InnErTech

Bundesministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Wirtschaft

AEE INTEC

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology

BioEnergy2020

E-Sorp

Heliotherm

ISPT

KNV Energietechnik

Ligno

Odörfer

Riposol

Solarfocus

Sonnenplatz Großschönau GmbH

In order to keep up with the increasing demand of innovative and sustainable energy systems and technologies, an intensified combination of technological progress with the education of specialist, will be necessary. Here, innovation management is the key aspect of successful use of F&E results. To avoid failed implementation of research findings due to a lack of systematic strategies and methods, the creation of specialist knowledge in companies is imperative.

The qualification network InnErTech dealt with this particular intersection of economy and research within the area of renewable heating technologies. This means InnErTech delivered important contributions to the systematic development of competence in participating businesses that is necessary for innovation. This increased in innovational competence intended to be reached through developing, implementing and evaluating tailored qualification modules. This was supposed to ensure the successful implementation of innovative ideas and research findings and the adaptation to future developments. As a result, educational content was primarily tailored to employees in science, technological development and innovation (FTEI), as well as decision-makers of participating businesses.

To create a demand-oriented qualification offer, participating businesses were already partaking in the development of contents. Additionally, their specific needs and already existing demands for education regarding aforementioned topics were being identified and considered. These insights were directly implemented into the basic modules and the in-depth workshops. For high-quality, innovative and practical contents, specialist knowledge of external experts were being incorporated as well.

The basic modules were aimed at highlighting potential opportunities, methods and tools that companies may use to implement their ideas, and they were aimed at increasing the technological competence of participants regarding innovative technologies of renewable heat generation.

Building on that, specialized workshops with various foci were offered. Through group work, newly acquired competences were implemented into practice, necessary specialist knowledge were learned, and concrete tasks assigned by project partners were dealt with. Additionally, trans-technological activities were intended to identify and accelerate new potentials and opportunities for combination within the area of renewable heating technologies, despite the varying competences of each participant.

An accompanying evaluation was conducted for the duration of this educational program, in order to increase the quality of the qualification program even during the implementation phase. Subsequently, a network for the exchange of information even after the project has finished, was established. This was supposed to help participants with early detection and optimal usage of future developments. Additionally, a final evaluation, together with all project partners, was supposed to ensure long-lasting improvement of future educational programs. All participating businesses provided extensive experience and competences in the area of renewable heat. Therefore, the specific assemblance of the consortium facilitates the successful implementation of the educational program.