Case study: Cluster organisations and the digital energy transition

1. Welcome

Whether you lead – or work at - a small or medium enterprise (SME) or larger business, you are likely to be thinking about how you can collaborate with other organisations and initiatives with the same aims. In this case study we look at cluster organisations, and the role they play in the digital energy transition. You may be considering:  

• How you can collaborate with others to further your business aims.
• What role cluster organisations play in the digital energy transition. 
• How joining a cluster organisation may benefit you and your business. 

By reviewing this case study, you will:

• Understand what a cluster organisation is. 
• Be able to describe the role of cluster organisations in the digital energy transition.
• Understand the benefits for businesses joining a digital energy focused cluster organisation.
• Be aware of successful real-world examples of digital energy cluster organisations.

Every1 case studies aim to support conversation, reflection and action on a key topic. Case studies provide key facts, examples, a short video, practical advice and reflective questions.  

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2. Factsheet

Let’s get started! In this fact sheet you will:

• Find out what a cluster organisation is.
• Develop an understanding of the role of cluster organisations within the European context.
• Understand the benefits of joining an energy digitalisation related cluster.
• Review the example of the Smart Village Lab.  

Download  Cluster organisations and the digital energy transition - EN (PDF) (326.4 KB)

Let’s go deeper and look at recommendations, policy briefs and some more examples of successful digital energy focused cluster organisations: 

• Discover how Sweden is leading the way in Sweden’s Smart Energy Ecosystem.
• Read The role of clusters in addressing societal challenges in European regions.
• Explore the policy brief Clusters: Driving the Green and Digital Twin Transitions.
• Get inspired and find out more about projects in The Smart Energy Cluster: A Growing Collaborative Force for the Energy Transition.
• Go deeper with the EU4Digital report Digital Innovation Clusters Development in the EaP: EU best practices in cluster management.

3. Video

This video explores a collaboration between Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Flux50 to invest in the Smart Village Lab in Belgium:

Time to reflect: Having listened to our example of a cluster and what it can achieve, what would influence your decision to join a digital-energy cluster? 

4. Reflective Questions

If you’re thinking about whether working together with other organisations might benefit your business and/or joining a cluster organisation, you may want to consider: 

• Your priorities: how could collaboration further your business aims and priorities?
• Benefits and challenges: what might be the benefits and challenges of joining a cluster organisation?
• What cluster organisations already exist in my region/country/city etc.? What are their aims and are there existing projects or initiatives we could contribute to?
• How to get started: what would be our first step?

5. Other Every1 Resources

You may find the following learning materials from Every1 useful: 

• Explore the slide deck Saving energy and making your business more efficient: 10 easy steps for SMEs.
• Review the engagement package Empowering Businesses.
• Get inspired with the Flux50 example in Implementing digital technologies for energy management.

You can also explore our Every1 Knowledge Hub, which has more than 80 different learning materials on digital energy topics, many available in a range of European languages. 

6. Acknowledgements

This case study and its components were created by the Every1 project and are licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, unless otherwise stated.  

Main case study image: four people all on laptops, two men and two women, listen to person talking in a board meeting by Mapbox is on an Unsplash license. 

Factsheet 

Icons used (aside from the Every1 logo, funded by the EU logo and related images) are used according to Canva licensing terms. 

Video

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) under grant agreement No 101075596. The sole responsibility for the content of this course lies with the Every1 project and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.