Renewables get half of research money

Series Title
Series Details Vol.11, No.42, 24.11.05
Publication Date 24/11/2005
Content Type

Date: 24/11/05

As governments prepare to discuss the best way of cutting CO2 emissions after 2012, the European Commission is reminding them what it is already doing to promote renewable energy.

A two-day conference in Brussels this week (21-22 November) saw experts discussing the way forward for green energy sources such as wind and solar power, with the emphasis on the importance of research.

Half of all the money spent under the EU energy research programme goes to renewable energy - EUR 440 million a year since 2002, more than either Japan or the US are investing.

European Research Commissioner Janez Potoc

nik said that he wanted to see a "transformation of the current fossil fuel-based energy system" into something more environmentally friendly as well as more self sufficient.

To this end, the Commission will be launching a 'zero emissions technology platform' on 1 December. Technology platforms are basically debating forums for specific renewable sectors. Their membership includes industry figures and environmentalists.

The Commission also has plans for platforms on wind, transport biofuels and solar thermal, to follow the creation of hydrogen and photovoltaics platforms.

Article reports on a conference entitled 'Renewable Energy for Europe – Research in Action' hosted by the European Union's DG Research in Brussels, 21-22 November 2005. Article is part of a European Voice Special Report: 'Climate Change (COP11 and MOP1 Conference)'.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.european-voice.com/
Related Links
European Commission: Press Release: IP/05/1447, Green energy sector comes together to examine its research agenda, 21.11.05 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/05/1447&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
European Commission: DG Research: Energy Research: Events: Renewable Energy for Europe – Research in Action, 21-22 November 2005 http://ec.europa.eu/comm/research/energy/gp/gp_events/action/article_2790_en.htm

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