Periodic Reporting for period 1 - COALition (Promoting Innovation Excellence in Transformation of Coal Regions to Climate-Neutral, Thriving Economies)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2023-01-01 al 2024-03-31
The COALition project operates within the broader context of the European Union's (EU) commitment to achieving a sustainable energy transition, particularly focusing on regions historically dependent on coal (Western Macedonia - GR, Centru - RO, Southeastern – BG). The initiative is critical given the EU's Green Deal objectives, which emphasize decarbonization and the transition to renewable energy sources. These regions face significant socioeconomic challenges due to the decline in coal-related industries, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster innovation, economic diversification, and social cohesion.
During the initial 15 months, project partners created a joint Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategy based on thorough regional analyses by means of desk research, which were backed up by national surveys to validate the results of the aforementioned analyses. The purpose of the Interviews was to validate the results of the desktop research. The joint strategy identified commonalities and complementarities, based on SWOT and gab analyses in the Sustainable Energy (SE) domain, which were further elaborated. This effort resulted in the selection of three key R&I projects, one in each country, which have to be set up and further scaled up and commercialized, with the assistance of academia and industrial partners. These projects are focused on:
• Integrating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) (PV) in terrestrial habitats - (BG),
• Electrification of Agriculture using RES (PV) - (GR),
• Transformation and Storage of RES, (solar into heat, into electricity) - (RO).
Additionally, the creation of a detailed Plan for the Exploitation and Dissemination of Results was undertaken, alongside the establishment of the project's visual identity and online presence through a dedicated platform and active engagement on social media platforms. These efforts were integral to promoting the project, fostering collaboration, and sustaining motivation among stakeholders throughout the implementation phase.
The primary objective of the COALition project is to facilitate the sustainable economic transformation of coal-dependent regions in Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria by leveraging Research and Innovation (R&I). This will be achieved by developing a comprehensive R&I strategy tailored to the regions' needs, supporting existing national and regional plans, and promoting cross-regional collaboration. The strategy development involves regional context analysis, comparative analysis, strategic design, evidence-based outcomes, and regional specialization. The project also aims to assemble regional innovation ecosystems by engaging academia, industry, government, and civil society, establishing Regional Hubs to facilitate the joint R&I strategy's implementation.
Capacity building and skills development are crucial, enhancing the local workforce's capabilities to drive the green transition through targeted training programs. Additionally, the project focuses on supporting SMEs as key drivers of innovation and economic growth, providing them with necessary resources, knowledge, and networks. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework will assess the project's effectiveness and impact, using collected feedback and data for continuous improvement.
During the initial 15 months, project partners created a joint Research and Innovation (R&I) Strategy based on thorough regional analyses by means of desk research, which were backed up by national surveys to validate the results of the aforementioned analyses. The purpose of the Interviews was to validate the results of the desktop research. The joint strategy identified commonalities and complementarities, based on SWOT and gab analyses in the Sustainable Energy (SE) domain, which were further elaborated. This effort resulted in the selection of three key R&I projects, one in each country, which have to be set up and further scaled up and commercialized, with the assistance of academia and industrial partners. These projects are focused on:
• Integrating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) (PV) in terrestrial habitats - (BG),
• Electrification of Agriculture using RES (PV) - (GR),
• Transformation and Storage of RES, (solar into heat, into electricity) - (RO).
Additionally, the creation of a detailed Plan for the Exploitation and Dissemination of Results was undertaken, alongside the establishment of the project's visual identity and online presence through a dedicated platform and active engagement on social media platforms. These efforts were integral to promoting the project, fostering collaboration, and sustaining motivation among stakeholders throughout the implementation phase.
The primary objective of the COALition project is to facilitate the sustainable economic transformation of coal-dependent regions in Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria by leveraging Research and Innovation (R&I). This will be achieved by developing a comprehensive R&I strategy tailored to the regions' needs, supporting existing national and regional plans, and promoting cross-regional collaboration. The strategy development involves regional context analysis, comparative analysis, strategic design, evidence-based outcomes, and regional specialization. The project also aims to assemble regional innovation ecosystems by engaging academia, industry, government, and civil society, establishing Regional Hubs to facilitate the joint R&I strategy's implementation.
Capacity building and skills development are crucial, enhancing the local workforce's capabilities to drive the green transition through targeted training programs. Additionally, the project focuses on supporting SMEs as key drivers of innovation and economic growth, providing them with necessary resources, knowledge, and networks. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework will assess the project's effectiveness and impact, using collected feedback and data for continuous improvement.
The COALition Project has achieved significant milestones during the first reporting period. The main output of the project was the Report on Criteria Utilized & 3 R&I Projects Selected. The three R&I projects were prioritized for implementation, one in each region: " Integrating RES (PV) in terrestrial habitats " (acronym: TENTER) from the SE - BG region, " Electrification of Agriculture using RES (PV)" (acronym: CA) from the WM-GR region, and "Transformation and Storage of RES (solar into heat, into electricity)" (acronym: ORCS) from the C-RO region. These projects were selected from a pool of nine proposals based on evaluations using eight criteria, including formal eligibility, call objectives, description of the need, proposal’s expected impact, commitment, team, feasibility, innovation and scalability. The chosen projects align with regional R&I strategies and focus on producing green and clean energy through solar radiation. The collaborative efforts of the partnership, involving beneficiaries, industrial partners, and Regional Hub Coordinators, will ensure an effective co-design and implementation of these projects.
The COALition Project also achieved the development and implementation of a Joint R&I Strategy, targeting sustainable growth and transformation in Western Macedonia (Greece), Centru (Romania), and Southeastern (Bulgaria). Key strategy concepts were defined, and objectives and goals were established to align with regional priorities. The project outlined a comprehensive framework for strategy design, including detailed steps for assessment, roles and responsibilities of partners, and components of the strategy. A Comparative Analysis Report was elaborated, providing valuable insights into the regional contexts and identifying key opportunities for collaboration.
To support the strategy design, the project developed a COALition Interview Methodology and conducted 30 interviews (10 per country), mapping regional actors and creating a database of key innovation stakeholders. This process helped identify the real research and innovation needs of the regions and design tools for regional roadmaps.
The COALition Project also achieved the development and implementation of a Joint R&I Strategy, targeting sustainable growth and transformation in Western Macedonia (Greece), Centru (Romania), and Southeastern (Bulgaria). Key strategy concepts were defined, and objectives and goals were established to align with regional priorities. The project outlined a comprehensive framework for strategy design, including detailed steps for assessment, roles and responsibilities of partners, and components of the strategy. A Comparative Analysis Report was elaborated, providing valuable insights into the regional contexts and identifying key opportunities for collaboration.
To support the strategy design, the project developed a COALition Interview Methodology and conducted 30 interviews (10 per country), mapping regional actors and creating a database of key innovation stakeholders. This process helped identify the real research and innovation needs of the regions and design tools for regional roadmaps.
The R&I projects in WP2 will be carried out jointly by academia and business partners based on the R&I priority fields of the joint strategy, concerning R&I areas that are less matured (TRL3-4) but pose major opportunities for economic development and transition in the regions.
In Task 2.1 3 R&I projects have been identified. These projects are focused on:
• Integrating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) (PV) in terrestrial habitats - (BG),
• Electrification of Agriculture using RES (PV) - (GR),
• Transformation and Storage of RES, (solar into heat, into electricity) - (RO).
To finalize the R&I projects, PPs will implement Life Cycle Assessment for each, identifying the base scenarios & calculating the environmental impacts.
The results will be analyzed and used to underpin the strategy with evidence and start the commercialization plan.
These results are expected to lead to future pilot and demonstration projects (TRL 6-7) that will be either specified within the projects implementation period to be later funded, or directly funded by the joint Investment Plan, elaborated in WP3.
In Task 2.1 3 R&I projects have been identified. These projects are focused on:
• Integrating Renewable Energy Sources (RES) (PV) in terrestrial habitats - (BG),
• Electrification of Agriculture using RES (PV) - (GR),
• Transformation and Storage of RES, (solar into heat, into electricity) - (RO).
To finalize the R&I projects, PPs will implement Life Cycle Assessment for each, identifying the base scenarios & calculating the environmental impacts.
The results will be analyzed and used to underpin the strategy with evidence and start the commercialization plan.
These results are expected to lead to future pilot and demonstration projects (TRL 6-7) that will be either specified within the projects implementation period to be later funded, or directly funded by the joint Investment Plan, elaborated in WP3.