Partners

“The project is as strong as the partners are!”
Coordinator
University of Ljubljana

University of Ljubljana

University of Ljubljana is a public autonomous educational, scientific research and artistic institution of higher education with a very rich tradition. It is the oldest and the biggest university in Slovenia. It was established in 1919 and it encompasses 26 full members (3 art academies and 23 faculties) and 3 associated members (National University Library, University of Ljubljana Central Technical Library, University of Ljubljana Innovation-Development Institute). UL is also very active in international R&D programs: in the period 2007- 2013 it was involved as a partner or coordinating institution in more than 750 European projects, among them 160 FP7 projects and 2 ERC grants. In 2018 UL cooperates in 405 running international projects, including 83 FP7 and H2020 project projects and more than 380 other research and educational projects financed by EU Community programs.

At the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, the research and education activities in the Laboratory for Energy Policy (LEST) mainly focuses on various issues related to power systems planning, operation and control, as well as energy policy and electricity markets regulation. The main research activities are focused on long-term security of supply forecasting, optimal operation of hydro-thermal systems, forecasting the availability of renewable energy sources and its support policy, asset management in generation and transmission, and power system economics. LEST has also been strongly involved in solving real life problems for energy sector. LEST is very active on EU research level, it participated on several FP6, FP7 and H2020 projects.

Technical Coordinator
ETRA Investigación y Desarrollo

ETRA Investigación y Desarrollo

ETRA Investigación y Desarrollo, S.A. (ETRA I+D) is the hi-tech unit within ETRA Group, one of the leading industrial groups in Spain. Its mission is putting in the market the most advanced solutions and services either directly or through the 10 companies of the Group.

The activity of the company – with a turnover of 180 M€ and a staff of 1.800 – started in the 70’s and it is centered in three main activity lines: energy management (with more than 50 major public and private large clients using ETRA’s systems) smart mobility (including EV charging infrastructure management) and cyber physical security.

ETRA I+D is key player at EU level in industry driven, applied research and innovation. It brings into the project its expertise in research and development of new technologies and applications as well as a long success record in managing large scale complex EU RTD projects. The track record of the company includes more than 60 EU projects –half of them led by ETRA- in FP3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and H2020. Recent examples of large projects coordinated by ETRA are:

  • NOBEL GRID (Project nº 646184) NOBEL GRID goal was to deploy and evaluate advanced tools and ICT services for energy DSOs, cooperatives and retailers, enabling active consumers’ involvement. Within this project, was developed and certified a next generation certified Smart Meter (SLAM) for all the actors of the smart grid.
  • WISEGRID (Project nº 731205) WISEGRID aims at successfully putting in the market a set of solutions and technologies which increase the smartness, stability and security of an open, consumer-centric European energy grid.
  • CROSSBOW (Project nº 773430). CROSSBOW project proposes the shared use of resources to foster cross-border management of variable renewable energies and storage units, enabling a higher penetration of clean energies whilst reducing network operational costs.
Partners
PETROL d.d.

PETROL d.d.

Petrol d.d., the leading Slovenian energy company, is the principal strategic supplier of energy products to the Slovenian market and in Southeast Europe.

Petrol is growing from the Slovenian oil trader to a comprehensive regional provider of energy and environmentally-friendly services.

Petrol’s complete offers of energy-environmental products and services ensure a reliable, economic and environmentally friendly consumer supply in Slovenia and on the markets of South Eastern Europe. The entire business of the Petrol is based on promoting business excellence and on following and complying with modern market demands regarding services, IT and environmental care. In the line with the challenges of the contemporary word, Petrol developed and provide a range of integrated solutions in the fields of new energy business activities, which includes the marketing of gas, heating and electricity, managing larger environmental projects, e-mobility and the marketing of renewable energy in the long-term.

Petrol is currently involved in several smart city projects. One of the latest projects is a project of digitalization and optimization of district heating system for town Wien. Similar projects of smart district heating systems have already been implemented in different cities in Central and Southeast Europe. Furthermore, Petrol is also involved in projects of efficient sharing of resources for sustainable future cities. The main goal of the project was to prepare a solution that will make every urban environment smart. The project addressed infrastructure, energy, mobility and quality of life. Petrol has developed a wide range of products and comprehensive business models, which has made Petrol to be a partner of local communities and cities in paving their way to sustainability with experience in testing different business models in energy management and demand response management systems for different types of users.

REScoop.eu

REScoop.eu

REScoop.eu is the European federation for groups and cooperatives of citizens for renewable energy and energy efficiency. We are a growing network of 1,500 REScoops and 1,000,000 European citizens. Our members are spread across Europe. Through REScoop.eu, we wish to make our voices heard in the European energy debate. We after all are the ones who will be paying for the transition to a more sustainable energy system. Our federation has four well-defined objectives:

• We represent the voice of citizens and renewable energy cooperatives to European policy makers

• We actively support the start-up of new REScoops

• We develop valuable services for our members

• We promote the REScoop model throughout Europe

REScoop.eu carried out and is participating in European project, our goal is to support the development of tools and methodologies for our members. The WiseGRID project is looking at the development of tools to deploy a community-led local energy system. REScoop PLUS is a project looking at supporting Energy Efficiency in cooperatives by providing tools and a dialogue platform to the movement. REScoop MECISE has the goal of deploying a mutual fund to support young community projects. The FLEXcoop project is working around the development of flexibility services and DSM in Energy Communities. Finally, ECCO Interreg is a project looking to re-build and strenghten the link between rural and peri-urban communities in order to develop a more community driven energy system.

Green Energy Cooperative ZEZ

Green Energy Cooperative ZEZ

The mission of Green Energy Cooperative’s (ZEZ or Zelena energetska zadruga in Croatian) is helping citizens and public sector in developing, investing in and using renewable energy sources. We are developing concrete and sustainable solutions which are bringing benefits to and enhancing the development of local communities. We are the leading organization for community energy development in Croatia and the Western Balkans. Our main tasks are planning and managing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and our focus is on developing sustainable energy solutions.

ZEZ is a board member of REScoop.eu, European federation of energy cooperatives. We are the co-founders and co-leaders of the renewable energy sector of Cooperative for Ethical Financing (ZEF) in Croatia. Furthermore, we are the coordinators of the technical group for citizen involvement in RES development at Energy Community, which connects all the EU member states with neighbours with a goal of creating a unified pan-European market.

Cooperative consists of 20 members, who have a vast experience working in innovative green energy initiatives on European and domestic scale, as well as on development projects, designing policy recommendations and carrying out educational activities. Our work encompasses locally initiated RES&EE projects, with the aim of empowering local communities through use of local resources. ZEZ has excellent background expertise in energy sector and understanding of the complex interactions of energy sector and economy, society and the environment. It offers active involvement of stakeholders, particularly policy makers and citizen groups, in the policy elaboration and implementation process.

We are participating in several H2020 projects such as Biomasud Plus, whose aim is to develop the market of Mediterranean solid biofuels through implementation of the label of quality and sustainability BIOmasud® companies producing and/or distributing residential heating solid biofuels within Mediterranean countries. In 2019. we are starting with two new H2020 projects: AgroBioHeat and REGREEN. The first one aims to produce a mass deployment of improved and market ready agrobiomass heating solutions in Europe, while the latter one aims to promote urban livability, by systematically modelling and combining ecosystem services and biodiversity as the basis for nature-based solutions that can be widely deployed by public and private actors.

Cooperative San Francisco de Asis – Crevillent

Cooperative San Francisco de Asis – Crevillent

The electric Cooperative San Francisco de Asis – Crevillent (Alicante, Spain), the parent company of the Enercoop Group, was born in 1925 with the firm objective to bring power to all households in the village in a fair way and respecting the environment.

In this moment, the cooperative manages 14,315 consumers (13047 households and 1268 companies) in low voltage network; and 30 consumers in medium voltage network (mainly industrial and service sector companies). They have installed and integrated into their grid more than 75.000 PV panels in solar plants and 2.000 modules of PV panels in solar roofs. The photovoltaic plants connected to the Cooperative Network produce a total power of 13,4 MW. Therefore, currently the entire energy production of the entity has zero emissions and is working hard to get all the generated and distributed energy 100% clean.

The experience and background has led the company to be one of the most important cooperatives in Spain having a great international prestige. The cooperative offers its users a full range of options, services and capabilities to meet the energy needs of businesses, households and municipalities, with full guarantees of supply and distribution of electricity.

The electric Cooperative San Francisco de Asis – Crevillent is currently participating in Wisegrid H2020 project (Project nº 731205). While Wisegrid project provides a set of solutions and technologies to increase the smartness, stability and security of their consumer-centric distribution grid, COMPILE addresses the community building aspect, such as the social cohesion, citizen engagement activities and activation of users to enhance the interrelationships among Enercoop’s members.

Coopérnico

Coopérnico

Coopérnico is the first Portuguese renewable energy cooperative that combines its sustainability oriented and social nature with the support of solidarity, education and environmental protection projects. Coopérnico’s mission is to engage citizens and companies in the creation of a new energetic paradigm that benefits both society and the environment: renewable, efficient, fair and decentralized.

Coopérnico has three main activity areas: renewable energy production, energy services and commercialization (retail). Currently, Coopérnico has 1200 members who have already invested in a total of eighteen photovoltaic projects (so far) up to a 1,22 M€ and 1,11 MWp. All of these projects create environmental, economic and social value – the first for obvious reasons, the second because they are profitable projects and members get a reasonable return on investment and the latter through direct collaboration with educational or social economic organizations – and represent a rupture with the traditional models used for the promotion of renewable energy projects in Portugal. From May 2015, Coopérnico has started to commercialize green electricity, becoming also the first cooperative to do it in Portugal.

Regarding the energy efficiency area, Coopérnico is involved in some European projects where it tries to collaborate in the sharing of good practices regarding the field of energy. In REScoop PLUS (H2020 projects), Coopérnico implements tools on energy efficiency for its members and partner-institutions to capacitate citizens to reduce energy consumption. In MEDSOL (ERASMUS+ Programme), Coopérnico welcomes students and teachers from Nothern African Countries and shares with them its work in Portugal. In PEARLS (H2020 projects) Coopérnico is trying to share the Mediterranean countries vision and experience with other European countries.

Rafina-Pikermi

Rafina-Pikermi

The municipality of Rafina-Pikermi is a touristic port town located in the eastern suburbs of Attica, Greece, less than 30 kilometres from Athens.

Rafina is a historical municipality, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

Prehistoric houses and copper processing facilities have been found in excavations dated from the early bronze age (3000 B.C).

In ancient times Rafina was one the 100 municipalities of Athens set by Cleisthenes, named araphen after its first ruler,Arafinas who was one of the 100 heroes of attica.

The modern history of Rafina begins in 1923, when the inhabitants of Triglia in Bithynia, Asia Minor arrived as refugees and found shelter and a new home. In 1994 the municipality of Rafina was established and in 2011 Rafina integrated with Pikermi as part of the Kallikratis plan forming the Municipality of Rafina-Pikermi. Its population reaches about 15000 people, and climbs to 30000-50000 during the summer.

The municipality as an organization is a non profit urban administrative division and consists of local elected representatives and permanent staff.

Innovation and research is always supported by the municipal officers in order to provide better services to their citizens. In order to do so Rafina is involved in various European and International projects. Currently, apart from Compile there are two ongoing projects:

LIFE DIANA – Development of a pilot unit for the valorization of PRS (Petroleum Refinery Sludges) to new added-value raw materials

DRAGON – Design and development on Energy saving and environmental protection system for the green vessel (Submitted Proposal)

The Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS)

The Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS)

The Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS) is a private law body associated with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). ICCS has been established in 1989 by the Ministry of Education in order to carry research and development activities in the fields of telecommunication systems and computer systems and their applications in a variety of applications, such as electric power systems, software and hardware engineering, control systems and biomedical engineering. ICCS R&D staff of ICCS consists of 40 members of staff of NTUA, 20 additional senior researchers and 120 research students.

SmartRUE is one of the Research Groups of the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS). It belongs to the Electric Energy Systems Laboratory (EESL) of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. It is composed of Professors, post-doctoral scientists, postgraduate students and highly specialized researchers and collaborators. It is technically and administratively supported by the personnel of EESL. Smart RUE has coordinated and participated in a large number of European and national R&D projects and studies. It has organized several international Conferences, Seminars and workshops and it has published numerous papers in international journals and conference proceedings. Its members are active in several EU and international organizations. It maintains excellent connections with many Universities, Research Centers, Utilities and Power Industries active in the area of Smart Grids both at national and international level. The main goals of SmartRUE include the provision of high-skilled consultancy in all the aspects related with the areas of Power System Analysis, Planning and Control, Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Microgrids and Smart Grids. Moreover, it develops advanced state-of-the-art ICT tools that can evolve and optimize the grid operation.

SmartRUE-ICCS has been involved in a variety of EU-funded research projects. Indicatively:

WiseGRID (ongoing)

The WiseGRID project (H2020) will provide a set of solutions, technologies and business models which increase the smartness, stability and security of an open, consumer-centric European energy grid and provide cleaner and more affordable energy for European citizens, through an enhanced use of storage technologies and electro-mobility and a highly increased share of Renewable Energy Resources.

DREAM (finished)

The DREAM project (FP7) goal was to apply the principles of autonomous agent-based systems to the control and management of the electricity distribution grid in order to allow the system to constantly adjust to current operational conditions and make it robust to exogenous disturbances.

Nobel Grid (finished)

The main purpose of Nobel Grid (H2020) was to provide advanced tools and ICT services to all actors in the Smart Grid and retail electricity market in order to ensure benefits from cheaper prices, more secure and stable grids and clean electricity.

SmartEMC2 (finished)

SmarterEMC2 (H2020) implemented ICT tools that support the integration of consumers through Demand Response services and the integration of DG/RES through Virtual Power Plants.

ETREL

ETREL

ETREL is a privately owned high-tech company from Slovenia. The company’s core team is highly experienced in the energy industry, with a few hundred turnkey projects and studies performed for different stakeholders – transmission and distribution system operators, energy retailers, power producers, regulatory agencies, municipalities, governments, and others.

Ever since its founding in 2008, the goal of the company has been to apply this knowledge to the development of innovative products in the most cutting-edge areas of energy industry – smart grids and e-mobility.

As a business, Etrel is defined by the following core activities:

* Design, development, and manufacture of hardware and software solutions for AC charging of electric vehicles,

* Design and development of software solutions for support of e-mobility related business processes,

* R&D projects in e-mobility (with emphasis on smart charging of electric vehicles),

* Consulting for the energy and e-mobility sector.

In the field of R&D, Etrel stands out as one of the most active SMEs in Europe. As a leading technology partner for e-mobility related solutions, Etrel participated in five finalised R&D projects within the FP7 framework and six in Horizon 2020 (four still ongoing: GOFLEX, COMPILE, GIFT and RE-COGNITION).

During the initial period of e-mobility deployment (till 2015) the R&D projects were focused on development of ICT tools for support of e-mobility related business processes, and of smart charging stations able to communicate with them. The ongoing projects cover a much wider scope: interaction of electric vehicle charging with external systems, with emphasis on smart grids and participation of end users (electric vehicle owners) in operation of power grids and energy markets.

Etrel’s R&D activities resulted in a complete portfolio of hardware and software solutions for e-mobility, adapted to the latest development of electric vehicles, ICT technology, users’ needs, and technological and business environments of e-mobility eco-system.

JOANNEUM RESEARCH

JOANNEUM RESEARCH

JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (JR), one of Austria’s largest non-university research organisations, is employing around 450 highly qualified staff members thematically structured in 6 research institutes.

The role of JR as an innovative partner for business and administration is reflected in its wide range of services: applied research and development for small and medium-sized enterprises is supplemented by custom-designed technical business consulting and vast expertise in interdisciplinary management of complex research contracts at a national and international level.

The project subject project will be carried out by the by the groups “International Climate Policy and Economics”, “Future Energy Systems & Lifestyle” and “Weather and Climate Risk Management” at LIFE – Centre for Climate, Energy & Society. The group “International Climate Policy & Economics” has gained national and international recognition for its expertise in energy and climate policy evaluation and instrument design.

This include the development of business model for decentralized renewable energy sources including a good understanding on innovation processes. The competences of the group “Future Energy Systems & Lifestyle” comprise technological, economic, environmental and social aspects of various energy technologies and systems. Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) including Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC) and Social Life Cycle Analyses (SLCA) of energy technologies and energy systems are a focus of the research group.

The research group Weather & Climate Risk Management supports companies and society in coping with the risks arising from weather variability and climate change. Methodologically the group draws on consistent analysis and modelling of exact (geographically defined) quantitative, economic and meteorological data including weather driven demand assessment. The group is involved in numerous international organisations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

JR participates in national and international funded undertakings (e.g. INCREASE, DRIVE4EU, BETTER, AMAZALERT, POCACITO within the EU framework programs).

Ideaz Agency

Ideaz Agency

Ideaz Agency is a Google All-Stars competition winning agency primarily serving clients in e-commerce, events, education and health industries with clients scattered between Dubai, Central Europe, United Kingdom and the United States.

Ideaz Agency is specialized in WordPress and WooCommerce development and performance optimization, Google AdWords advertising and social media marketing. It is an official Google Partner with certifications in Google AdWords, Google Display, Google Video, Google Mobile and Google Analytics.

Ideaz Agency holds an AAA credit rating and has the privilege of serving Heineken, Otto, University of Ljubljana and University of Maribor, among others.

IRI UL

IRI UL

Institute for Innovation and Development of University of Ljubljana (IRI UL) implement interdisciplinary scientific research, development and professional projects under the registered activities:

  • Activities to support the transfer of knowledge from University of Ljubljana (UL) to users especially in the economy, public services, state and local government.
  • Basic, applied, developmental research.
  • Activities related to the development and operation of research.
  • Activities related to the protection of intellectual property created in employment relationships and other rights in intellectual property.
  • Represent research and development achievements of researchers involved in IRI UL, domestic and international public.
  • Together with UL to provide training and education in the field of research, development and innovation activities.

IRI UL is involved in various international projects:

  • TripleA-reno (2018 – 2021): Attractive, Acceptable and Affordable deep Renovation by a consumers orientated and performance evidence based approach, Horizon 2020, H2020-EE-2017-CSA-PPI.
  • MOBISTYLE (2016 – 2020): MOtivating end-users Behavioural change by combined ICT based tools and modular Information services on energy use, indoor environment, health and lifestyle, Horizon 2020 EC, H2020-EE07-2016.
  • PEOPLE (2016 – 2019): People-Centred Development Approaches in Practical and Learning Environments, Erasmus + Knolwedge Alliances, 574832-EPP-1-2016-1-SI-EPPKA2-KA-PEOPLE.
  • Edufootprint (2016 – 2018): School Low Carbon Footprint in Mediterranean cities, Interreg Mediterranean 2014-2020, Project Nb 738.
  • CompoHUB (2015 – 2017): Skilled hands for hi-tech production, Erasmus+ Strategic partnerships in vocational education and training, 2015-1-SI01-K202-012624.

International cooperation

India

Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) is a unique institution of rural management whose mission is to promote sustainable, ecologically-friendly and equitable socio-economic development of rural people through professional management.

The institute was established in 1979 by the father of white revolution Dr Verghese Kurien, is a pioneering academic institution in rural management education and research. Today, IRMA is recognized not only as an institution of excellence in teaching and research but also for having successfully created the new discipline of rural management. Its path-breaking approach is being emulated by other institutions in India and abroad. As a premier institution of professional education and development IRMA has evolved unique curricula for its various programmes.

Institutional Vision

To make continuous and significant contributions to the transformation of rural India through

(a) leadership in cutting-edge knowledge creation,

(b) innovations in education,

(c) pursuance of the ethical imperative of sustainability, and

(d) policy-oriented research.

Mission

To promote sustainable, ecologically-friendly, and equitable socio-economic development of rural people through professional management

Objectives

To achieve this mission IRMA has set for itself the following objectives:

  1. Creating a new breed of professional rural managers with the appropriate ethos and values;
  2. Helping rural organizations and institutions professionalize their management;
  3. Empowering rural people through self-sustaining processes;
  4. Creating new rural management knowledge and theories through action-oriented and problem-solving research and consultancy
  5. Influencing public policies.

China

China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing (CUMTB) is one of the key national universities directly under the administration of the China’s Ministry of Education. It is also listed in the national “211 Project” and “985 Innovation Platform for Advantageous Disciplines”, which is a government program designed to support and develop top institutions of higher education in China. As a distinctive multi-disciplinary research-oriented top university with a history of over 100 years, CUMTB has been playing an important leading role in the coal energy industry and the provincial economic and social development as well.

In the new era, CUMTB considers it hersacred mission to develop the mining industry, to mine brightness and warmth,to build up the country and to work for the benefit of mankind. With the dedication of generations of its staff and faculty, CUMTB has forged the first-class higher education, developed a unique spiritual and cultural character, and fostered an excellent school ethos summarized in the motto “Diligence, Earnestness,Enterprise and Dedication”.

CUMTB has strengthened international exchanges and cooperation with other oversea universities. At present, the university has signed the cooperative agreement with 25 universities that are among the top 200 in the world. In order to create an international cooperation and coordination mode for higher education, CUMTB has established some international cooperative platforms, such as International College and Sino-Australian Mining Research Center.

The university will also emphasize further development of disciplines, student education, scientific research, and social service as well as school management. This will guarantee that CUMTB takes the lead in these aspects so that the university will become a world leader in the field of mining engineering, with a clear advantage in the unique focus on energy science and technology.