EIT-ENERGY KIC Proposal “eCANDO” proposes a KIC starting with 4 Co-Location Centres (CLCs) in Graz (A), Hamburg (D), Trento (I) and Enschede (NL), growing to 6 within the first seven years of its operation. eCANDO concentrates on breakthrough innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energy systems. Particular emphasis will be laid on systemic, interdisciplinary innovation efforts focusing on fundamental changes in the European energy system towards sustainability and climate change mitigation.

eCANDO will be a one stop innovation partner for business as well as other important players for changing towards a sustainable energy system, namely regions and cities. It will offer technological innovation programs focussing on interdisciplinary technology development as well as strategic integration programs solving cross-cutting issues especially regarding new business models and implementation strategies.

Entrepreneurial education will be integrated in eCANDO activities at all levels. Reference curricula educating the future top league of energy entrepreneurs will award an EIT label of excellence for the best in class.

The CLCs form the physical pillars of the eCANDO co-operation architecture. These CLCs work closely together on four thematic platforms, covering all relevant aspects of innovative sustainable energy systems.

A central strategy of eCANDO is to avoid duplication of efforts but to co-ordinate and focus existing capacities and augmenting them by efficient innovation by the CLCs. A major asset in this respect is a strong base of 210 dedicated community partners from business, academia and research, spanning all 27 EU member countries. This brings eCANDO close to its customers, a necessity for utilizing the full innovation potential for European SMEs and regions as well as a strong asset for entrepreneurial education and the involvement of the citizens of Europe.