The use of renewable energy sources in Europe will increase, leading to a more sustainable energy mix, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a lower dependency from oil. In pursuit of the Kyoto protocol and the revised Lisbon strategy the European Union has set itself the ambitious goal to derive 12% of its total energy consumption from renewable energy sources by 2010.
The Framework Programmes for Research and Development (FP) of the European Union have contributed from their beginning to the development of renewable energy technologies. These Community actions have a proven European added value in terms of building critical mass, strengthening excellence and exercising a catalytic effect on national activities. In combination with national activities, working atEuropean level with an adequate combination of innovation and regulatory measures has produced
substantial results.
For example technological progress has enabled a ten-fold increase in the sizes of wind turbines, from 50 kW units to 5 MW, in 25 years and a cost reduction of more than 50% over the last 15 years. In consequence, the installed capacity has increased 16 times in the last ten years to reach 40 GW in Europe. In 2005, the world production of photovoltaic modules was 1760 MW compared to 90 MW in 1996. Over the same period, the average module price has decreased from about 10 €/W (1996) to about 3 €/W (2005).The average annual growth rate of about 35% in the past decade makes photovoltaics one of the fastest growing energy industries.
The European technology platforms (ETPs) established in the energy field (hydrogen and fuel cells, photovoltaics, biofuels, solar thermal technologies, wind energy, smart grids, zero-emission fossil fuels power plant) have demonstrated the readiness of the research community and industry, together with other important stakeholders, such as civil society organisations, to develop a common vision and establish specific roadmaps to achieve it. These technology platforms are already having an influence on the European and national programmes. The platforms themselves are calling for action at European level and a framework for the elaboration of large-scale integrated initiatives needs to be developed for this to happen.
Amongst the 64 projects presented by the EC last month, the photovoltaics and biomass were the most important sectors, supported with 66.5 M€ and 82.5 M€ respectively, while for the other sources of renewable energy such as wind, geothermal, solar concentrating and ocean energy 45.5 M€ were spent in total. The socio-economic aspects of renewable energy were also studied in projects funded to the level of 20 M€.
European Commission is now supporting Renewable Energy projects using the 7th Framework Programme (FP7). If you have a project concept and looking for funding, please get in touch using the feedback form below.
