The project was not completed due to difficulties in the implementation.

The global vision of Smart and Sustainable Cities is greatly restricted by the rapid increase of interference and interoperability problems which occur through the interaction of electrical power with information technology and communications equipment. This interconnected systems-of-systems infrastructure creates a complex electromagnetic environment in which interoperability of the electronic systems has to be achieved. There is an urgent need to conduct greater understanding in Power Quality (PQ) and (conducted) Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) due to the changing dynamics of the field. The main issue is the insufficient number of qualified engineers for the latest developments in smart cities, renewable generation and electric vehicles. A highly trained cadre of engineers (a new breed) is required to lead this area. To date no specific doctoral programme in this field is available in Europe resulting in well trained researchers and engineers being scarce. SCENT will create a network to train highly skilled engineers through an integrated doctoral training program based on the essential research required in PQ and EMC that can underpin all future technological developments, strongly linked to industry, and bridging the gap between research and industry for translation of new knowledge. Designed into the project are specific innovations with methodologies to optimize the design of power distribution networks inside buildings and industrial plants, as well as transport systems, with respect to compatibility (no interference) and efficiency in the distribution networks and connected electronic systems. The partners of the network consist of leaders in these fields and relevant industrial stakeholders resulting in a unique and effective network in Europe and globally. Dissemination methods to realize optimal impact will include scientific publications, workshops, training of engineers in industry, and dissemination through newsletters, interviews, social media.

Our modern society becomes highly interconnected where power supply is not only providing energy between many distributed sources and loads but are also a main path of interference, especially in large complex systems, platforms and facilities, where interoperability of the electronic systems has to be achieved. There is an urgent need to train new researchers with a closer interaction of electrical power and power electronics with information technology and communications equipment. The ETOPIA consortium of key academic partners, supported by industry, has been brought together not only to train a sufficient number of qualified researchers but also to provide the fundamental research that underpins future technological developments. The detailed coordinated multidisciplinary multinational doctoral training program will provide the trainee researchers with a complete broad experience and at the same time allow them to develop and eventually lead their focused area of research. The program will focus on the development of novel methods to model, simulate, design, evaluate, measure and monitor. ETOPIA will also develop corrective economical measures for a safe, reliable, efficient and greener electrical power distribution system in and between buildings and vehicles. Specific innovations expected to be achieved through ETOPIA are methodologies to optimize the design of complex electrical/electronic installations with respect to compatibility and efficiency. Dissemination methods to realize optimal impact will include scientific publications, presentations and workshops, summer schools, training of engineers in industry and dissemination through newsletters, interviews, school visits, websites and social media.

In the Rome Declaration, of 25 March 2017, EU leaders’ called for ’a Union where citizens have new opportunities for cultural and social development and economic growth’ and pledged to work towards ’a Union where young people receive the best education and training and can study and find jobs across the continent’. Therefore, in higher education great emphasis has already been placed on internationalisation in order to develop the transversal skills of students. In contrast, currently widespread methods of mobility reach only a very limited number of students. Especially considering the many social and physically disadvantaged students in Europe, this is an intolerable situation. Moreover, a modern workforce simply requires employees possess interpersonal skills to act as real European citizens. In addition to the international aspects, employers in a globalised world seek graduates with skills related to digitalisation and interdisciplinary competencies. This is where “New Modes of Mobility” (NewM) addresses students, teachers and higher educational institutions. By creating modules and courses with aspects of virtual and hybrid mobility, barriers to gaining experience in internationalisation and digitalisation will be lowered. With this inclusive approach, socioeconomic, financial and health issues can be overcome, and a substantially higher number of students will be able to benefit from a state-of-the-art educational system. All the partners – University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (FHWS) in Germany, Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SeAMK) in Finland, Stichting Fontys in the Netherlands, University of Zielona Góra (UZ) in Poland, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu (ULBS) in Romania and University of Debrecen in Hungary – will test the developed modules and courses. These are expected to increase•amount of students involved in international teaching and learning concepts – at least by 100%•awareness of internationalisation and transversal skills among students•knowhow of teachers as well as curriculum designers•joint course and curriculum design and implementation•number of students applying for learning mobility.The results will be presented at national and European level conferences and networks. Open access to the material developed - new models of mobility, virtual guide to build the capacity of the teachers to implement internationalisation at home, framework on a curriculum level, and New-Modes eBook - will be provided to other HEIs. National level education authorities will be sensitised on the results in order to present internationalisation at home as a vital option for educational institutions at all levels. Internationalisation at home should become a norm rather than an exception.