LIFE

From Idea to Research Network

Research and innovation drive constant and, above all, rapid change. For this reason, it is very important that researchers and industry to think ahead; act rather than react, and, last but not least, interact with one another. The partners of the Research Network Green Tech Research Styria (GTRS) take this viewpoint very seriously. In spring 2012, they agreed to achieve a critical mass of research and development in the subject areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and resource efficiency in close collaboration with industries and the public.

A strategic working group has been established by Styrian Minister of Research Kristina Edlinger-Ploder. It includes representatives of the research institutions, industries and the public representatives in the areas of policy and planning. The members developed a common vision and took the first steps toward the initiative “Green Tech Research Styria” in the summer of 2012. By the fall of 2012, the strategy that was developed, “Smart Living”, was approved by the Minister of Research and the first project proposals - DEZENT and WISSEN - were submitted.

In 2013, as part of a “Call for Ideas” in Styria, the developed thematic foci of “Smart Living” were submitted as possibilities for the themes of future calls.  In addition, a working group that comprised JOANNEUM RESEARCH and the Virtual Vehicle Research Center (Kompetenzzentrum - Das Virtuelle Fahrzeug Forschungsgesellschaft mbH) presented its concept “Green Tech: Vision and Business ECO-mobility” at the Alpbach Technology Forum. With this step, they laid the keystone (Green Mobility) in the foundation of “Smart Living”.