Improving infrastructure for energy research
European energy policy requires a drastic reduction of greenhouse gases (GHGs), switching to biofuels and construction of a new generation of fission reactors by 2020. To meet these challenging goals, an array of new technologies must be designed, tested and implemented within the energy industry in a short period of time. That, in turn, requires a significant change in research infrastructure devoted to the energy sector. To tackle this problem, the 'Belgian EU Presidency conference on infrastructures for energy research' (ENERI 2010) project team organised a conference on infrastructure for energy research during the Belgian Presidency of the European Council. The conference was a two day event held in Brussels that brought together the scientific community, politicians and business people working in the energy sector. One of the most important topics discussed at the meeting was the plan to improve training in the energy sector and expand research institutes. Energy leaders considered ways to attract world-class human capital, advance science education and intensify research in the area of renewable energy technologies. Increased efforts in research and development (R&D) and energy technology innovation will be necessary to meet the European energy and climate goals as well as to improve the industry competitiveness. The ENERI 2010 project contributed to realising these goals by fostering open discussion between different members of the energy sector. To disseminate their conclusions, the Conference organisers published two articles in the Science Connection magazine and uploaded presentations, available at http://www.eneri2010.be online.