Final Report Summary - SETBRU (Strategic Energy Technology Plan conference 2010, Brussels)
The SET-Plan 2010 conference was organised by the Flemish government, Department of Economy, Science and Innovation (EWI) in close collaboration with both DG RTD and DG ENER. The event was the fourth conference since the first SET-Plan communication in 2007. The Belgian conference was held five months after the Spanish SET-Plan conference.
The main objective of the conference was to communicate on the progress of the implementation of the SET-Plan three years after the launch of the first European SET-Plan communication 'Towards a low carbon future'. More than 500 participants from industry, research institutes and academia, the financial community and from the policy field attended the conference to discuss the state of play of the SET-Plan. Coffee breaks, lunch and an informal walking dinner at the end of the first day of the conference ensured the necessary networking opportunities for all participants.
The highlight of the first day was the launch of the two next European industrial initiatives (EIIs) for bioenergy and for nuclear. In addition, an overview was given of the substantial progress made by the EIIs launched in June 2010: notably the wind, solar, electricity grid and CCS EIIs. The joint undertaking fuel cells and hydrogen gave a state of play of their joint technology initiative. The setup of the industrial initiative on smart cities, being a demand side driven initiative rather than a technology driven initiative was discussed. The European Energy Research Alliance, founded in 2008, launched the next three joint research programmes on bioenergy, materials for nuclear and CCS. The European University Association launched the European platform of universities engaged in energy research (EPEU).
The second day of the conference focused on the need to develop a coherent European approach for international science and technology (S&T) cooperation in the SET-Plan. A productive discussion was held following presentations on existing frameworks on international cooperation, international organisations active in energy technology and on best practices at community level, member states, research centre or industry level in order to identify relevant elements for the SET-Plan.
The conference stressed the sense of urgency to start with the concrete implementation of joint actions and projects in the SET-Plan via a stronger cooperation and coordination of the science, technology and innovation efforts of all member states and regions in Europe and the need to develop an international S&T cooperation dimension as an integral part of the SET-Plan.
The direct impact of the Belgian SET-Plan conference was very clear. All participants received an overview of the progress of the SET-Plan and its action lines. The conference contributed to the awareness raising of the SET-Plan to a broad range of stakeholders in the European and international energy and climate policy field (industry, policy makers, researchers, consumers and civil society organisations).
With regard to the reinforcement of the international cooperation dimension within the SET-Plan, this conference could be regarded as a kick off. During the second day of the conference a productive discussion was held following presentations on existing frameworks on international cooperation, international organisations active in energy technology and on best practices at community level, member states, research centre or industry level in order to identify relevant elements for the SET-Plan. The outcomes of these presentations and discussions are paving the way for the development of the international cooperation strategy within the SET-Plan.
The participation of European strategic key stakeholders of the SET-Plan in the conference guaranteed the high level and relevance of the discussions. The chairs of the sessions were actively involved in the sessions feeding the debate with challenging questions leading to a clear vision on how to proceed. To ensure a well-balanced conference audience, invitations were sent to a mailing list consisting of a list of participants of the previous SET-plan conferences, a list of key stakeholders in the energy and energy research policy domain (steering group, Sherpa group, Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) committee energy, EIIs, EERA) provided by the European Commission (EC) and a list of Belgian key stakeholders in energy and energy research who were identified by a study conducted under the auspices of the EWI department.
For optimal dissemination, the international, national and specialised press was invited and a press release was sent to give the conference more public visibility and to create awareness. In addition, the EWI department made use of all available communication channels within the department. The conference was announced in the quarterly magazine, electronic newsletter and on the website of the department. The conference was also published on the official website of the Belgian presidency. With reference to the Belgian key stakeholders in energy and energy research, an information day and workshops were organised where the SET-Plan was presented. Within the department, the conference was announced on the extranet and through an information session for the department's employees.
The main resource of information for participants and interested stakeholders was the conference website. The conference programme, all presentations, conclusions and background documents, etc. were posted on the website as soon as they were available. In addition, the website provided participants with all practical information regarding the conference.
The main objective of the conference was to communicate on the progress of the implementation of the SET-Plan three years after the launch of the first European SET-Plan communication 'Towards a low carbon future'. More than 500 participants from industry, research institutes and academia, the financial community and from the policy field attended the conference to discuss the state of play of the SET-Plan. Coffee breaks, lunch and an informal walking dinner at the end of the first day of the conference ensured the necessary networking opportunities for all participants.
The highlight of the first day was the launch of the two next European industrial initiatives (EIIs) for bioenergy and for nuclear. In addition, an overview was given of the substantial progress made by the EIIs launched in June 2010: notably the wind, solar, electricity grid and CCS EIIs. The joint undertaking fuel cells and hydrogen gave a state of play of their joint technology initiative. The setup of the industrial initiative on smart cities, being a demand side driven initiative rather than a technology driven initiative was discussed. The European Energy Research Alliance, founded in 2008, launched the next three joint research programmes on bioenergy, materials for nuclear and CCS. The European University Association launched the European platform of universities engaged in energy research (EPEU).
The second day of the conference focused on the need to develop a coherent European approach for international science and technology (S&T) cooperation in the SET-Plan. A productive discussion was held following presentations on existing frameworks on international cooperation, international organisations active in energy technology and on best practices at community level, member states, research centre or industry level in order to identify relevant elements for the SET-Plan.
The conference stressed the sense of urgency to start with the concrete implementation of joint actions and projects in the SET-Plan via a stronger cooperation and coordination of the science, technology and innovation efforts of all member states and regions in Europe and the need to develop an international S&T cooperation dimension as an integral part of the SET-Plan.
The direct impact of the Belgian SET-Plan conference was very clear. All participants received an overview of the progress of the SET-Plan and its action lines. The conference contributed to the awareness raising of the SET-Plan to a broad range of stakeholders in the European and international energy and climate policy field (industry, policy makers, researchers, consumers and civil society organisations).
With regard to the reinforcement of the international cooperation dimension within the SET-Plan, this conference could be regarded as a kick off. During the second day of the conference a productive discussion was held following presentations on existing frameworks on international cooperation, international organisations active in energy technology and on best practices at community level, member states, research centre or industry level in order to identify relevant elements for the SET-Plan. The outcomes of these presentations and discussions are paving the way for the development of the international cooperation strategy within the SET-Plan.
The participation of European strategic key stakeholders of the SET-Plan in the conference guaranteed the high level and relevance of the discussions. The chairs of the sessions were actively involved in the sessions feeding the debate with challenging questions leading to a clear vision on how to proceed. To ensure a well-balanced conference audience, invitations were sent to a mailing list consisting of a list of participants of the previous SET-plan conferences, a list of key stakeholders in the energy and energy research policy domain (steering group, Sherpa group, Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) committee energy, EIIs, EERA) provided by the European Commission (EC) and a list of Belgian key stakeholders in energy and energy research who were identified by a study conducted under the auspices of the EWI department.
For optimal dissemination, the international, national and specialised press was invited and a press release was sent to give the conference more public visibility and to create awareness. In addition, the EWI department made use of all available communication channels within the department. The conference was announced in the quarterly magazine, electronic newsletter and on the website of the department. The conference was also published on the official website of the Belgian presidency. With reference to the Belgian key stakeholders in energy and energy research, an information day and workshops were organised where the SET-Plan was presented. Within the department, the conference was announced on the extranet and through an information session for the department's employees.
The main resource of information for participants and interested stakeholders was the conference website. The conference programme, all presentations, conclusions and background documents, etc. were posted on the website as soon as they were available. In addition, the website provided participants with all practical information regarding the conference.