THERMIE provides ECU 110 million for energy projects
A total of 236 new projects in the fields of rational energy use, renewable energy sources and fossil fuels are shortly to be launched with EU funding. The new projects have been selected for funding within THERMIE, the demonstration component of the EU's Non-nuclear Energy research programme, following evaluation of the call for proposals published in September 1997 (OJ No C 280 of 16.9.1997 p. 10). With EU funding totalling ECU 110.5 million, the new projects are aimed at developing new technologies and applications in the framework of clean and efficient energy use. One hundred and sixteen of the projects will be full-scale demonstration projects, while a further 120 associated measures such as studies and conferences will also be funded. Broken down by area, examples of fields addressed by demonstration projects include: - Rational use of energy (43 projects, ECU 29.4 million): process integration, energy management and reduction/recycling of wastes, fuel cells for transport and electric vehicles, and new optimised energy technologies for buildings; - Renewable energy sources (38 projects, ECU 23.2 million): use of wind turbines in unconventional sites, new photovoltaic applications, environmental mitigation measures for small hydro-electric plants, and new geothermal applications; - Fossil fuels (35 projects, ECU 43.6 million): natural gas technologies, off-shore and deep water technological applications, advanced cycles in new coal plant and co-combustion, efficiency improvements and advanced use of waste in power generation.