JUMP2Excel aims to stepping up and stimulate scientific excellence and innovation capacity of MCAST Energy in the field of PV integration including related technologies such as energy storage and ancilliary services and electricity markets. This is achieved by joint universal activities with a group of top world leading research centres (CENER and CEA) together with one of the best research intensive university (UNIMAN) who will provide access to extensive network and contacts in the field. The activities are mainly knowledge transfer and networking through a series of workshops, winter/summer schools, MRes and PhD programmes, internships, exchanges, meetings and mentoring. MCAST Energy is experiencing a self-funding growth within its breath of energy research theme that lead on campus. In addition, the MCAST main campus infrastructure together with laboratories will be the first ‘living laboratories’ on the island, used for real-life applications while delivery training and research as well. This TWINNING proposal will provide a stimulus of required knowledge to become more efficient and competitive to an international level of excellence. JUMP2Excel is designed for all partners to benefit in a way that goes sustainably beyond the three-year funding period. This eventually will result in enhanced skills sets and profile of MCAST Energy which in turn reflect the positive development of Malta knowledge economy including its ambition as a regional energy hub, solar country and blockchain state.

As the effects of climate change are becoming ever more visible, Europe has raised its target for the amount of energy it consumes from renewable sources from the previous goal of 27% to 32% by 2030. Offshore wind energy can play a key role in achieving the EU target and contribute to the required 40% reduction in CO2 emissions. However, to achieve the previously mentioned targets the cost of offshore wind must be reduced. This proposal provides a direct route to creating a step change in the cost of energy from offshore wind through the development of a disruptive new offshore wind turbine concept known as the “X-Rotor”. The X-Rotor has potential to reduce the cost of energy (CapEx and OpEx) from offshore wind by up to 20%, based on a conservative estimate from early feasibility study work. To quantify and validate the CapEx and OpEx savings, the project team holds a significant successful track record in computational modelling in the areas of aerodynamic, structural, control, electrical and cost modelling within the wind energy sector. Additionally, environmental and socio-economic impact analysis will be carried out to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the X-Rotor in those areas. GE, a globally leading leader in wind turbine development and manufacturing will ratify all proof of concept work completed in this project to ensure it is to a standard that can be used in future commercialisation. Through the completion of the proposed work by our consortium of leading EU research and industry partners, this proposal will determine the technological, economic, environmental, and social feasibility of the X-Rotor concept. If the concept proves feasible, it will, as a disruptive new offshore wind turbine concept, create new opportunities for the European wind energy industry and play an important role maintaining the EU’s position as global technological leader in renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonising the EU economy.

Navarra is a region with more than 272 municipalities, 640,000 inhabitants and it is member of the Euroregion Aquitaine- Basque Country - Navarra. Navarra has made a great effort to advance in the development of renewable energy in recent years: 20 percent of the energy currently consumed in Navarra comes from renewables. And now Navarra has developed a very ambitious energy plan for the region "Navarra for 2030" which integrates 4 objectives linked with the reduction of CO2 emissions, the increase in percentage of renewables, maintaining security in energy supply and reducing energy poverty. Such objectives are to be achieved through technological innovation, management innovation and innovation in financial models. Our project SustaiNAVility intends to work as a promoter of this plan in the area of energy efficiency, in particular supporting the goal of the plan of "Reducing 30% consumption of primary energy with respect to the figures projected by the EU for 2020 in energy efficiency". This 3-year project has the general objective to promote under the umbrella of the energy plan of Navarra, energy efficiency in the region of Navarra in 3 target groups: public entities (municipalities and public buildings), private buildings (citizens) and enterprises, promoting an investment of 16.3 million euros in renewable and energy efficiency. The concept of SustaiNAVility is the utilisation of the regional grants as boosters or drivers of the energy efficiency related investments, in projects incorporating the state of the art in technology and new funding schemes. The current project will have to face the following four challenges: - Technological innovation. - New services and funding schemes. - Business opportunities. - Citizenship involvement.