EUROPE: Clean energy ambitions unveiled

The European Commission's recent publication proposing massive spending by the 27 European Union countries on wind and solar energy, carbon capture and nuclear power could put billions of dollars in the hands of European universities and research institutions over the next 10 years.

Brussels says the switch from fossil fuels to clean and renewable sources will require EUR50 billion (US$74 billion) of spending over the decade, which will require almost tripling the annual investment in the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan from EUR3 billion to EUR8 billion, giving university researchers new impetus to study alternative energy.

At the centre of the programme are a slew of EU initiatives for developing wind, solar and bio-energy, nuclear fission, carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) and electricity grids. There is no single indicated mode of financing but rather the whole gamut of private and public resources will be brought into play, including investment in and from educational institutions.

The commission acknowledges there will be risks but argues these should be encouraged: "There has to be 'more risk-taking appetite'. Public support is needed when the level of technological uncertainties and market risk is high. This should act as an incentive for the industry's involvement, supported by a stronger investment of banks and private investors into the companies that will drive the transition to a low carbon economy."

Clearly there will be vast expenditure on energy research throughout the academic-industrial chain. The commission foresees a 'European Research Alliance' featuring research coordination between universities and specialised institutes and a high-level steering group on strategic energy technologies.

The final plan - whose announcement was delayed from last year because of the financial crisis in Europe - allocates EUR6 billion for research into wind energy, which the commission believes could produce a fifth of the EU's electricity by 2020.

These funds would mainly help developments offshore where winds are stronger, by investing in next-generation turbines and new structures. In the solar energy field, EUR16 billion will be spend on developing new photovoltaic concepts and large industrial installations to concentrate solar power which Brussels says could contribute 15% of EU electricity in 10 years.

Bioenergy research would also get EUR9 billion towards its goal of providing 14% of EU energy while electricity grids would receive EUR2 billion so half of the networks could operate along a 'smart grid' principle to integrate renewables and implement the internal energy market.

Carbon capture and storage is set to receive EUR13 billion for up to 12 demonstration projects, and nuclear research would get EUR7 billion for bringing its fourth generation into operation. Up to 30 'Smart Cities' are to build low-carbon houses and transport to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% at a cost of EUR11 billion.

The commission said public-private partnerships were the most credible way to go about funding energy research but did not say how the burden should be shared, nor did it pledge any new EU money. At present, energy research funding, excluding nuclear, is 70% private and 30% public.

There will have to be a 'significant rise' in the public share in the short term to provide incentives to businesses, the commission said.

alan.osborn@uw-news.com