Image
The Catalan Efficient Energy Cluster (CEEC)
Published on 25 February 2019
Spain
Cataluña
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
The creation of the Catalan Efficient Energy Cluster (CEEC) is an initiative of the Institut Català d'Energia (Catalan Energy Institute, ICAEN) resulting from the necessity of a reference organisation in the energy sector fostering business development among the region’s enterprises, as outlined in the Energy Plan of Catalonia 2005-2015. The CEEC is constituted as a non-profit business association that by today groups more than 150 enterprises and other entities (public administrations, research and technological centres, associations, etc.) who offer, promote or develop products or services related to energy efficiency (EE).
The CEEC’s objectives are to generate business for its members on basis of the opportunities present in the market (locally and internationally), foster innovation in energy matters, favour a framework to develop collaborative projects, raise awareness for efficient energy management, and function as an interlocutor in between businesses and public administrations.
Its strategic areas are energy digitalisation, renewables and self-consumption, sustainable mobility, smart grids, buildings, and EE in the industry. To its members it offers training, (knowledge on) technologies, the integration into a network of manufacturers, customers and suppliers (networking and B2B events, internal and external), inter-institutional and international relations (support to internationalisation and export promotion), and participation in collaborative projects.
The CEEC’s objectives are to generate business for its members on basis of the opportunities present in the market (locally and internationally), foster innovation in energy matters, favour a framework to develop collaborative projects, raise awareness for efficient energy management, and function as an interlocutor in between businesses and public administrations.
Its strategic areas are energy digitalisation, renewables and self-consumption, sustainable mobility, smart grids, buildings, and EE in the industry. To its members it offers training, (knowledge on) technologies, the integration into a network of manufacturers, customers and suppliers (networking and B2B events, internal and external), inter-institutional and international relations (support to internationalisation and export promotion), and participation in collaborative projects.
Resources needed
The Cluster counts on a management team of 3 persons (cluster manager, project manager and communication manager) and an anual budget of approximately 300.000 € coming from its member organisations, services and collaborative projects with external funding (60%/10%/30%).
Evidence of success
Only ten years after its creation (with 10 founding members), the CEEC comprises more than 150 (2018) associates and is a reference organisation and business motor in the sector. In 2017 among other activities, the CEEC celebrated 63 events with more than 1250 participants, offered seminars, participated in internationalisation missions, established working groups and launched numerous innovation projects.
Potential for learning or transfer
Clusters are tools to promote an integrated industrial policy and have become increasingly prominent to facilitate inter-sectoral collaboration in between enterprises and thereby contribute to their innovation capacity and competitiveness. To establish an (efficient) energy Cluster in a given region, a critical mass of enterprises operating in the sector, willing to cooperate within the framework of a Cluster is conditional. The added value of the Cluster lies especially in the services and benefits it offers to its members in terms of cooperation (RDI projects, package products/services), networking, knowledge transfer and business opportunities that entities would not be able to obtain individually but which become possible though the Cluster collaboration.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Clúster de l'Energia Eficient de Catalunya (Catalan Efficient Energy Cluster)
Spain
Cataluña
Contact
Director