Clust-ER Greentech Energia e Sviluppo Sostenibile

What Clust-ER Greentech Energia e Sviluppo Sostenibile does

Clust-ER Greentech Energia e Sviluppo Sostenibile is a non-profit regional innovation cluster (Associazione) headquartered in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, founded in 2017 and recognized as one of the Clust-ER network organizations financed by the European Funds of the Emilia-Romagna Region (ERDF ROP 2014-2020 and POR FESR 2021-2027). It operates as a tri-helix broker among enterprises (62% of 129 associates), research centers/universities (ENEA, CNR, Politecnico di Milano, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, etc.), and regional institutions, with the stated mission of facilitating collaborative R&D, technology transfer, and access to European funding in the energy and sustainability domain.

The cluster's activity is organized around two strategic value chains: Low Carbon Economy (hydrogen, renewable energy, energy storage, CCUS, energy communities, agrivoltaic) and Environmental Sustainability and Ecosystem Services (indoor air quality, water management, circular economy and waste valorization). Its core deliverables are collaborative European projects (HERCCULES, ENCASE, EXCEED, CREDIT4CE, Share.MedWater, H2GLOBAL, GSSC, Biomethane Tracer, TEAM Energia), thematic white papers and catalogues (H2 Catalogue, QAI catalogue, agrivoltaico, green data centers, renewable energy communities), working groups, and a calendar of events and trade-fair participation (22 events organized, 65 attended, 8 fairs in 2025).

The revenue model is not commercial: the association is funded through European and regional grants (Horizon Europe, Interreg Central Europe, COSME, EISMEA, ERDF, PR-FESR Emilia-Romagna 2021-2027), with member contributions and event-related activity. It does not sell products or services; instead it provides intermediation, project coordination, dissemination, and stakeholder convening for its members and the regional innovation system. It was awarded the ESCA Silver Label for Cluster Management Excellence in 2024 and is staffed by 11 employees led by President Giordano Gozzi, Vice President Alberto Sogni, and Cluster Manager Katia Ferrari.

Name

Clust-ER Greentech Energia e Sviluppo Sostenibile

Legal name

Associazione Clust-ER Energia e sviluppo sostenibile

Website

https://greentech.clust-er.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Clust-ER Greentech is a non-profit regional innovation cluster in Bologna, Italy, financed by Emilia-Romagna and EU funds, that brokers collaborative R&D, European projects, and technology transfer in energy and sustainability among 129 enterprises, research centers, and institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy and Sustainability Innovation Cluster Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM), Environmental, Climate & Sustainability Standards & Reporting Cooperation (BPADANAI)

Keywords

• Innovation cluster management
• Renewable energy research
• Sustainability consulting services
• Green hydrogen initiatives
• Energy transition partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Bologna, Emilia-Romagna

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. European Regional Funding: The cluster is financed by European Funds of the Emilia-Romagna Region, including ERDF ROP 2014-2020 and POR FESR 2021-2027 programs.

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Clust-ER Greentech is a nonprofit regional cluster association that facilitates collaborative research, innovation, and technology transfer in the energy and sustainability sectors for the Emilia-Romagna Region. It connects enterprises (62% of 129 members), research centers (universities, ENEA, CNR) and regional institutions through two strategic value chains—Low Carbon Economy and Environmental Sustainability and Ecosystem Services—managing European projects (HERCCULES, ENCASE, EXCEED, CREDIT4CE, SHARE.MedWATER, Biomethane Tracer), thematic working groups, white papers, and member competency catalogues.

Product overview

Clust-ER Greentech is a regional innovation cluster (Associazione) that does not offer a unified product or platform. Instead, it provides a portfolio of services centered on two strategic value chains: Low Carbon Economy (focused on hydrogen, renewable energy, energy storage, and decarbonization) and Environmental Sustainability and Ecosystem Services (covering air quality, water management, circular economy, and waste valorization). The cluster's offerings include European research projects (HERCCULES, ENCASE, EXCEED, SHARE.MedWATER, CREDIT4CE, TEAM ENERGIA, STRUVITE, Biomethane Tracer), white papers and technical publications (agrivoltaico, data centers, hydrogen, indoor air quality), the H2 Catalogue documenting member hydrogen competencies, working groups on specialized topics, and event organization supporting knowledge exchange among member enterprises, research centers, and institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HERCCULES Project A Horizon Europe project developing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) integrated systems for cement and waste-to-energy sectors in Southern Europe. Consortium partners include ENI, SNAM, Politecnico di Milano, Buzzi Unicem, A2A, and Fraunhofer. For industrial decarbonization actors and research partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 22 events organized with over 1,500 participants in 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SIEA (Slovakia)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Partner in CREDIT4CE project (Interreg Central Europe) for decarbonization of manufacturing SMEs in Central Europe.
• Fundación Hidrógeno AragóncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Spanish hydrogen foundation coordinating the H2Global project funded by EISMEA. Project creates European Strategic Cluster Partnership for Green Hydrogen Internationalization.
• SolartyscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2020Spanish solar energy cluster coordinating the GREEN SMALL SMART CITIES (GSSC) project. The project supports transfer of sustainable technologies from Europe to developing regions including Chile, Cape Verde, and Vietnam.
• Catalan Water PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWater cluster from Catalonia participating in GSSC project for smart city solutions in developing countries.
• Mazovia Cluster ICTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICT cluster from Poland (Mazovia region) participating in GSSC project, focusing on digital solutions for smart cities.
• NanoprogressminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNanotechnology cluster from Slovakia participating in GSSC project.
• Cluster of Hydrogen TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish hydrogen cluster partner in H2Global project.
• EnergyinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese energy cluster partner in H2Global project.
• Regional Pomeranian Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish chamber of commerce partner in H2Global project.
• CapenergiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench energy cluster partner in H2Global project.
• G-Force (Slovakia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CREDIT4CE project for SME decarbonization.
• Primorska Technology Park (Slovenia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CREDIT4CE project.
• Weizer Energy and Innovation Centre (Austria)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CREDIT4CE project.
• Confindustria Emilia (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional employers' association partner in CREDIT4CE project, involved in SME decarbonization survey development.
• Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in CREDIT4CE project.
• REGEA (Croatia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy agency partner in CREDIT4CE project.
• ZICER (Croatia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation center partner in CREDIT4CE project.
• PPNT (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness incubator partner in CREDIT4CE project.
• CRPA LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader of Biomethane Tracer project consortium. Part of the High Technology Network of Emilia-Romagna.
• ProambientecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch consortium partner in Biomethane Tracer project for fugitive biometano emissions detection.
• Gruppo AimagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility company partner in Biomethane Tracer project.
• Gruppo IrenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-utility company partner in Biomethane Tracer project.
• Tozzi GreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company partner in Biomethane Tracer project.
• CIB - Consorzio Italiano BiogasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian Biogas Consortium providing support for Biomethane Tracer project activities.
• Catalan Energy Cluster (CEEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalan energy cluster collaborating with Clust-ER Greentech on energy storage comparisons between Italy and Spain.
• Clust-ER Meccatronica e MotoristicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional cluster partner in intercluster collaboration for energy storage and automotive projects.
• MUNER - Motorvehicle University of Emilia-RomagnacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive university consortium partner in TEAM Energia project for energy storage technologies.
• Associazione Big DatacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBig data association partner in TEAM Energia project, contributing digital expertise.
• H2ITcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian hydrogen association. Clust-ER Greentech is a member. Partnership includes cooperation with Japanese JH2A for hydrogen technology transfer.
• HERCCULES ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project (Horizon Europe) developing CCUS chain in Southern Europe. Partners include ENI, SNAM, Politecnico di Milano, Buzzi Unicem, A2A, and Fraunhofer.
• ENCASE ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project creating network of research infrastructures for CO2 transport and storage in Europe.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Catalan Water Partnership: Catalan water-sector cluster that partnered with Clust-ER Greentech in the GSSC project. Comparable as a thematic regional cluster organized around a specific environmental value chain, providing member services, EU project coordination, and internationalization support to member SMEs and research centers.
• Solartys (Spanish Solar Energy Cluster): Solartys is the Spanish solar energy cluster that coordinated the GSSC project in partnership with Clust-ER Greentech. Both are thematic energy/sustainability clusters pooling SMEs, research centers, and regional actors to access EU funding and run joint European projects - directly analogous institutional model.
• Capenergies: French energy cluster partner in H2Global and member of comparable EU cluster networks. Operates as a regional innovation cluster similar to Clust-ER Greentech, pooling industrial, academic, and institutional members around low-carbon energy topics in southern France.
• Fundación Hidrógeno Aragón: Spanish hydrogen foundation coordinating the H2Global project jointly with Clust-ER Greentech. Comparable as a regional hydrogen-focused intermediary convening industry, research, and public actors - addressing the same European Strategic Cluster Partnership for Green Hydrogen Internationalization.
• Mazovia Cluster ICT: Polish ICT cluster partnering with Clust-ER Greentech in the GSSC smart-cities project. Comparable as a regional cluster organization participating in the same European cluster-to-cluster internationalization programs and serving SMEs seeking EU funding and cross-border partnerships.
• Catalan Energy Cluster (CEEC): CEEC is the Catalan energy cluster collaborating directly with Clust-ER Greentech on intercluster energy storage projects. It mirrors Greentech's role as a multi-stakeholder energy innovation intermediary serving regional SMEs, large utilities, and research centers in Catalonia.

Broad incumbents

• Hydrogen Europe Research: European umbrella association representing hydrogen industry and research stakeholders. Adjacent but broadly comparable as a sector-level convening organization for hydrogen-related R&D and policy at the European level, where Clust-ER Greentech operates via H2IT membership and the H2 Catalogue.
• ASTER - Società Consortile per l'Innovazione: ASTER (now ART-ER) is the regional innovation agency of Emilia-Romagna and the umbrella organization under which Clust-ER Greentech operates. It is broadly comparable as the parent coordinator of the regional Clust-ER network and manages cross-cluster innovation strategy, funding, and policy alignment at a larger scale.
• Pôle Tenerrdis (Tenerrdis Energy Cluster): French energy cluster in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and storage. Comparable institutional model: nonprofit cluster pooling large corporates, SMEs, research labs, and regional government to deliver EU-funded innovation projects in the low-carbon economy space.

Regional players

• Energyin: Portuguese energy cluster partnering with Clust-ER Greentech on H2Global. Functions analogously as a regional cluster for energy SMEs and research centers in Portugal, providing EU project brokerage and internationalization services, but serving the Portuguese market rather than competing directly in Italy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmk7FIPwlO4hNHvw5BSgUfA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clust-er-energia-e-sviluppo-sostenibile

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clust-ER Greentech Energia e Sviluppo Sostenibile