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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NESTER (Networking for Excellence in Solar Thermal Energy Research)

Teaser

Summary

The NESTER project aims in upgrading the scientific and innovation performance of the Cyprus Institute (CyI)
in the field of Solar-Thermal Energy (STE). The upgrade will be achieved by embedding the Instituteâ€™s activities
in a network of excellence, which will provide access to the latest know-how and facilities, train CyIâ€™s scientific
and technical personnel and link it with the European Industry. The substantial investments made/planned by CyI
in infrastructure and personnel will thus become more efficient and competitive allowing claim to international
excellence. The geopolitical placement of Cyprus offers excellent opportunities for cultivating a research and
innovation niche in Solar Technologies. At the same time the remoteness of the corresponding centres of Excellence
of EU is a major impediment. The NESTER proposal strives to enhance the advantages and ameliorate the
disadvantages of this geographical placement.The NESTER network comprises of three leading institutions in the
field of solar energy research (CIEMAT, ENEA, PROMES/CNRS and RWTH â€“ Aachen). They possess a formidable
know how in this field and operate some of the most important facilities, worldwide. The resulting enhanced
capabilities and status of CyI would in turn reflect positively on developing the knowledge economy of Cyprus. It
will also enhance the positioning of Cyprus as an important player in applied scientific research at the interface of the
European and Middle East/North Africa regions. A number of activities are proposed in a detailed program which
includes training and knowhow transfer, seminars and networking events with European and EMME partners, summer
school activities, and public outreach and awareness and networking events. It is designed to ensure sustainability,
evolution and continuation of the activities including the cooperation among the partners well beyond the expiration of
the three-year funding period.

Work performed

So far, two secondments have been completed, the first NESTER school as well as the first workshop. A range of networking activities have also taken place with the help of the partners, which are reflected in the report. These have resulted in CyI interaction with a range of new networks, media, industry and policy makers and raised the profile of the institute in the field of STE both among the international academic community, but also the media. The CyI benchmark list of publications was uploaded, and will be continuously updated.

Final results

The NESTER school was instrumental in training local scientists and allowing them to interact with their peers in the European Research Area as well as the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This has helped CyI with its mission to be a bridge between researchers in these two regions. This and the workshop and the other networking activities of NESTER contributed to establishing CyI as a knowledge hub for STE, and as a contributor to the knowledge economy of the island of Cyprus.