Following a broad technology portfolio approach, in accordance with the conclusions of the green paper “Towards a European strategy for the security of energy supply” , research will focus on the development of cost-effective technologies for a more sustainable energy economy for Europe (and world-wide) and allow European industry to compete successfully on the global stage. Activities will address all time horizons and embrace the whole chain from fundamental and applied research and technological development through to large-scale technology demonstration (“lighthouse projects”), underpinned by cross-cutting and socio-economic research to validate research results and to provide a rational basis for policy decisions and market framework development. Wherever possible, an integrated approach will be adopted, stimulating the necessary feedback and cooperation between the various stakeholders concerned. Integrated actions that cut across or exploit the synergies between different research areas will be encouraged.
Strengthening the competitiveness of the European energy sector, in the face of severe global competition, is an important objective of this Theme, providing the capability for European industry to attain or maintain world leadership in key energy technologies. In particular, SMEs are the lifeblood of the energy sector, play a vital role in the energy chain and will be key to promoting innovation. Their strong participation in research and demonstration activities is essential and will be actively promoted.
The strategic research agendas and deployment strategies developed by European Technology Platforms (ETP) are an important input for the research priorities in the Theme.
Such platforms are established on:

• Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
• Photovoltaic
• Biofuels
• Solar Thermal
• Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plant
• SmartGrids
• Wind Energy
  
  The ETP on hydrogen and fuels cells will form the basis for a Joint Technology Initiative.

International cooperation Activities:

• International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE),
• Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF)
• Johannesburg Renewable Energy Coalition (JREC)
• EU Energy Initiative for poverty eradication and sustainable development (EUEI)
  

• Hydrogen and fuel cells
  The integrated research and deployment strategy developed by the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform provides the basis for a strategic, integrated programme for transport, stationary and portable applications, aimed at providing a strong technological foundation for building a competitive EU fuel cell and hydrogen supply and equipment industry. The programme will comprise: fundamental and applied research and technological development; large-scale demonstration (“lighthouse”) projects to validate research results and provide feedback for further research; cross-cutting and socio-economic research activities.
  
  
• Renewable electricity generation
  Development and demonstration of integrated technologies for electricity production from renewables, suited to different regional conditions, in order to provide the means to raise substantially the share of renewable electricity production in the EU. Research should increase overall conversion efficiency, significantly drive down the cost of electricity, enhance process reliability and further reduce the environmental impact. Emphasis will be on photovoltaics, wind and biomass (including biodegradable fraction of waste). Furthermore, research will aim at realising the full potential of other renewable energy sources: geothermal, thermal solar, ocean and hydropower.
  
  
• Renewable fuel production
  Development and demonstration of improved conversion technologies for the sustainable production and supply chains of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels from biomass (incl. biodegradable fraction of waste), in particular biofuels for transport. Emphasis should be on new types of biofuels as well as on new production and distribution routes for existing biofuels, including the integrated production of energy and other added-value products through biorefineries.
  
  
• Renewables for heating and cooling
  Development and demonstration of a portfolio of technologies to increase the potential of heating and cooling from renewable energy sources to contribute to sustainable energy. The aim is to achieve substantial cost reductions, increase efficiencies, further reduce environmental impacts and optimise the use of technologies in different regional conditions. Research and demonstration should include new systems and components for industrial applications (incl. thermal seawater desalination), district and/or dedicated space heating and cooling, building integration and energy storage.
  
  
• CO2 capture and storage technologies for zero emission power generation
  Fossil fuels will inevitably continue to contribute a significant share of the energy mix for decades to come. To make this option compatible with the environment, particularly as regards climate change, drastic reductions in the adverse environmental impacts of fossil fuel use are needed, aiming at highly efficient power generation with near zero emissions. The development and demonstration of efficient and reliable CO2 capture and storage technologies are crucial, aiming at decreasing the cost of CO2 capture and storage to less than 20€/tonne, with capture rates above 90%, as well as proving the long-term stability, safety and reliability of CO2 storage.
  
  
• Clean coal technologies
  Coal fuelled power plants remain the workhorse of electricity generation worldwide, but have considerable potential for further efficiency gains and emissions reductions, particularly concerning CO2. To maintain competitiveness and contribute to the management of CO2 emissions, the development and demonstration of clean coal conversion technologies will be supported to significantly increase plant efficiency and reliability, minimise pollutant emissions and reduce overall costs, under various operating conditions.
  
  
• Smart energy networks
  To facilitate the transition to a more sustainable energy system, a wide-ranging R&D effort is required to increase the efficiency, flexibility, safety and reliability of the European electricity and gas systems and networks. For electricity networks, the goals of transforming the current electricity grids into a resilient and interactive (customers/operators) service network and removing the obstacles to the large-scale deployment and effective integration of renewable energy sources and distributed generation (e.g. fuel cells, microturbines, reciprocating engines). For gas networks, the objective is to demonstrate more intelligent and efficient processes and systems for gas transport and distribution, including the effective integration of renewable energy sources.
  
  
• Energy efficiency and savings
  The vast potential for energy savings and improvements in energy efficiency  need to be harnessed through the optimisation, validation and demonstration of new concepts and technologies for buildings, services and industry. This incorporates the combination of sustainable strategies and technologies for increased energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy and poly-generation and the integration of demand management systems at large scale in cities and communities. These large-scale actions may be supported by innovative R&D addressing specific components or technologies, e.g. for poly-generation and eco-buildings. including the use of new fuels in dedicated fleets.
  
  
• Knowledge for energy policy making
  Development of tools, methods and models to assess the main economic and social issues related to energy technologies. Activities will include the building of databases and scenarios for an enlarged EU and the assessment of the impact of energy and energy-related policies on security of supply, environment, society and competitiveness of the energy industry.
  

Duration: 2007 - 2013
Responsabilities:
- DG TREN/Directorate D – focus on research with a shorter term perspective
- DG RESEARCH/ Directorate K – focus on research with a longer term perspective
Budget: 2.350 Mill. Euro