Inn2POWER

The Inn2POWER project is the first project where regional clusters from Germany, United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark along with other organizations in the Offshore Wind Industry (OWI) will work this closely together in bringing small and medium sized companies (SMEs) together across borders to engage in successful business collaborations.

Benefits for SMEs participating in Inn2POWER:

Support in developing transnational innovative business cases and forming innovation collaborations of SMEs

• Online company search engine to find the right competences and partners for joint transnational innovative projects
• Themed and targeted transnational B2B meetings to meet cooperation partners from the UK, Germany, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands

Securing the work force

• Developing an innovative European MBA course on “Wind Management” tailored the needs of employees from SMEs
• Supporting SMEs to improve staff recruitment

Improved access to supporting infrastructure

• Mapping of European test-infrastructure and concepts for improved access for SMEs
• Recommendations for cost-efficient cooperation opportunities in harbours and shared logistics facilities

Securing acceptance and support

• Communication of the benefits and achievements of the European Offshore Wind sector to different target groups and business partners

Inn2Power has three overall project goals:

1. 15 concrete transnational collaborations between (min. 2) SMEs. This will be documented by a joint declaration signed by the involved SMEs
2. 50 SMEs, supported by the cluster organizations, enter new transnational markets. This will be tracked and documented by the web based tool
3. 150 students that subscribe for an MBA course that are organized using the methodology developed in the project

The Inn2POWER project consists of five work packages (WP).

OWI is an important driver for economic development in the North Sea Region (NSR). Approximately 95% of the companies in the OWI are SMEs, located in clusters around the NSR. The SMEs are challenged by the need for further cost reductions, continuous innovation and improved acceptance of the industry.

In order to secure growth in the OWI around the NSR SMEs need to play a key role in tackling those challenges. SMEs represent a high percentage of the industry and can be highly innovative, offering unique capabilities based on their specialized skills, drive an flexibility.

Inn2POWER offers targeted support measures to SMEs and supports collaborations on a regional, sectoral and transnational level. Thus Inn2POWER helps SMEs to overcome possible structural disadvantages and to realize their full innovation potential.

Objectives

• Connecting offshore wind businesses in the NSR
• Strengthening NSR offshore wind clusters
• Supporting SMEs to collaborate and enter new markets
• Developing innovative concepts for port and harbour logistics
• Facilitating access to test and demonstration facilities
• Improving the skill and availability of personnel

WP1

The aim of WP1 is to ensure a well-managed and implemented project.

• Project management

WP2

The aim of WP2 is to develop the prerequisites for focused communication activities in the NSR, which follow a smart strategy and a shared message.

• Stakeholder analysis and communication strategies
• Bochure aimed at acceptance
• Project communication & dissemination
• Identify and support the specific and shared communication needs of SMEs in recruiting staff
• Job attractiveness

WP3

The aim of WP3 is to assist SMEs and clusters of SMEs to enter in transnational innovative collaborations within the OWI in the NSR.

• Internationalize cluster organisations
• Transnational business opportunities inventory & visualisation
• Themed and targeted B2B’s
• Setting up transnational collaboration

WP4

The aim of WP4 is to get insight in the needs of the SMEs regarding test facilities and harbour logistics.

• Inventory of existing test facilities and related regulations
• Survey of SMEs’ needs for test facilities
• Building a network with new and existing test facilities in the NSR with customised services for SMEs
• Report analysis and strategy harbour logistics

WP5

The aim of WP5 is to start-up a professional high level action-learning education for employees in the SMEs in the OWI.

• Developing SME aimed MBA level courses based on business partnerships
• Pilot implementation of MBA level courses

The data from the involved SMEs will be collected by using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data research and desk research.

In WP3 an extensive questionnaire will be developed for the SMEs to fill out. The purpose of the questionnaire is to identify business opportunities and international collaboration opportunities for small and medium sized companies in order to support them with the creation and development of transnational collaboration.

Inn2Power has three overall concrete project goals:

1. 15 concrete transnational collaborations between (min. 2) SMEs. This will be documented by a joint declaration signed by the involved SMEs
2. 50 SMEs, supported by the cluster organizations, enter new transnational markets. This will be tracked and documented by the web based tool
3. 150 students that subscribe for an MBA course that are organized using the methodology developed in the project