An important aspect of the Knowledge Based Economy (KBE) is the development of structures that will facilitate the knowledge transfer between the University and the Industry to enable the market uptake of new products and services in an attempt to also address societal needs. This is codified in the idea of the Knowledge Triangle (KT).

This project may build on the ongoing ELEMEND project which has entered its third and final year. ELEMEND focused on the capacity building of students and teachers. It facilitated the development of new courses, the modernization of curricula, the creation of new MSc programmes, the launching of laboratories and internship programmes and the networking between EU and WBC Universities and non academic partners, in the field of smart grids.

Now that new courses and laboratories are in place and graduates in the smart grid field are expected to have higher level skills and a more competitive profile, it is important that new KT structures be put in place to facilitate the development of new products and services addressing societal needs in the new paradigm.