGY – Switzerland), FIBRAN S.A. (FIBRAN – Greece), CONSORZIO ARCA (ARCA – Italy), Eco Ltd. (ECO – UK), Office Public d’Aménagement et de Construction de l’Isère (OPAC38 – France), CONTEDIL di Ricco M. & C. S.A.S. (CONTEDIL – Italy), George Vassiliou Ltd. (VASSILIOU – Cyprus), Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT-UK)

Synergies and complementarities with STS-Med

Creation of pilot settlements ready to test the technologies developed in the STS-MED pilot plants

Actions suggested

The Cyprus Institute and ARCA can act as a link between both projects, in particular CYI will oversee one of the pilot settlements in Cyprus

Project title SMART GEMS Funding programme H2020 Marie Curie Objectives

A Smart grid is a dynamically interactive real-time infrastructure concept that encompasses the many visions of diverse energy system stakeholders. The Smart Grid is integrating the electrical and information technologies in between any point of generation and any point of consumption. The main objective of the project is to fully analyze all aspects of smart grids targeting in the improvement of reliability, mitigation of security risks, increase load shaping and energy efficiency, optimal integration and generation-consumption matching as well as smart monitoring and

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control. Main activities

To this end, the aim of the SMART GEMS project is to use Smart Grids’ optimization and reliable operation concept as the common basis for collaboration and staff exchange among the partners. The overall effort will be based in two existing smart grid infrastructures owned by TUC and AEA and is designed to exploit the complementary expertise of the participants as well as enhance and create more synergies. Moreover the infrastructure of all partners will be available for the project’s goals. In this framework, SMART-GEMS partners are selected to formulate a complementary group which encompasses all the major aspects of smart grids.

Expected results

During the SMART GEMS secondments, a mixture of research and training will be blended in a suitable proportion as to maximize the career perspectives of the researchers involved focusing on innovation skills related to smart grids and smart communities interdisciplinary aspects. The methodological approach is designed to enhance the researchers’ competitiveness and promote the ideas sharing from research to market and vice versa. The methodology is based on a cycle expansion in three dimensions where all participants are actively involved.

Partners

Technical University of Crete (TUC – Greece), National Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA – Greece), Cyprus University of Technology (CUT – Cyprus), The Cyprus Institute (CyI), IDEA (Italy), DEERNS (Netherlands), Intelligent Systems Research Institute (ISRI, UK), Elgama-Elektronika (EGM – Lithuania), National University of Singapore (NUS – Singapore).

Synergies and complementarities with STS-Med

Interface between the pilot plants and smart grids

Actions suggested The Cyprus Institute can act as a link between both projects from the research side. During the transnational mobility flows, thanks to the participation of IDEA (a SMEs from ARCA business environment) the researchers could also be field trained on the STS-Med plant in Sicily, as well as on the plant in Cyprus.

Project title NESTER: Networking for Excellence in Solar Thermal Energy Research Funding programme H2020 (TWINNING) Objectives

The NESTER project aims at upgrading the scientific and innovation performance of the Cyprus Institute (CyI) in the field of Solar-Thermal Energy (STE). The upgrade will be achieved by embedding the Institute’s activities in a network of excellence, which will provide access to the latest know-how and facilities, train CyI’s scientific and technical personnel and link it with the European Industry. The substantial investments made/planned by CyI in infrastructure and personnel will thus become more efficient and competitive allowing claim to international excellence.

Main activities

A number of activities are proposed in a detailed program which includes training and knowhow transfer, seminars and networking events with European and EMME partners, summer school activities, and public outreach and awareness and networking events. It is designed to ensure sustainability, evolution and continuation of the activities including the cooperation among the partners well beyond the expiration of the three-year funding period.

Expected results

The geopolitical placement of Cyprus offers excellent opportunities for cultivating a research and innovation niche in Solar Technologies. At the same time the remoteness of the corresponding centres of Excellence of EU is a major impediment. The NESTER proposal strives to enhance the advantages and ameliorate the disadvantages of this geographical placement. The NESTER network comprises of four leading institutions in the field of solar energy research (CIEMAT, ENEA, PROMES/CNRS and RWTH – Aachen). They possess a formidable know-how in this field and operate some of the most important facilities, worldwide. The resulting enhanced capabilities and status of CyI would in turn reflect positively on developing the knowledge economy of Cyprus. It will also enhance the positioning of Cyprus as an important player in applied scientific research at the interface of the European and Middle East/North Africa regions.

Partners CIEMAT-PSA, CNRS-PROMES, ENEA-UTRINN, RwTH-Aachen

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Coordinator: CyI

Synergies and complementarities with STS-Med

Support from leading institutions in Europe to convert the pilot plants built under STS-MED into concrete research outputs

Actions suggested Cyprus Institute and ENEA can act as a link between both projects, ARCA technical staff can be involved in training delivery

Project title CySTEM Funding programme H2020 (ERA Chairs) Objectives

The CyI Solar Thermal Energy Chair for the Eastern Mediterranean (CySTEM – Chair) project aims at consolidating and upgrading the already substantial activity at the Cyprus Institute (CyI) in Solar Energy, principally solar-thermal and related activities.

Main activities

This will be accomplished by attracting and installing a cluster of outstanding researchers, led by a professor of international stature to maximally utilize and upgrade the existing facilities, and pursue a program of excellence in Cyprus with local and regional focus in the region of Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME). The principal focus will be on Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technologies for electricity production, desalination, air conditioning and heating, either in isolation or in multi-generation modes. The Chair shall be embedded in CyI’s Energy Environment and Water Research Centre (EEWRC), a Centre with intense activity in climate change (and adaptation strategies), water management, and sustainability. CyI, being a technologically orientated research and educational institution, will provide the CySTEM Chair the opportunity to contribute to other related important activities of technoeconomic nature, such as the definition of a road map for Renewable Energy Sources (and Solar in particular) development in the area in light of the recent discoveries of substantial Natural Gas deposits in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Expected results

Upgrade of CyI’s scientific capability in the field of CSP, in the form of additional resources generated through competitive grants, an enhanced team of researchers selected with the help of the ERA chair, and improved productivity in terms of scientific papers.

Partners No additional partners

Synergies and complementarities with STS-Med

Support from leading scientists in Europe to convert the pilot plants built under STS-MED into concrete research outputs

Actions suggested

The Cyprus Institute can act as a link between both projects - CySTEM can be a vehicle for joint publications with STS-MED partners

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5. Relevant international networks for STS-Med

5.1 Enterprise Europe Network ARCA is a member of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) since 2010. Funded by the European Commission within the framework of the European Programme CIP-EIP for Competitiveness and Innovation, EEN has integrated into a single network information and support services delivered to companies in the field of internal market, internationalization, innovation and technology transfer at transnational level, based on the previous experience of Euro Info Centres and Innovation Relay Centre

For the period 2014-2020, the European Commission has adopted a new programme for the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (COSME) with a growing role for the EEN that, over the years, has become the largest support network for SMEs. EEN operates in Europe and worldwide. It is currently present in more than 50 countries and consists of more than 600 local partners, including chambers of commerce, regional development agencies, universities, research centers and incubators, locally grouped in consortia. The network can count on over 5,000 professionals.

EEN intends to increase the innovative and competitive potential of SMEs through the participation in EU policies and programs and access to funding opportunities, providing business opportunities in Europe, through the generation of technical collaboration agreements, of manufacturing agreements and transfer of know-how, joint ventures, exploitation and / or sale of patents and licensing agreements.

Within STS-Med project, an incoming company mission to Italy has been organized in November 2015 following the procedures of EEN for this kind of events and being acknowledged as a credited network event.

The company mission wanted to enhance new business opportunities at transnational level for SMEs in the local solar energy supply chains generated by the construction of the four pilot plants. To this end, the company mission facilitated meetings between companies and research & technology centres from Egypt, Jordan, France, Cyprus and Italy, operating in the following sectors: design of advanced solar systems, installation, operation and maintenance, predictive analysis for system operation, optic components production (mirrors, reflective optics), metal structures production, automatic control systems, molten salts hot storage, advanced coatings for absorber tubes, ORC - Organic Rankine Cycle power systems, chiller producers. 19 companies carried out 67 international bilateral meetings.

The event perfectly matched with the goal of the EEN network to help small and medium sized companies seize unparalleled business opportunities in the international markets, being supported by competent advisors for technology transfer, access to finance, IPR, partner search, innovation and internationalization.

The first evidence of such positive impact was given by the opportunity to activate an immediate comparison between companies and between countries by sharing different views from businesses operating in the respective segment of the supply chain. Secondly, the shared information could give a positive impulse to reach an agreement and contribute to acquire a vision of different markets for the represented sector. Thanks to the process of comparison and debate generated by wrapping up outcomes through a focus group phase (held soon after the conclusion of b2b meetings), the partnership and matchmaking process was expected to be accelerated, helping SMEs and research centres to enter faster the negotiation phase and to reach agreements for future collaboration.

5.2 ENoLL

The European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) is the international federation of benchmarked Living Labs in Europe and worldwide. Founded in November 2006 under the auspices of the Finnish European Presidency, the network has grown in ‘waves’ up to this day.

ENoLL counts today over 170 active Living Labs members worldwide (395 historically recognised over 9 years), including active members in 20 of the 28 EU Member States, 2 of the candidates and it is present in 5 continents in addition to Europe. Directly, as well as through its active members, ENoLL provides co-creation, user engagement, test and experimentation facilities targeting innovation in many different domains such as energy, media, mobility, healthcare, agrifood, etc. As such, ENoLL is well placed to act as a platform for best practice exchange, learning and support, and Living Lab international project development.

Living Labs are defined as user-centred, open innovation ecosystems based on a systematic user co-creation approach integrating research and innovation processes in real life communities and settings. In practice, Living Labs place the citizen at the centre of innovation, and have thus shown the ability to better mould the

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opportunities offered by new ICT concepts and solutions to the specific needs and aspirations of local contexts, cultures, and creativity potentials.

ARCA has hosted ‘TLL- Territorial Living Lab’, member of ENoLL as per the 2nd Wave.

The application of the STS-Med demonstrative plant in Palermo (Italy) as ‘Solar Living Lab’ has been submitted for acknowledgement under ENoLL. During the application phase, the action plan of the Solar Living Lab has been shared with other active Living Labs in the energy sector, notably:

• Laurea Living Labs Network (Finland), • ENERGY & WATER – Greater Copenhagen Living Lab (Denmark), • E-zavod Living Lab (Slovenia) • Lunigiana Amica (Italy).

receiving their endorsement for a good practice in the field of co-design, awareness-raising, citizens engagement, testing and experimentation of innovative energy solutions from renewable sources.

5.3 SDSN

UN SDSN - Sustainable Development Solutions Network (of which ARCA is a member) has mobilized global scientific and technological expertise to promote practical and systemic problem solving for sustainable development goals, gathering different territorial settings all over the world on joint challenges, increasing environmental general awareness, promoting integrated approaches to the interconnected economic, social, and environmental challenges.

In September 2015, world leaders adopted Agenda 2030, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDSN network contributed to the intergovernmental negotiation leading to the SDGs through flagship reports and expert analysis.

Energy is crucial for achieving almost all of the Sustainable Development Goals, from its role in the eradication of poverty through advancements in health, education, water supply and industrialization, to combating climate change. The proportion of the world’s population with access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking increased from 51 per cent in 2000 to 58 per cent in 2014. About 72 per cent of the increase in energy consumption from modern renewable sources between 2010 and 2012 came from developing regions, mostly from Eastern Asia.

Modern energy services, connecting economic growth, social equity and environmental sustainability, can help improve the quality of life for millions. Increased financing, bolder policy commitments and a willingness to embrace new technologies on a wider scale are crucial.

SDSN Goal 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all is devoted to energy. Its targets are:

• ensure access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services • increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix • double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency • enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology and for

supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries

Renewables will assist in the achievement of SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy, and attaining this goal will vastly improve the chances of achieving other development objectives, including reduction of poverty and inequalities, job creation, and environmental and health benefits. To ensure that emerging technology trends produce benefits, an improved business climate, good governance, stimulating entrepreneurship and increased investment in research are needed to fully realize the opportunities.

5.4 SE4ALL

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) empowers leaders to broker partnerships and unlock finance to achieve universal access to sustainable energy as a contribution to a cleaner, just and prosperous world for all. It intends to connect stakeholders, marshal evidence, benchmark progress, amplify the voices of the partners and tell stories of success. As a global platform, SEforALL lifts up the great work of others and makes connections and investments happen. SEforALL is working towards three ambitious objectives for 2030:

• ensuring universal access to modern energy services • doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

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• doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Affordable renewable energy technologies can bring modern energy services to rural communities where extension of the conventional power grid is prohibitively expensive and impractical. Efficiency and renewables, combined, can offer an energy system that takes up less planetary space and keeps emissions to low levels.

The Knowledge Hub, hosted by the World Bank in collaboration with other partners, is instrumental in benchmarking progress towards SEforALL’s objectives.

In 2016, SEforALL has become an international organization. It is going to help develop a) bankable projects, b) an enabling policy climate, c) ways to address investor risk and financing approaches that can unlock the right type of capital at the right time, d) take an inclusive, people-centred approach, ensuring that the voices of the energy poor are heard and that women are full participants and beneficiaries.

5.5 ISES

ISES – International Solar Energy Society (of which ARCA is a member), through its knowledge sharing and community building programs, helps its global membership provide the technical answers to accelerate the transformation to 100% renewable energy for everyone used wisely and efficiently.

A non-profit UN-accredited membership NGO founded in 1954, it has a long history of being the trusted global advisor on renewable energy, providing objective, scientific advice to governments and the public at a global level. It informs and connects its extensive, diverse membership of researchers, academics, professionals, practitioners, businesses, decision makers, and advocates in more than 100 countries.

ISES promotes solar research and development, provides authoritative advice on renewable energy issues worldwide, advocates for a sustainable global solar industry, supports career growth of young ISES members, and promotes energy education at all levels.

ISES organizes major events where leading scientists, engineers, architects, and representatives from industry and business gather and discuss the latest research results, technological developments and opportunities in solar energy. Last ISES EuroSun2016 conference gathered more than 300 scientists, engineers, decision-makers, industry representatives, 20 students from the Master course and energy practitioners, from 52 nations around the world. The majority of the participants came from European countries, but also from many countries out of Europe, e.g. Korea, China and Japan, Emirates, India, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and also from Australia and New Zealand.

A paper on STS-Med project achievements was presented at ISES EuroSun2016 conference, gaining a significant visibility. The project has been also publicised through ISES newsletter.

5.6 ENERGIA

ENERGIA, the International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy, contributes to scaling up the delivery of energy services through the strengthening of women-led energy enterprises, advocates for gender mainstreaming in energy policy and practice and creates the evidence base for incorporating a gender lens through research.

Applying a gender lens to energy policies, programmes and projects helps to identify the different impacts, to bridge existing gaps and contributes to more gender equity in the energy sector.

ENERGIA was founded in 1996 by a group of women involved in gender and energy work in developing countries. To date, ENERGIA Networks have been established in 22 African and Asian countries. In order to provide continuous support and have gender be part of the developmental process, ENERGIA also creates unique training modules and tools for the energy sector.

ENERGIA is currently involved in several ongoing projects. It works with a wide variety of governmental organisations and institutions to:

• assess the likely implications of a specific project or programme on women and men (diagnose)

• agree on what that specific programme or project wants to achieve from a gender perspective (gender goal and strategy)

• design activities on how these gender goals can be met

• build consensus among stakeholders on the approach

• develop a gender sensitive monitoring strategy

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6. Relevant EU platforms for STS-Med

6.1 ECTP and the E2B committee Vision: The ECTP (European Construction, built environment and energy efficient building Technology Platform) with its committees aims to develop new R&D&I strategies to improve competitiveness, meet societal needs & take up environmental challenges through an Innovative Built Environment. Its main activities are on nurturing and promoting industry growth through Innovation, enabling collaboration and partnering with National Technology Platforms. The main committee relevant to STS-Med is ‘Energy Efficiency in Buildings’ (E2B) committee that wants to drive the creation of a knowledge-based building industry which turns energy efficiency into sustainable business, within the PPP E2B under Horizon 2020.

Stakeholders: ECTP’s members are academic institutions, research organisations and SMEs, covering the whole range of activities outside policy makers, NGOs and governmental institutions. Its membership is Pan-European.

Relevance to STS-Med: E2B aims to develop technologies and solutions enabling to speed up the reduction in energy use and GHG emission in line with the 2020 goals, mainly though the H2020 instruments. It also wants to develop energy efficiency solutions in order to turn the building industry into a knowledge-driven sustainable business, with higher productivity and higher skilled employees. In addition, it intends to develop innovative and smart systemic approaches for green buildings and districts, helping to improve the competitiveness of EU building industry by providing cost-effective, user-friendly, healthy and safe products for smart cities. All these fall under the STS-Med mandate, in both the technological and innovation approaches.

6.2 EERA Vision: EERA (European Energy Research Alliance) brings together more than 175 research centres and universities working on energy. Actively working together on 17 joint research programmes, they build on national research initiatives. In a Joint Programme (JP) a research organisation joins institutions in other European countries on shared priority setting and research projects. The EERA Joint Programmes are aligned with the priorities for low carbon technologies defined in the SET-Plan.

Stakeholders: Research organisations and Universities. It is the largest such alliance in Europe under the SET-Plan, and increasingly important in forming groups that seek competitive funding.

Relevance to STS-Med: There are two JPs relevant to STS-Med under EERA: the Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) JP and the Smart Cities JP. Even though the CSP JP is mostly concerned with large scale power generation, there are many subthemes that deal with new concepts and designs. The systems built under STS-Med fit this framework. Under the Smart Cities JP, there is activity under the ‘Energy in cities’ and ‘Urban Energy Networks’ subprogrammes that can complement STS-Med well.

6.3 RHC (Renewable Heating & Cooling) Vision: The European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating & Cooling (RHC-Platform) brings together stakeholders from the biomass, geothermal and solar thermal sector - including related industries such as District Heating and Cooling, Thermal Energy Storage, Hybrid Systems and Heat Pumps - to define a common strategy for increasing the use of renewable energy technologies for heating and cooling.

Stakeholders: Research organisations, Universities, industry, SMEs, NGOs and government. It is a wide network that is not focused on one particular technology. In the solar field, members tend to focus on non-concentrating technologies.

Relevance to STS-Med: Provides a very wide relevant network, where the technologies and approach developed under STS-Med is an almost perfect match. Very useful endpoint for reaching SMEs across the continent, also has ties with national chambers of commerce and industrial organisations. Can also grant access to ESTIF (the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation).

6.4 BPIE Vision: The Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) is dedicated to improving the energy performance of buildings across Europe, and thereby helping to reduce CO2 emissions from the energy used by buildings. It’s a not-for-profit think tank with a focus on independent analysis and knowledge dissemination, supporting evidence-based policy making in the field of energy performance in buildings.

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Stakeholders: As a think tank its target is mostly policy makers. It does have however strong connections with a lot of EU governments.

Relevance to STS-Med: Technologies like those developed under STS-Med can influence the advice institutions like BPIE can give.

6.5 EuroACE Vision: EuroACE, the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings was formed in 1998 by Europe’s leading companies involved with the manufacture, distribution and installation of a variety of energy saving goods and services. EuroACE works together with the European institutions to help Europe move towards an efficient use of energy in buildings, thereby contributing to the EU’s commitments on job creation, energy security, and sustainability.

Stakeholders: Similarly, to the RHC above, it is a gateway to companies working in energy efficiency.

Relevance to STS-Med: Not a necessarily solar focused association, it can grant STS-Med a relevant but new audience.

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7. Opportunities from innovative public procurement and innovative business models for energy

The Public Procurement of Innovative solutions (PPI) in the energy field can stimulate innovation by bringing innovative commercial end-solutions earlier to the market. Contracting authorities can act as a launch pad for innovative goods or services which are not yet available on large scale commercial basis and may include conformance testing.

A strong and stable demand through government procurement can create demand long before a commercial market is established. This has several advantages.

By acting as the first buyer or lead customer, a contracting authority can boost a particular, new market.

The public benefits directly by being offered new and innovative public services that are provided in a more cost-efficient and effective manner.

PPI and Pre-Commercial Procurement can lead to scientific and technological breakthroughs in areas such as health and well-being, food security, sustainable agriculture or clean & efficient energy.

Under Horizon 2020, the Commission co-funds groups of procurers to undertake joint PPI procurements in order to have a single joint PPI call for tender and a single joint evaluation of offers. This can speed up the development of innovative solutions by encouraging cooperation between procurers from across Europe, either by supporting networks of procurers (to prepare joint PPIs) or by co-funding the initial call for tender, the related coordination, and the networking activities.

The Procurement of Innovation Platform, supported by the European Commission, works as a hub for information regarding innovation procurement. It contains information on upcoming calls, events, and a forum where international stakeholders can share and discuss ideas.

Some examples:

http://www.gpp2020.eu/

GPP 2020 aims to mainstream low-carbon procurement across Europe in support of the EU’s goals to achieve a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% increase in the share of renewable energy and a 20% increase in energy efficiency by 2020. To this end, GPP 2020 will implement more than 100 low-carbon tenders, which will directly result in substantial CO₂ savings. Moreover, GPP 2020 is running a capacity building programme that includes trainings and exchange

2. Monthly newsletters on green public procurement (GPP) issued by the EU GPP Helpdesk.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/gpp/alert_en.htm

Each News-Alert provides news on new initiatives, studies and guidance, policy and legislative developments, interviews with key stakeholders and a selected number of examples of GPP in practice.

3. Pro-EE: pro-EE aims to improve energy efficiency through sustainable public procurement http://www.pro-ee.eu/

4. Smart Procurement European Alliance (SPEA) http://www.bcn.cat/en/: it aims to implement a public procurement of innovative solutions in the area of energy efficiency in municipal buildings in the partners' cities: Barcelona, Eindhoven and Birmingham. It will increase the demand for innovation in this field and enhance innovation of public services in relation to the improvement in quality/efficiency of public services.

Innovative public procurement can actually speed up the adoption of advanced solutions and systems from renewable from local authorities.

The European Commission has also strongly supported Green Public Procurement (GPP) as a voluntary instrument toward a more resource-efficient economy. Many GPP good practice examples collected by the Commission concern efficient buildings, electricity from renewable sources, combined heat & power, as well as energy saving and sustainable energy consumption in other public procurement sectors as a cross-cutting requirement.

To support the development of clean energy sector as a sustainable, inclusive and cost-effective process, innovative business models for distributed energy systems have been circulated in the past few years, supported by transnational networks of citizens and communities, especially in inner and rural areas. They are centered on energy citizenship and ownership in consumption, production and management through participatory distributed investments such as the RESCoop (local cooperative networks of energy services).

1. GPP 2020 - Procurement for a low-carbon economy

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REScoop is the European federation of renewable energy cooperatives, a growing network of 1.250 European REScoops and their 650.000 citizens, that wishes to empower local energy cooperatives to achieve energy democracy. It refers to a business model where citizens jointly own and participate in renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. It is characterized by voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, economic participation through direct ownership. After purchasing a cooperative share and becoming a member or co-owner of local RES and EE projects, members share in the profits and often are given the opportunity to buy the electricity at a fair price. In addition, Members can actively participate in the cooperative: they can decide in what and where the REScoop should invest, and are consulted when setting the energy price.

The concentration of energy investments in few hands can be avoided through solutions such as the ‘participatory foundations’, where citizens and the union of municipalities act as shareholders. The achievement in terms of energy saving is directly related to the contribution of energy self-produced, with less waste and the chance to reuse waste materials as fuel. Moreover, anybody can participate in the foundation both through financing and services. The benefits are thus distributed in the community and the citizens are no more passive recipients of political decisions, but are active in the energy transition. The transition from ownership to service is supported from a social economy perspective; whereas in a financial economy the introduction of innovation is delayed until the results of fund raising, in a social economy, existing resources are shared and their use is optimized.

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8. A new cultural approach to energy themes in community-led innovation processes

The project has taken into account the societal needs of the target communities, through case studies focused on typical locations, inspiring place-based innovative solutions, raising awareness on the basis of real examples and increasing the engagement of regional and national policy makers. It has produced benefits at the educational level (using the demonstrative units as educational and training living labs for schools, universities, researchers, professionals), business level (analysing the cost-effectiveness of CSP systems and supporting SMEs from local supply chains), environmental level (through the adoption of low-impact technologies) and social level (involving citizens as well as decision-makers in sensitization and collective awareness actions).

STS-Med partners have made available their expertise gained over the past five years to stimulate knowledge transfer in small scale multi generative solar systems, suitable for the urban environment, which integrate and optimize advanced technologies, in line with most recent EU policy papers and technology platforms. They have also provided a unique testbed for testing and tuning systems through the team work of professionals from the research, professional and industrial world. But, more than this, they have worked supported by a vision of energy transition which starts from the citizens’ needs for improving their life quality and ends with solutions able to answer the social challenges expressed.

This concept of energy transition cannot be implemented without the collective commitment of all the actors (government, civil society, industry, research an education). Thus the advanced solar infrastructures have become the sites hosting physically and virtually the Mediterranean communities which have become aware that a linear innovation process from a technology demand to a technology solution is part of a system where actually innovation flows concern institutional and informal actors, are bottom-up generated and actively involve people in producing, in addition to consuming, resources, within short supply chains.

Participatory strategic co-planning, territorial co-governance and joint experimentation of environmental processes will give citizens their share of ownership, as well as of responsibility in terms of sustainable behavior, will increase the awareness of context and implications of choices, and the need of monitoring the impact of decisions taken.

The role of policy makers is crucial to remove the barriers which can set up obstacles to spatial sustainable development (i.e. regulatory constraints, limited access to energy data) and to encourage networking and knowledge sharing (i.e. twinning among communities, energy transition arenas). It is also needed to set up favourable conditions for a business ecosystem to help local SMEs grow and scale up beyond the borders while contributing profitably to local economic development, also through the generation of new start-up activities.

The project communication strategy acted as a powerful tool to give visibility to STS-Med energy vision. Thus, in addition to traditional communication channels (social media, videos, advertising, web info, energy days, round tables), energy festivals and exhibitions, makers’ labs focused on the simulation of small solar systems involving the schools, story-telling of successful experiences, hackatons as a contest for innovative IT-aided solutions for solar plant operation, management and control, visits to the solar labs with talks, sun scientific observation, gaming and speed networking contributed to energy awareness-raising in the local community and to make the theme of the solar energy more attractive and accessible to a wide audience.

STS-Med has properly functioned as an acceleration engine of this cultural approach to energy, to foster endogenous development, create job opportunities for young people and market opportunities for SMEs, as well as to spread out new business models for energy transition as a social innovation process which maximizes local value creation.

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Project coordinator

Consorzio ARCA (Italy)

Partnership

• The Cyprus Institute (Cyprus) • Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Cyprus) • Academy for Scientific Research and Technology (Egypt) • New and Renewable Energy Authority (Egypt) • Elsewedy Electric (Egypt) • French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (France) • CEEI Provence - Innovation business support (France) • University of Athens, Institute of Accelerating Systems and Application (Greece) • Al Balqa Applied University (Jordan) • Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (Jordan) • Millenium Energy Industries (Jordan) • Sicily Region-Department of Production Activities (Italy) • ENEA-National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (Italy)

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For more information, please contact:

www.stsmed.eu info@stsmed.eu

Consorzio ARCA

Viale delle Scienze Edif. 16 - 90128 Palermo (Italy)

Project Leader

Fabio Maria Montagnino +39 091 661 56 54

Follow us on Twitter @STSMed

Linkedin Group

STS Med