A research and innovation vision to foster CO2-free energy
The Technology Platform (TP) on zero emission fossil fuel power plants (ZEFFPP) was launched on 1 December. The final goal of the platform is to reduce the environmental impact of fossil fuel use so that, by 2020, fossil fuel power plants are capable of delivering, in an economically viable manner, near zero CO2 emissions. The platform brings together all European, national, regional and local research, development and deployment programmes and initiatives in this scientific field as well as energy companies, equipment suppliers, users, consumers, financial institutions, regulators, public authorities,. It also boasts the balanced and active participation of major stakeholders with the objective of reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuel use Speaking at the launch, European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potocnik said: 'If we act now to reduce fossil fuel emissions and do so together, we have a good chance of making a difference to the seemingly inevitable process of climate change. The partners in the Zero Emissions Technology Platform have the opportunity to make a serious contribution to our future.' Indeed, in aiming for the development of a completely environmentally friendly way of using fossil fuels for electricity generation within the next 20 years, the platform partners is playing a crucial role in enabling EU to fulfil its commitments to mitigate climate change, a serious threat that will have a significant global impact. Through its common vision and strategic research agenda, the TP will identify and remove technological, financial and regulatory obstacles to the creation of zero emission power plants. A common approach will also ensure sustainability and compatibility, and will help to drive down costs and attract investment, both public and private. The platform will focus in particular on CO2 capture and underground storage. Massive reductions of CO2 from fossil fuel power generation could be achieved through the introduction and deployment of zero emissions systems that involve CO2 capture and geological storage (CCS). The aim is to develop technologies that capture carbon dioxide emissions at source, as they are produced by power stations, and then store them underground to avoid them interacting with the atmosphere - the process that generates the greenhouse effect. The EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) is investing around 70 million euro in this field, with the aim of helping European companies and researchers to lead the world in this area of research and development. The aims of the TP fit with the approach taken in FP6 of looking at the short and medium term needs of the energy sector, as well as supporting basic research into possible future sources of energy. The objectives of the ZEFFPP TP are equally in line with the proposed FP7 priority of 'Near Zero Emission Power Generation', which addresses clean conversion technologies. The concept of 'Technology Platform' was established by the European Commission to promote an integrated research approach based in private-public partnerships. The platform brings together producers, industry, research institutions and European level regulatory authorities, to define a common long-term research agenda. This agenda is based on a common research and development (R&D) vision for that sector, signposting how it will move forward.