CluBE-Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia

The Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia (CluBE) is a non-profit company established among local actors and stakeholders of the Region of Western Macedonia, Greece. CluBE emerged since early ’00’s from the continuous collaboration of regional players during previous projects, analyzing regional biomass potentials, the core cluster structures, and the regional innovation systems devoted to the energy sector. CluBE is developing R&D and business activities in the fields of bioenergy and environment, in order to reinforce green economy in the region and the neighboring area, namely through: •Energetic exploitation of biomass for household and industrial use and especially for district heating systems for small, medium or large towns •Increasing the share of biofuels in the energy mix of transportation fuels •Co-firing with lignite in existing power stations and/or future heating plants •Optimization of heating systems •Improvement of energy efficiency for households, public and private buildings In February 2014, the cluster has been actually established as a legal form by 21 initial triple helix members. Moreover, the members of the CluBE and its staff have a vast experience in the field of biomass and bioenergy. They manage and successfully completed several European and Transnational Projects in the field of research and dissemination of knowledge and have assist the regional business sector promoting and fostering entrepreneurship in Western Macedonia.