Energy RD&D options for a sustainable future
The European Commission, DG XII, has published an "Overview of energy RD&D options for a sustainable future", the report of phase II of a project funded by the JOULE component of the Community's Specific RTD programme in the field of Non-nuclear Energy (JOULE/THERMIE). The overview was compiled by the University of Utrecht (the Netherlands), FhG-ISI (Germany), ENEA (Italy) and the University of Lund (Sweden). The aim of the project is to evaluate existing research, development and demonstration strategies in the EU, EU Member States and some other OECD countries from the point of view of stability, and presenting proposals for updating strategies. Having defined energy RD&D objectives, phase II of the project consists of providing an overview of options. The third and fourth phases involve constructing a database on existing energy RD&D programmes and providing updated strategies for energy RD&D. The two main criteria used for evaluating RD&D options were the research potential, and the cost-effectiveness of the research. The overview looks firstly at achieving energy efficiency in a number of areas, including industry, buildings, transportation and agriculture, as well as long-term prospects for efficient energy use. Secondly, it looks at research into individual energy sources, including: - Biomass; - Photovoltaic solar; - Solar thermal; - Wind; - Geothermal; - Combined generation of heat and power; - Fuel cells; - Clean coal technologies; - Carbon dioxide removal.