Technology Platform raises temperature for solar thermal energy
European Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs launched the European Solar Thermal Technology Platform on 30 May, praising the idea, and saying that the project would 'play an important role in the future, contributing to a sustainable and competitive Energy policy in Europe'. Solar thermal energy uses lenses or mirrors to reflect and concentrate the sun's energy. This type of power generation is unique because it can store energy, and can therefore be useful even when the sun is not shining. It can also be used for cooling. A technology platform devoted to solar thermal energy will maximise the resources of researchers by sharing technology and best practice, and ensuring that essential work is not duplicated. Technology Platforms for technologies such as solar thermal are in line with the policies outlined by research Commissioner Janez Potocnik, and the blueprint for EU growth through innovation, drawn up by the expert group chaired by former Finnish Prime Minister Esko Aho. The Commissioner explained that the Technology Platform will boost the chances of a sustainable European energy supply in the future. The Commissioner outlined six areas where 'concrete actions are necessary' in the meantime. - The EU needs to ensure that internal gas and electricity supplies are fully deregulated. - The EU's internal market must ensure security of supply and solidarity between Member States. - An EU-wide debate must open into the EU-wide energy mix. - Climate change should be tackled according to the Lisbon objectives, with a particular focus on energy efficiency. - A Strategic Energy Technology Plan should be set-up to maximise the EU's resources, building on work developed under Technology Platforms, and building lead markets. - The EU needs to define its goals and aspirations, and speak with one voice. This penultimate point has particular resonance for researchers. 'The Commission's proposal for the Seventh R&D Framework Programme [FP7] 2007-2013 intends to tackle EU under-investment in research compared to the US and Japan by exerting leverage on national and private investment. Main energy priorities for the period are: hydrogen and fuel cells, renewable power generation, fuel production and heating and cooling technologies, clean coal, CO2 capture and storage for near zero emission generation and energy efficiency and savings,' said the Commissioner. Commissioner Piebalgs said that although the growth in solar thermal energy is encouraging at 12 per cent per year over the last four years, there is much work yet to be done. The installed thermal capacity of collectors in EU 25 was just about 10 GW. This corresponds to 15.5 million square metres of collectors and is well below the EU target of 100 million square metres by 2010, fixed in the White Paper in 1997. The Commissioner also addressed the uneven distribution of solar thermal energy in the EU - Germany, Austria, Greece and Cyprus hold 80 per cent of the EU's installed solar thermal energy plants. He also said that since Europe is the world leader in solar thermal technology, it should produce much more than the 10 per cent of solar panels it currently produces, to increase our world market share and maintain our technology leadership should be a priority. However, the Commissioner believes that a Technology Platform was the right way to address these issues. 'I am convinced that joining our efforts, the Commission and the ESTIF [European Solar Thermal Industry Federation] members will succeed in bringing the solar thermal energy at the place it deserves in the market. I also believe that this will contribute to move towards sustainable energy schemes, to improve EU industry competitiveness and job creation,' he said.