Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SETcon 2021 (15th SET-Plan Conference 2021)
Reporting period: 2021-08-01 to 2022-01-31
The aim of the SETcon 2021 project was a successful preparation and execution the 15th Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) Conference (hereinafter: the Conference) and to contribute the energy policy agenda for SET Plan (as an outline on the Horizon Europe, Work Programme 2020-2021 “Climate, Energy and Mobility”).
The Conference took place in Bled on 25-26 November 2021 and was co-organised by the Republic of Slovenia’s Ministry of Infrastructure as entity responsible of all activities on energy policies during the time of Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in hybrid format (on-site and online participation). The tittle of the Conference was “Research & Innovation to deliver a just and sustainable energy transition”.
The link to videos from the 15th SET Plan conference:
https://setplan2021.eu/online-streaming/(opens in new window)
On this link are also photos from the event:
https://setplan2021.eu/gallery/(opens in new window)
The SET Plan assumes that by promoting strengthened cooperation in R&I between the European Commission, Member States and stakeholders (research and industry sectors), we can bring new, efficient and cost-competitive low-carbon technologies faster to the market and deliver the energy transition in a cost-competitive way. Therefore, SET Plan conferences have been organised since 2008 in order to bring together the European R&I community to discuss technologies and innovations that are relevant for the energy transition.
The general objectives of the project were to address current issues of R&I in the energy sector in order to reinforce and enhance the synergies between national and EU policies, develop R&I for deployment and, through addressing the R&I needs in energy transition in relation to current EU policy challenges, improve the overall success of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The Conference took place in Bled on 25-26 November 2021 and was co-organised by the Republic of Slovenia’s Ministry of Infrastructure as entity responsible of all activities on energy policies during the time of Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in hybrid format (on-site and online participation). The tittle of the Conference was “Research & Innovation to deliver a just and sustainable energy transition”.
The link to videos from the 15th SET Plan conference:
https://setplan2021.eu/online-streaming/(opens in new window)
On this link are also photos from the event:
https://setplan2021.eu/gallery/(opens in new window)
The SET Plan assumes that by promoting strengthened cooperation in R&I between the European Commission, Member States and stakeholders (research and industry sectors), we can bring new, efficient and cost-competitive low-carbon technologies faster to the market and deliver the energy transition in a cost-competitive way. Therefore, SET Plan conferences have been organised since 2008 in order to bring together the European R&I community to discuss technologies and innovations that are relevant for the energy transition.
The general objectives of the project were to address current issues of R&I in the energy sector in order to reinforce and enhance the synergies between national and EU policies, develop R&I for deployment and, through addressing the R&I needs in energy transition in relation to current EU policy challenges, improve the overall success of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The project involved the preparation and implementation of the Conference. This covered organisational aspects like preparing the agenda, securing speakers and moderators, creating visual identity of the Conference, choosing the venue and providing online tools for registration and enabling live online participation. Furthermore, the activities also included dissemination and communication (e.g. through targeted invitations and other promotional activities). Finally, this led to the implementation of the Conference.
In the course of two days, the Conference gathered 514 participants (149 on-site and 365 online) representing national authorities, different institutions, industry, academia, civil society and many others. 325 of them were repsresentatives of industry. They had the opportunity to exchange views and experiences and gained practical, relevant scientific knowledge in the field of innovation and development of energy technologies. This is particularly important in the post-Covid-19 pandemic time, matched with high energy prices when we are debating how to make EU’s energy system more resilient to future crises and secure swift clean energy transition. This was also the first SET Plan Conference after the announcement of more ambitious energy and climate legislation with the legislative package “Fit for 55”.
The Conference was organised around four different holistic content sets: a) energy to enable the transition, b) energy for sustainable and inclusive society, c) energy for smart industrial growth and d) the future of SET Plan. Beside the main policy lead programme (panel discussions), side and participatory events, matchmaking and the virtual exhibitions involving the different SET Plan counterparts and Implementation Working Groups (IWGs) contributed to the above-mentioned objectives and to the SET Plan outreach plans. In addition, the Conference included two side events.
Under these pillars numerous topics were addressed, such as management of decentralized energy production, smart grids and renewable energy integration, new regulatory incentives, developing a sustainable and inclusive society, decarbonisation of the industry, connecting countries, industry and stakeholders, how to meet people's needs with SET Plan technologies and what role will SET Plan play in the future.
In the course of two days, the Conference gathered 514 participants (149 on-site and 365 online) representing national authorities, different institutions, industry, academia, civil society and many others. 325 of them were repsresentatives of industry. They had the opportunity to exchange views and experiences and gained practical, relevant scientific knowledge in the field of innovation and development of energy technologies. This is particularly important in the post-Covid-19 pandemic time, matched with high energy prices when we are debating how to make EU’s energy system more resilient to future crises and secure swift clean energy transition. This was also the first SET Plan Conference after the announcement of more ambitious energy and climate legislation with the legislative package “Fit for 55”.
The Conference was organised around four different holistic content sets: a) energy to enable the transition, b) energy for sustainable and inclusive society, c) energy for smart industrial growth and d) the future of SET Plan. Beside the main policy lead programme (panel discussions), side and participatory events, matchmaking and the virtual exhibitions involving the different SET Plan counterparts and Implementation Working Groups (IWGs) contributed to the above-mentioned objectives and to the SET Plan outreach plans. In addition, the Conference included two side events.
Under these pillars numerous topics were addressed, such as management of decentralized energy production, smart grids and renewable energy integration, new regulatory incentives, developing a sustainable and inclusive society, decarbonisation of the industry, connecting countries, industry and stakeholders, how to meet people's needs with SET Plan technologies and what role will SET Plan play in the future.
The Conference set out guidelines for economies to make green and digital transitions and become more sustainable and resilient, and drew conclusions for better policy-making in various areas of the SET Plan.
The conference confirmed that new technologies are essential for the transition to a carbon-free society. With decentralization and greater openness of energy networks, a number of new applications and additional services will emerge. The new ambitious climate goals require us to tremendously accelerate the development and use of clean energy. Finally, it is important to emphasize the need to ensure the widest and deepest possible cooperation between Member States and the European Union institutions, and between Member States themselves.
During the discussions, there was a large agreement among participants on how crucial it is to ensure increased investment in research and innovation. Public and private sector need to join forces especially in the:
- development and deployment of renewable energy sources technologies,
- sectoral integration heat-gas-electricity-mobility,
- hydrogen technologies and energy storage technologies,
- digitalization and artificial intelligence in energy.
The conference confirmed that new technologies are essential for the transition to a carbon-free society. With decentralization and greater openness of energy networks, a number of new applications and additional services will emerge. The new ambitious climate goals require us to tremendously accelerate the development and use of clean energy. Finally, it is important to emphasize the need to ensure the widest and deepest possible cooperation between Member States and the European Union institutions, and between Member States themselves.
During the discussions, there was a large agreement among participants on how crucial it is to ensure increased investment in research and innovation. Public and private sector need to join forces especially in the:
- development and deployment of renewable energy sources technologies,
- sectoral integration heat-gas-electricity-mobility,
- hydrogen technologies and energy storage technologies,
- digitalization and artificial intelligence in energy.