1. METHODS The overall goal of the ETRERA 2020 action plan is to enhance collaboration between MPC and EU partners in the field of RES technologies, mainly in wind, photovoltaic, grid connection. This will be obtained both empowering MPC research centres capacities to exploit research results through brokerage events, by underpinning a knowledge exchange among the project partners and by identifying concrete and mutual interest opportunities and potential bottlenecks related to cooperation and knowledge transfer between research and industry. RES technologies development and RES deployment starting from the production to utilisation, with special care to different RES integration for grid and out of grid utilisation, including aspects like multi sources balancing, peak cutting, energy storage, this is only one example of action. FROM RESEARCH TO INNOVATION: THE EMPOWERING TRANS-MEDITERRANEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY INNOVATION ALLIANCE FOR EUROPE 2020 CHALLENGES – ETRERA_2020 REFERENCES CONTACT Email: Phone: Website: ABSTRACT Research collaboration between different European regions and between European regions and the Mediterranean countries is one of the target of the 7FP. Actions to improve and developing the relationship between EU and NPC by reinforcing the research and development activities and the transfer and the use of knowledge in the field of RES technologies were inserted under the Capacities support action of the 7FP [1-3]. Empowering Trans- Mediterranean renewable Energy Research Alliance for Europe 2020 challenges (ETRERA_2020) project is one of the project approved by EC under the call INCO - R2I. The idea is to improve S&T and entrepreneurial relationships between European Member States and the Neighbouring Mediterranean Countries - NCP in the strategic field of renewable energy production, distribution and storage by a range of activities targeted to bridging the existing gap between research and innovation. ETRERA_2020 will address its efforts on secure, clean and efficient energy societal challenge with a focus on the following technologies: wind, photovoltaic, solar thermal, hydrogen and fuel cells, grid connection. The project is aimed at the creation of a research network on renewable energies involving as primary actors across the research to innovation value chain. The project foresees a set of ambitious objectives to be reached within its conclusion: improving human resources & know how of NPC centers; increasing the networking opportunity among the main actors of the RES value chain; increasing of public-private partnership; increasing the accessibility to research facilities; increasing the project/partners visibility in order to attract research/industry partner INTRODUCTION The continuous world population growth and the impact of human activities on the environment, create a number of global issues to be solved in short time. The increasing world energy demand, in front of limited traditional energy sources availability, and the necessity to limit the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission are considered two of main issue to which a quick response is needed. European Union (EU) posed these aspects as priority social issues in the new framework program HORIZON 2020. These problems concerns the emerging, and industrial countries. The research on energy technologies plays a fundamental role in supporting this energetic policies and it is asked to transfer to local industries the related technological knowhow. This last step is fundamental if we look at a real technological development and to an economic growth _ the Empowering Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Research Alliance for Europe 2020 (Etrera_2020) working in this direction. RESULTS Then, ETRERA2020 idea is to improve S&T and entrepreneurial relationships between European Member States and the neighbouring Mediterranean countries in the strategic field of renewable energy production, distribution and storage by a range of activities targeted to bridging the existing gap between research and innovation, to gain mutual advantages. European research centres and enterprise are asked to support and cooperate with MPC in capacity building by training researchers and entrepreneurs, creating new infrastructures, and developing joint research and entrepreneurial activities to reinforce MCP research and industrial capabilities in RES technologies CONCLUSIONS The efficient transfer of knowledge and developed technologies from research to industry and society is an open question. Here the origin, design and program of ETRERA_2020 project have been reported. The project is aimed at the creation of the conditions for an efficient know how and technology transfer to enhance innovation in Renewable Energy Sources Field. [1]EU 7FP available on line [2]EU 7FP Capacity action work program. [3]INCO-2013-9 call. [4] REGULATION (EU) No 1291/2013 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 December 2013 establishing Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) and repealing Decision No 1982/2006/EC – Official Journal of the European Union, 20/12/2013, L347, pages 104-172 [5]. European Commission’s communication “Energy Roadmap 2050” – COM (2011) 885 final – 15/12/2011; available at the URL http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy2020/roadmap/index_en.htm DISCUSSION ETRERA 2020 is based on 3 main pillars:  Research centres from European countries, Associated Countries (AC) and Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC). (As defined by the FP7 work plan);  Intermediary organization providing innovation support services;  Entities managing industrial cluster and science park & incubator ETRERA_2020 project is aimed at the creation of a research network on renewable energies involving as primary actors eight research centres of France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco. That with, the strong collaboration of 4 agencies specialised in technology spreading and transfer, and research-industry collaboration, will put in place a series of activities targeted to improve the capacity and the effectiveness of the partnership in overcome the barriers to a successful knowledge transfer between research and industry. CONTACT Alberto Soraci Innova BIC s.r.l, Messina, Italy Email: a.soraci@Innovabic.it Phone: 090716030 Website: www.etrera2020.eu