The solar network
Tenerrdis: New Renewable Energies Competition Pole - Rhône-Alpes, Drôme, Isère, Savoie
http://www.tenerrdis.fr
Partners: 210 (more than half are companies and around 60% are SMEs)
Operating budget: €670,000
227 R&D projects approved since 2005
The TENERRDIS cluster helps develop responses to the world's energy challenges by championing innovation and by facilitating crossovers between the different facets of the new energies sector. It does this by creating partnerships between companies, research/training organizations and public bodies, in order to promote projects that will generate growth and employment.
Today, TENERRDIS's main priorities are public/private research partnerships, aiding the development of SME/SMIs, and increasing employment, skills and training (national skills development program in the NET field).
Rhône-Alpes Eco-energy Cluster - www.ecoenergies-cluster.fr
The Rhône-Alpes Eco-energy Cluster, set up by the Rhône-Alpes Region, is a network of companies and other parties interested in the development of the renewable energies and energy management sectors in the region.
Its goal: improve the competitiveness and performance of the cluster’s companies and other members, make Rhône-Alpes a leading region and improve the attractiveness of the region.
The cluster counts currently almost 150 members.
National Solar Energy Institute - http://www.ines-solaire.com/
Set up at the initiative of local and regional authorities – Savoie “Départemental” Council and Rhône-Alpes Regional Council – the INES has received substantial support from the ADEME, as well as an overwhelming vote of confidence from public research centers and training centers (CEA, CNRS, University of Savoie and CSTB). Savoie and Rhône-Alpes provided the financial resources required to set up the institute and the research and training centers are providing the R&D staff (140 scientists in 2006, 250 in 2010).
INES will be an important factor in ensuring the continued growth of France's solar energy industry.
The INES consists of a General Secretariat and three complementary departments:
- INES – RDI – a research, development and industrial innovation department, mostly composed of staff from the CEA, the CNRS, the University of Savoie and the CSTB;
- INES – Education – a department dedicated to training and feedback from users;
ASDER - http://www.asder.asso.fr/
21 employees
Budget: €940,000
250 members
Created in 1981, Asder represents the national “Espaces Info Energie” network in Savoie and, as such, is responsible for promoting energy management and the use of renewable energies. The Asder has three main roles:
- Raising awareness and providing information
- Providing project advice and assistance
- Training
As a member of the regional IERA network and the national renewable energies liaison committee (CLER), ASDER carries out local actions under the terms of an Objectives Contract signed with the ADEME, Rhône-Alpes Regional Council, Savoie “Départemental” Council and Chambéry City Council.
Savoie Technolac Technology Park - http://www.savoie-technolac.com/
For 20 years, Savoie Technolac has promoted innovation by facilitating the creation of synergies between research, higher education and innovative companies. Today, the technology park has almost 8700 “residents” (3000 employees, 5000 students and 200 teachers and researchers) within 180 innovative companies, 21 fundamental research laboratories, 18 economic development organizations and 69 university or higher education training courses.
The park facilitates the meeting of research…
Every year, more than 100 engineers specializing in the environment are trained on the scientific campus at Savoie Technolac at:
 
... and innovative companies
More than a third of our companies specialize in the environmental and solar fields, with, for example:
• Industrial pilots of new manufacturing processes for photovoltaic silicon
200 researchers/teachers and researchers/doctoral students specializing in the environmental sector are currently based at Savoie Technolac in laboratories such as LOCIE (Design Optimization and Environmental Engineering Laboratory), LMOPS (Organic Materials with Specific Properties Laboratory) and LCME (Molecular Chemistry and Environment Laboratory).
