Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for a low carbon and efficient energy system
SMEs play a crucial role in developing resource-efficient, cost-effective and affordable technology solutions to decarbonise and make more efficient the energy system in a sustainable way. They are expected to strongly contribute to one or a combination of more than one of the challenges outlined in the legal base of the Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge ‘Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy’[[Council decision No 2013/743/EU establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon 2020 - The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)]], in particular with regard to:
- Reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint by smart and sustainable use (including energy-efficient products and services as well as ‘Smart Cities and Communities’),
- Low-cost, low-carbon electricity supply (including renewable energy as well as carbon capture and storage and re-use),
- Alternative fuels and mobile energy sources,
- A single, smart European electricity g