Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SETcon 2018 (SET-Plan Conference 2018) Reporting period: 2018-02-20 to 2019-05-19 Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project The SETcon 2018 project aims to succesfully organize and hold the 11th SET-Plan conference in the course of the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The conference is a continuation of a series of successful SET-Plan conferences. These annual events offer a chance for decision-makers, stakeholders and researchers to assess the SET-Plan's progress and to create a shared view on the necessary next steps for the implementation of the SET-Plan. The 11th SET Plan conference will take place from November 20th to 21st 2018 in the conference venue Messe Wien in Vienna, Austria. The organisers of this conference are the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology under the auspices of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism in coordination with the European Commission.The project aims to:* Share newest developments and achievements of the Integrated SET Plan to renew and intensify the participants´commitment to the SET-Plan*Bring together diverse audiences that are accelerating development and the roll-out of low-carbon energy technologies*Create a shared view on the topics of the SET-Plan and create a momentum which will help to speed up its implementation*Inform the general public about the activities and get their support and to*Present Austria as an engaged and active contributor to the SET-Plan Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far The preparation of the conference started with the development of the agenda, sequence planning, the launch of procurement services and the identification of side events that will accompany the event. The development of the agenda progressed and speakers have been invited. The procurement of services is ongoing for almost all services necessary to perform the conference. Most of the side events are fixed, remaining slots are offered for additional events, as far as possible.The conference registration page has been set up and a hotel booking feature has been included. The launch of the registration has been announced in the conference’s communication channels. Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far) The project will renew and intensify the commitment of all participants to the Integrated SET-Plan and the Energy Union and will put it on the strategic agenda of those, who haven’t been involved yet. To create a significant impact throughout all sectors and political levels, the project will attract a significant number of participants through targeted marketing activities and especially through attractive side-events in the venue city Vienna. Through site-visits to attractive urban development areas and innovative energy efficiency projects, the venue will demonstrate that a high quality of life and a sustainable yet affordable energy system go together well. In this context, the conference will dedicate special attention to the understanding of positive energy blocks as key elements of the European smart and resilient cities.Another expected impact of the project is that the delivery of the implementation plans’ targets will be stepped up through well prepared, dedicated panels which will ask for explicit commitments from the private sector, the member states, research organisation, regions, cities etc. Additionally, it is also expected that the project stimulates effective participation and commitment of the public and private audience to R&I and that it highlights the essential role of the European industry as a key economic driver of a sustainable EU-development. Through its plans for strategic dissemination and communication of key outcomes, the project will significantly raise the awareness of relevant stakeholders and the general public to research and innovation efforts across Europe and will support more effective interaction between Member States in R&I with the impact on the EU's transformation to a low-carbon energy system. Finally, the conference and all related activities will provide a breeding ground for novel ideas and discussion with potentially transformative impacts on society and the economy. Logo of the conference
