Mari Runardotter

Views on energy efficiency — Findings from the CASSANDRA project

In this paper we present findings from the CASSANDRA project, in the area of energy efficiency. We set out to explore what view on energy efficiency elderly individual tenants and the European Union (EU) convey, respectively, as well as whether their respective views differ or not. Data used are a) qualitative interviews with 15 tenants at a multi-residential building for elderly people; and b) EU Directives in relation to energy efficiency. We find that environmental concerns are shared by both parties, and that resources are limited is also agreed upon. Where they differ is around growth and lack of information, of which the first is not an issue for the tenants, and the other they regard to be wrong - they see themselves as informed. Of specific interest was whether the tenants was aware, knowledgeable and motivated or not, since this is regarded to be preconditions for energy efficiency, according to the EU. Our findings show that most individual consumers show great concern for the environment, and they claim that they are raised and taught in being economic with all resources.

Collaboration support for cross-border networks of living labs

During the last years, the concept of Living Labs as environments of user driven and collaborative innovation has received much attention. Until recently, collaboration and networking between single living labs has not been much of an issue. The APOLLON project has now extended the concept of single living labs to cross-border networks of living labs aiming to support SMEs innovation and access to international markets. APOLLON demonstrates the opportunities of cross border living labs to support SMEs in four pilots in four different domains. This paper focuses in particular on methods, tools and guidelines to support cross-border collaboration between living labs and with SMEs. We explain the methodology that has been developed to support collaboration in initiating, planning and establishing cross border networks of living labs within APOLLON, and provide some initial results on how the methodology has supported the collaboration process. The paper analyses the collaboration processes and collaboration needs and bottlenecks, and the methods that have been applied to overcome collaboration bottlenecks.