Rationale

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The current lack of awareness, capacity and training in technological developments and implement­tation of pro­jects in the field of renewable energy is acknowledged as being a major obstacle in attempts to develop renewable energy systems. Weak market integration and imprecise regulatory frameworks are also some of the barriers seen both  in Turkey and elsewhere. Despite the fact that more co-operation between the EU and Turkey in the field of renewable energy is needed and despite the willingness of organisations in both regions to pursue it, the amount of joint works seen on the ground is still quite limited. Yet, much can be gained if institutions of higher education can co-operate in this field, especially in terms of edu­cation, training, knowledge and technology transfer.

wind energy
© kklausi / PIXELIO

Universities are institutions well placed to promote knowledge and technology transfer. However, they sometimes lack capacity, especially in fields such as renewable energy. The project  Renewable Energy in the EU and Turkey (RE­NET) will establish and sustain a network of  Turkish and EU universities in order to cater for a “university/university” and “university/ industry” interface.  The project  will bear in mind the cultural and economic specifici­ties of each region and aim to build-up   multi-partner and multi-faceted knowledge and learning systems, thus satisfying the need for mutual understanding and supporting the long-term cooperation between universi­ties in Turkey and in the EU. By means of  the exchange of expertise among the partners, the target groups and the final bene­ficiaries, RENET will provide a long-term contribution to the relations between Turkey and the EU and help Turkey to develop the appropriate know-how in the field of renewable energy.