Brussels earmarks billions for energy research, with smart grids a priority

The development of smart networks will be a priority for research budgets worth billions of Euros proposed by the European Commission that can be tapped by innovative utilities seeking to boost their research and development spending.

The money will be part of the new proposed Euro €80 billion European Union (EU) research programme called Horizon 2020 – which will run from 2014 to 2020. In background documents, the Commission highlights how it has earmarked €6.1 billion over these seven years for studies and technology development aimed at promoting clean and efficient energy production and distribution. Commitments will be made from 2014, with annual spending rising from €91 million in 2014 to €1.6 billion in 2021, the year after the programme officially ends.

Utilities will be able to apply for the money by forming international research consortia with other companies, universities and research centres.

Brussels has also set out priorities for spending within this broad theme. These include the development of a smart EU electricity grid; low-cost low-carbon electricity supplies; and the commercialisation of new energy technologies and services. A Commission memorandum commented the objective of the energy spending is “to make the transition to a reliable, sustainable and competitive energy system, in the face of increasingly scarce resources, increasing energy needs and climate change.”

Other broad priority areas of spending with relevance to utilities will be on reducing climate change and efficient use of raw materials – for which €3.36 billion has been set aside in the proposals; future and emerging technologies – €3.3 billion. The proposals will need approval by the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers to go ahead, and debates will be staged in the coming year – they may not be completed until 2013.

By Keith Nuthall