Project Summary

-Context of the project:

The European energy sector increasingly consists of ESCOs with a high variety of business models, adapted to the market conditions, regulations and changing technological developments in the sector. The technical profile required to be a promoter of this type of ESCOs makes increasingly necessary knowledge on management and business models.

Objectives:

• -Identify training needs in the sector of ESCOs in the participating countries
• -Identify appropriate tools for the design of business models in the sector of ESCOs
• -The drafting of a specific training plan (from the above objectives) for the design of business models in the energy sector, especially targeting ESCOs professionals
• -The creation of a web platform to disseminate and facilitate the content developed in the course
• -The dissemination of the project and its results among the target audience
• -Number and profile of the participating organizations: 5 members

ENERGY CLUSTER OF EXTREMADURA, (Spain): It includes some of the most important companies in the sector in Spain, as well as numerous SMEs in Extremadura. Cluster companies represent the entire value chain in the different subsectors of the energy sector. The Cluster is knowledgeable of the situation and needs of the sector and seeks among other actions, to identify training plans appropriate to their businesses, so that they know how to adapt to the continuous changes in the sector and maintain its competitiveness in the national and international markets.

FUNDECYT-PCTEX, (Spain): This Foundation for the development of science and technology in Extremadura, provides valuable experience in the following fields:

• -Identification of needs for enterprises and tailored training plans
• -Development and implementation of the training platforms
• -Knowledge transfer processes between Knwoledge entities and companies
• -design and implementation of training for companies

ECQA, (Austria): The European Association for certification and qualification is a non-profit organization that provides a certification scheme for many professions. ECQA brings its knowledge to create a training plan likely to be certified at European level and their methodology for certification and validation of the quality of the training Plan developed in the project.

UEL, (UK): The University of East London designs and develops training programs for business modeling and business management. It acts as a centre of applied research and also carries out ad hoc consultancy work and coordinates a project on modelling of electronic commerce for the Chamber of Commerce and industry in London. Currently, the UEL develops various projects for the development of business models.

AKETH, (Greece): Experts in methodologies of training and design of training programmes. AKETH also acts as Advisor to companies, entrepreneurs and investors. This entity will bring to the project its experience in the development of training materials and training courses, as well as in the development of ICT solutions for training courses, and its experience in specific courses for professionals in the energy sector.

Description of the main activities carried out;

1. analysis of the needs of the market and the ESCOs in the participating countries. Identification of tools for the design of business models in the ESCOs sector. It includes surveys to stakeholders.
2. design of the initial contents to include in the training and development of the web platform of the project plan.
3. multiplier events to disseminate the project, involve stakeholders in the design of contents and validate content. 2 events were held in each country and a final event in Spain.
4. preparation of the final Plan for training, design and content development, translation.

-Results and impact achieved;

We have managed to successfully develop the 3 outputs planned in time and form. A training was developed a Plan for the design of business models aimed at ESCOs. We have managed to involve a high number of stakeholders – more than 220 participants in events- and the impact of dissemination has been positive (see results of broadcasting).

Long-term benefits, if applicable;

Given the interest reached and the increase of this type of SMEs throughout all of EU, it is expected to continue this initiative and develop an appropriate online platform to implement the course online or through MOOCs.

Coordinator:

• Asociación Cluster de la Energía de Extremadura - SPAIN

Partners:

• FUNDACION FUNDECYT - PARQUE CIENTIFICO Y TECNOLOGICO DE EXTREMADURA - SPAIN
• ECQA - AUSTRIA
• ANAPTIXIAKO KENTRO THESSALIAS - GREECE
• UNIVERSITY OF EAST LONDON - UNITED KINGDOM