FENCO-ERA: An Initiative of Twelve Member States Supported by the European Commission to Coordinate Their National Programmes

摘要

Global energy demand is anticipated to grow by about 60% by 2030 (compared to 2003 level) and it will continue to rely on fossil energy sources [1]. Satisfying this increased fossil energy demand will pose many challenges, in particular concerns about global climate change and security of energy supply. Therefore a strategy needs to be adopted that embraces the use of fossil fuels alongside energy from other sources. Many European countries do have programmes to develop such a strategy. However, the problems of global warming and a sustainable energy supply system cannot be solved by one party alone, but require concerted actions by the world community. FENCO-ERA aims at the coordination of the European Union Member States' fossil fuel related R,D&D programmes in order to prevent duplication of work by sharing knowledge and funding options. The focus of this project is on national programmes in the field of power generation aiming at improved energy efficiency in combination with the further development and implementation of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies. Several actions have already been taken, such as the set up of a questionnaire on the individual countries' research programmes and of a database based on the questionnaire results which will reveal gaps and overlaps between European countries. Furthermore strong links to the European Technology Platform on Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants (ETP ZEFFPP) have been established. Further steps will include the development of a common strategy and possibly joint calls and transnational actions in the future based on the analysis of the database.