The European project EERES4WATER, funded by the INTERREG Atlantic Area Programme, held its first webinar on 2nd June 2021 to promote Open Innovation in the energy-water nexus. More than 60 attendees from 13 countries participated in this international event that took place as a part of the EU Green Week, a European Commission event dedicated to the Zero Pollution for healthier people and planet.
The webinar focused on how to bring Europe to the forefront of the energy and water sustainability, in terms of resource efficiency, through Open Innovation strategies. Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA), leader of the project, organised this webinar with the participation of Iberdrola PERSEO, an international key player in the field of Open Innovation.
Open Innovation as an opportunity for the energy-water nexus
The CTA Energy and Environment Technical Officer, Germán López, highlighted the consortium’s work to develop local policies, sustainable solutions, and specific technologies to promote the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in the water cycle as a way to reduce its environmental impact. During his presentation, he explained that the EU Green Week is a great opportunity to showcase their work and address the fight against climate change.
The CTA Innovation Consultant Marta Macías presented how working together with the innovation ecosystem stakeholders can accelerate the organizational capacities for innovation and commercialization while reducing risks.
Alberto Toril, responsible for OI Challenges at Iberdrola PERSEO, explained how the company has oriented its management strategy towards an open innovation approach. He said that scientific and technological development have always been part of its strategy as a mean of disseminating and transferring knowledge. The results of scientific and technical production have also improved the company’s financial results.
conneCTA: an Open Innovation platform
Finally, Fabián Varas, Chief Technology Officer at CTA presented conneCTA, the Open Innovation platform of CTA. The goal of conneCTA is to provide a meeting point between organizations that offer and request technology, R&D results and scientific-technical capabilities. The platform suggests offers and requests that fit the participant’s needs.
Companies, start-ups, universities, technology centres, institutions and any innovative entity can publish their technological offers and needs, and their innovation challenges for free to find the most suitable technological partner.
About EERES4WATER
The EERES4WATER project is co-financed by the INTERREG Atlantic Area Programme through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project consortium includes 11 organisations from 5 EU countries:
- Spain: CTA, University of Seville, CIEMAT – PSA, Canary Islands Institute of Technology (ITC) and Wezen.
- Ireland: University College Cork (UCC) – MaREI and Resolute Marine (RML).
- Portugal: ENERAREA and the University of Évora – Chair in Renewable Energy (UEVORA).
- UK: Cardiff University – The School of Engineering.
- France: Campus E.S.P.R.I.T. Industries (GIP – Redon).
