Fifth Framework Programme - External Advisory Groups

First report to the Commission from the External Advisory Group on Key Action "Cleaner Energy Systems" and "Economic and Efficient Energy"

This report is also available as PDF-file: energy1.pdf (45 Kb)

1. Over 2 meetings in November 1998, the EAG reviewed the Commission's preliminary discussion documents on the elements for the two Key Actions "Cleaner Energy Systems" and "Economic and Efficient Energy" of the Specific Programme "Preserving the Ecosystem".

OBJECTIVES

2. The Group concluded that the proposed content of the Workprogramme was consistent with the overall aims and priorities set out in the Council's provisional Specific Programme orientation of 13 October. Across the two Key Actions there was a balanced coverage of the principal challenges in the energy related fields. Accordingly, it was recognised that there was a measured response to the follow-up to Kyoto and the political and economic requirement for clean, competitive, secure and reliable supplies of energy.

3. The Group considered that there was an appropriate and balanced coverage of the principal problems for which EU level RTD could make an impact. These include problems associated with clean and efficient conversion of fossil fuels, recognising that they would be with us for many years to come; the exploitation of new and renewable energy sources, and the need to encourage the take-up of clean and efficient use of energy in the areas of most intensive energy consumption.

4. The Group welcomed the inclusion of problems arising from the liberalisation of energy markets, including those associated with embedded renewables and other local generation into weak grids, the distribution and transmission of energy, and energy storage. In this respect, the involvement of all stakeholders in the planning, execution and exploitation phases was seen as essential. Noting that the opening of markets had also led to a substantial reduction in the energy research base, the Group considered that FP5 is a vital instrument in re-establishing a sound strategic technology base.

5. The Group considered that the two energy Key Actions should be managed as a single entity, recognising their interdependence. It should be possible, indeed welcomed, that proposals are able, in responding to priority problems, to cover more than one theme/bullet in one or both of the energy Key Actions. 6. The Group considered a clear distinction between the two Key Actions on the one hand, and the Generic activities on the other. The Generic activity was the obvious place in which socio-economic tools could be developed, while their application was most appropriate within 2 Key Actions and, in particular, 2.6.

7. Effective co-ordination with other key actions was considered to be essential for achieving the strategic objectives of the Specific Programme. This included appropriate links with other key actions in this Programme such as the "City of Tomorrow and Cultural Heritage", and key actions in the Specific Programme "Competitive and Sustainable Growth".

8. With regard to the applicability of results, the Group proposed that "short term" should cover market realisation in 5 years or less, medium term in 5-10 years, and long term in more than 10 years. This classification, applied to the problems to be addressed, was seen as consistent with meeting post-Kyoto obligations. It was noted that while demonstration was likely to be the principal activity for the short term, research was also needed. Meeting long- and medium-term objectives may also require demonstration activities in addition to basic or more applied research.

9. The Group noted, when considering the efficient use of energy in the built environment, that a whole system approach extending to groups of buildings should be given greater prominence. It also noted the increasing energy requirements arising from the supply of "cold".

QUANTIFICATION OF TARGETS

10. The Group welcomed the approach taken by the Commission setting, in each bullet of each of the 2 Key Actions, clear targets which, wherever possible, were quantified. The Group insisted that the technological pathways should not be prescribed - it was up to proposers to choose them. It was recognised that the proposers would need to convince the independent proposal evaluators on the merits of their approach.

11. Regarding the quantified targets, it should be made clear to potential proposers that it is not to be expected that targets are completely fulfilled in a single proposal. Nevertheless, they are a clear indication of the scale of socio-economic impact to which an individual proposal should aspire. A complete "set" or "cluster" of proposals around a targeted problem would, together, be expected to substantially meet the specified targets.

12. The Group suggested some refinements to the targets and, in some cases, to propose targets where these were missing.

PRIORITIES FOR 1999

13. The Group endorsed the Commission's approach of breaking the Workprogramme down into a set of targetted elements for each call for proposals. Elements may embrace themes in one or both of the Energy Key actions. The Group reviewed the set of targetted elements proposed by the Commission and suggested they should be adapted to read as follows :

1. Increasing overall efficiency and reducing emissions from large-scale generation of electricity and heat from X%(1) today to Y% in 2010 and Z% in 2020
2. Increasing electricity and heat generation from renewable sources from 6% today to 12% in 2010 and 18% in 2020 aiming at improved efficiencies and clear cost reduction
3. Integration of renewable energy sources into energy systems, isolated regions/islands and hybrid applications
4. Utility scale applications of renewable energy systems (biomass and wind farms above 30 Mwe, PV distributed systems above 5 MWp.)
5. High quality transmission and distribution of electricity, gas and heat facilitating embedded generation
6. Efficient, environmentally sensitive and safe exploration, extraction and production, conditioning and transport of hydrocarbons
7. Reducing energy intensity of the most energy consuming industries by 20% (Co-ordinate with Programme 3)
8. Clean and efficient vehicles and transport (Co-ordinate with City of Tomorrow and Programme 3)
9. Efficient use of energy in in the built environment including renewable energy (Co-ordinate with City of Tomorrow and Programme 3)
10. Improving system performance and cost reduction for fuel cells and small gas turbines for static and mobile applications (Co-ordinate with City of Tomorrow and Programme 3)
11. Economical and compact energy storage for macro and micro applications (Co-ordinate with City of Tomorrow and Programme 3)
12. Policy support tools and impact assessment of technologies and clusters
13. In considering the priorities for 1999 the Group noted the likely budget of some 220 million Euro. When the Commission presents its 1999 priorities, the Group recommended that it should also be made clear to the research community that there should be an early second call for proposals, ideally launched with the first, for the 2000 budget. In principle the start of contracts from the second call need not be more than a few months later than those arising from 1999 priorities.
14. Noting that the European Parliament was proposing that of the available budget for 1999, 60% should go to renewables of which 75% should be on demonstration, the Group was concerned that an a priori distribution as proposed by the European Parliament would make it very difficult to achieve the integrated approach necessary to reach programme goals.
15. The Group reviewed the Commission's proposed priorities for 1999. To be in line with meeting Kyoto objectives the Group considered that emphasis should be given to the more efficient clean conversion of fossil fuels and the take up of new and renewable energy sources. As to efficient use of energy, reducing the energy intensity of industrial processes was seen as the first priority but a clear signal should be given to the research community that efficient use of energy was of major importance and would be one of the first priorities for early 2000.

• Increasing overall efficiency and reducing emissions from large-scale generation of electricity and heat from X%(1) today to Y% in 2010 and Z% in 2020
• Increasing electricity and heat generation from renewable sources from 6% today to 12% in 2010 and 18% in 2020 aiming at improved efficiencies and clear cost reduction
• Integration of renewable energy sources into energy systems, isolated regions/islands and hybrid applications
• Utility scale applications of renewable energy systems (biomass and wind farms above 30 Mwe, PV distributed systems above 5 MWp.
• Efficient, environmentally sensitive and safe exploration, extraction and production, conditioning and transport of hydrocarbons
• Reducing energy intensity of the most energy consuming industries by 20% (Co-ordinate with Programme 3).
• Improving system performance for fuel cells and small gas turbines for static and mobile applications (Co-ordinate with City of Tomorrow and Programme 3)

External Advisory groups | Fifth Framework Programme | 17.02.2000