This summit recognizes that (1) energy economy, (2) ocean economy and (3) sustainable, development are important inter-related areas of innovation and commerce that will drive the southeast U.S. to the future. The southeast region has the largest energy economy in the eastern U.S., and its energy innovation assets have high potential to make a large impact in domestic and global markets (Southeast Energy Innovation Collaborative). This region also has a strong and growing ocean economy that employed 397,000 people, generated $11.2 Billion in wages, and $25.5 Billion of gross domestic product in 2015 alone (NOAA).
Fábio Coelho, INESC TEC researcher, introduced the InterConnect project, presenting its goals and how it was possible to build such a large consortium with partners from all spectrums.