This event marks the opening of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Innovation and Technology Centre (IITC) upon the occasion of its inauguration of the IITC. This office in Bonn, Germany, is to compliment the work of IRENA's headquarters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), by working towards a framework for renewable energy technology support, as well as cost reduction potentials and policies to support innovation and increased use of standards. The event on 7 October will consist of an opening ceremony and panel discussion titled “Towards the Age of Renewables.” The event will be attended by high-level government and international organization representatives, and will be open to the press. On 6 October, a pre-inauguration workshop on renewables competitiveness and innovation will be held. The workshop will have sessions on: the economics of renewables, focusing on competitiveness, costs and benefits; innovation for accelerated development; the next big developments in renewables; and the IITC roadmap.  

dates: 6-7 October 2011   venue: Steigenberger Grandhotel Petersberg   location: Bonn, Germany   contact: Mahenau Agha   phone: +971 (0)241 79062   e-mail: irenapress@irena.org   www: http://enb.iisd.org/crs/irena/iitco/