SES research programme objectives

• Reduction of greenhouse gases and pollutant emissions
• Security of energy supply
• Increased use of renewable energy
• Enhanced competitiveness of European industry

SES research Activities

RTD into sustainable energy systems is divided into two areas –

Research in this area is focussed on bringing innovative and cost competitive technologies onto the market by demonstration projects and research into technical, institutional, financial and social issues.

• Clean energy, in particular renewable energy sources and their integration into the energy system, including storage, distribution and use.
• Energy savings and energy efficiency, including those to be achieved through the use of renewable raw materials.
• Alternative motor fuels.

This part of the Thematic Priority is managed by DG Energy and Transport

Research activities having an impact in the medium and long term

In the longer term the aim is to develop new, clean energy sources and carriers which are affordable and can be integrated into energy supply networks.

• Fuel cells, including their applications.
• New technologies for energy carriers/transport and storage, in particular hydrogen.
• New and advanced concepts in renewable energy technologies
• Capture and storage of CO₂, associated with cleaner fossil fuel plants.

This part of the thematic priority is managed by DG Research.

Further information on the NNE programme:

Full details of the content and implementation of the Energy Research Programme can be found on CORDIS– the online Community R&D Information Service.

Programme Overview: including the programme objectives, strategy, structure and content.
Calls for Proposals: listing of all the published Calls, with opening and closing dates.
FP6 Key Documents: access to the information needed to prepare and submit proposals for research projects.
Programme Contacts: full details of National Contact Points in all the Member States.
Currently Funded Projects: listing of all energy research projects by key action and research topic.

More about FP6 research activities:

The Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) sets out the priorities for the European Union’s research, technological development and demonstration (RTD) activities for the period 2002-2006. Much of the €17.5 bn budget will be spent on seven thematic priority areas:

• Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health
• Information society technologies
• Nanotechnologies, multifunctional materials and new production processes
• Aeronautics and space
• Food quality and safety
• Sustainable development, global change and ecosystems
• Citizens and governance in a knowledge based society

One of the main aims of FP6 is the establishment of the European Research Area (ERA). To this end, part of the budget has been allocated to the co-ordination of research activities, and developing research and innovation policies. In addition to this money, the following activity areas have been set up to help structure the ERA:

• Research and innovation
• Human resources and mobility
• Research infrastructures
• Science and society

There is also special support for multi-sector research activities involving Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) and for international co-operation activities. In addition to this a part of the budget has also been set aside for the EURATOM framework programme, which co-ordinates research into nuclear energy.