Abstract
One of the ENSEA targets is to initiate so called enabling (lighthouse) themes, i.e. joint activities that typically relate to triple helix conditions for integrated joint investment activity in and around the North Sea area. A clear example of such a theme is: “setting up frameworks for energy cluster development and associated coordination and collaboration of various energy innovation related activities at the official level and/or under the auspices of the energy triple-helix cluster organisations of the various North Sea regions.” (see also European North Sea Energy Alliance – working together to create a sustainable and secure energy future, 2014, page 9).
In the following a first step will be taken, in the spirit of the above, to try to initiate with the help of others a triple-helix organisation structure covering the whole North Sea area. Although in various countries around the North Sea, local, regional and even state-level triple-helix energy organisations have been set up, they primarily have remained national, that is to say concentrated in one specific country. Clear examples are the ENSEA partners. At the same time a number of more international organisations, initiatives, stakeholder groups, networks etcetera have emerged lately with a clear focus on the North Sea area (see also next).