SETIS Magazine: The relevance of the water-energy nexus for EU policies

The SETIS magazine aims at delivering timely information and analysis on the state of play of energy technologies, related research and innovation efforts in support of the implementation of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan). The current issue is dedicated to The relevance of the water-energy nexus for EU policies. The foreword is provided by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) on The relevance of the water-energy nexus for the EU policies. This issue also hosts interviews with: •Beata Slominska and Carmen Marques Ruiz, working at the European External Action Service ‑ (EEAS). •Pedro Linares and Zarrar Khan, working at the ICAI School of Engineering and the Joint Global Change Research Institute respectively. •Martina Florke and Zita Sebesvari, working at the University of Kassel and at the United Nations University respectively. In this issue, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) contributes with an article on the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus project.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

SETIS Magazine: Energy efficiency in buildings

This edition of SETIS Magazine takes a closer look at the current status of the EU building stock and its future evolution. It discusses the energy transformation of Europe’s buildings, along with the challenges and policy actions ahead. We bring together experts from the research and policy communities to discuss the most relevant and pressing issues on energy efficiency in buildings today. Their input sheds light on the question: What is the potential contribution of buildings in the transition to climate neutrality in 2050?JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Implementing the SET Plan

The SET Plan has confirmed its role as the key EU energy research and innovation initiative that serves the Energy Union goals and delivers the innovations necessary to achieve the European transition to climate-neutrality by 2050. It has put forward a dedicated vision for each technology area by setting ambitious targets to be reached in the next decade(s) with the overall goal to place Europe at the forefront of the next generation of low-carbon energy technologies and of energy efficiency. For each of these technology areas, Implementation plans have been developed that facilitate the meeting of these targets. The 14 Implementation plans cover all the Energy Union Research & Innovation priority areas and the SET Plan 10 actions. They were endorsed by the SET Plan Steering Group(1) and the European Commission in 2018(2). In order to execute the Research & Innovation activities presented in the Implementation plans, interested SET Plan countries, and relevant industrial and research stakeholders have formed Implementation working groups (IWG). These groups have the task to advance the respective Implementation plans, reaching collectively the agreed technology targets. AGENDA 23(3) calls for “each IWG to develop a working methodology based on indicators to monitor the progress of actions under the Implementation plans and feeding the relevant information to the Strategic Energy Technologies Information System (SETIS).” SETIS has created a reporting methodology to facilitate this process, based on templates that have been presented in the 12th SET Plan conference in Bucharest and subsequently validated by the Steering Group members. Following a workshop dedicated to this process, the IWGs have been requested to complete these templates, provided by SETIS, which form the basis of the pilot “2019 SET Plan progress report”. This publication, released during the 13th SET Plan conference in Helsinki, offers a concise overview of this pilot phase of the SET Plan monitoring process, presenting the state of the implementation of the SET Plan based on the inputs from the SET Plan IWGs. (1) With the exception of the Nuclear safety Implementation plan that was endorsed by BE, CH, CZ, ES, FI, FR, HR, HU, IT, LT, NL, PL, RO, SI, SK, TR and UK. (2) https://setis.ec.europa.eu/actions-towards-implementing-integrated-set-plan (3) https://setis.ec.europa.eu/system/files/set-plan_agenda23.pdfJRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

SETIS Magazine: Digitalisation of the Energy sector

The SETIS magazine aims at delivering timely information and analysis on the state of play of energy technologies, related research and innovation efforts in support of the implementation of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan). The current issue is dedicated to Digitalisation of the Energy sector. The editorial for the Digitalisation of the Energy sector issue is provided by Natalia Aristimuño Pérez (DG DIGIT) on Implementation of the Digital Agenda for Europe: interoperability across national borders, ISA2Programme, working at the Directorate-General of Informatics in the European Commission (DG DIGIT). This issue also hosts interviews with: • Nikos D. Hatziargyriou, Chairman of the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Smart Network for the Energy Transition (ETIP SNET). • Peeter Pikk, founding partner of Baltic Energy Partners OÜ. • Oliver Grün, President of European Digital SME Alliance. In this issue, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy and Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology contributes with a join article on Digitalisation of the energy system: why does it matter and how can Horizon2020 contribute.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

SETIS Magazine: Ocean energy

The SETIS magazine aims at delivering timely information and analysis on the state of play of energy technologies, related research and innovation efforts in support of the implementation of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan).The current issue takes a closer look at the development of ocean energy technologies in Europe and worldwide. It examines the current policy drivers at European and International level, and looks at innovation in the sector. Renowned experts from the wider research and policy community assess the state of the art of ocean energy from various angles: technological, financial and environmental. Routes to market are also explored, including the role of ocean energy in powering islands and remote communities in low-resource areas. International examples provide further insight into the long-term benefits of ocean energy, and on alternative policy approaches for driving its development. The foreword is provided by Karmenu Vella, the European Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. This issue also hosts interviews with: •Paolo Tacconi (Project Manager at INEA) and Davide Magagna (Scientific Project Officer at JRC). •Francisco Garcia Lorenzo (Wedge Global Director) and Jean-Christophe Allo (Head of business development for SABELLA). •Jonathan Hodges (Senior Innovation Engineer at Wave Energy Scotland). •Tony Lewis (Chief Technology Officer at Ocean Energy). •Gianmaria Sannino (Climate Modelling and Impacts Laboratory Head at ENEA). •David Hume (Marine Engineering Consultant) and Tim Ramsey (Program Manager) for US Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office. In this issue, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) collaborates with the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) to contribute with an interview that discusses the cost-reduction of ocean energy and lessons from Horizon 2020. Additionally, the DG RTD contributes with an article about "Europe: a hub of innovation for ocean energy"JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

SETIS Magazine: Jobs and skills in the energy transition

The SETIS magazine aims at delivering timely information and analysis on the state of play of energy technologies, related research and innovation efforts in support of the implementation of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan). The current issue is dedicated to Jobs and skills in the energy transition. The foreword is provided by Rabia Ferroukhi on Renewable energy jobs: The EU within the wider global context, working at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). This issue also hosts interviews with: •Ton van Dril and Marc Marsidi, working at ECN part of TNO. •Amandine De Coster-Lacourt, working at the European Commission's Executive Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises. •Paola Mazzucchelli, working at the European Renewable Energy Research Centres Association (EUREC). •Lidia Borrell-Damian, working at European University Association (EUA). •Wolfgang Eichhammer and Matthias Reuter, working at the Competence Centre Energy Policy and Energy Systems of the Fraunhofer Institute. In this issue, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) contributes with an article on The transition towards Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM): what impact can it have on employment in the EU?.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

SETIS Magazine: 10th anniversary edition: Looking back at 10 years of forward thinking, SET-Plan

Energy is key to our society, and the competitiveness of the EU industry and the quality of life of European citizens are today inconceivable without affordable, and reliable energy. A radical transformation is underway in the way energy is produced and used to fulfil societal needs. Low-carbon technologies including clean renewables gradually replace fossil fuels. Wind turbines generate power onshore and offshore. The sunlight is converted into electricity and heat by increasingly efficient photovoltaic cells, and solar thermal energy technologies are capable of providing renewable heating and electricity when needed. Once deployment at commercial scale of ocean energy would be demonstrated it will kick-start market deployment and drive down costs. Furthermore, the high capacity factor and flexibility of geothermal energy make it an attractive option for the EU’s energy mix along with biofuels that now can be produced from waste-to-energy valorification, supporting the circular economy as well. Consumers, empowered by numerous innovations, start to influence our energy system and other measures such as increased energy storage capacity, strengthened interconnections and smart grids will provide cutting edge solutions that significantly increase the flexibility and resilience of the EU energy system and cities’ overall energy and resource efficiency. The transformation of the energy system has substantial impacts on all economic activities, including the European industry. The future of European industry will depend on its ability to compete in a global environment, by continuously adapting and innovating through investments in new technologies and embracing changes brought on by increased digitisation and the transition to low-carbon and circular economy. Mobility and transport affect directly all European citizens. To this regard, the European Commission aims at promoting efficient, sustainable, safe, secure and environmentally friendly mobility, and making traffic safer, encourage fairer road charging, reduce CO2 emissions, air pollution and congestion. The long-term benefits of these measures will extend far beyond the transport sector by promoting jobs, growth and investment, strengthening social fairness, widening consumers’ choices and firmly putting Europe on the path towards low-carbon energy system. Ten years ago, the European Commission proposed an ambitious strategy to “Europeanise” energy policies across the EU; this gave birth to the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan in 2007. In this special edition we have endeavoured to look back at 10 years of forward thinking of SET‑Plan. We are very grateful to the contributors for taking time to give their perspectives and opinions of the 1st decade of the SET‑Plan, and we look forward to the next 10 years.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Decarbonizing the European energy system: The SET-Plan actions in the industry and transport sectors

All European citizens should have access to secure, sustainable and affordable energy. This is the primary objective of the Energy Union, one of the key priorities of the current Commission. This objective can only be achieved through a fundamental transformation of our energy system. In such a system, energy would be used efficiently in all economic sectors, low-carbon conversion technologies would generate electricity along with heating and cooling for homes and industries, and renewable fuels would be used for transport as an alternative to liquid hydrocarbons. This transformation of the energy system will bring additional benefits: the fight against climate change will become more effective and new business opportunities will be created, driven by the need for new services and technologies. The success of this transformation depends largely on the effective development and commercialization of low-carbon, low-cost and high-performance energy technologies and their integration into all facets of the energy system. To meet this challenge, research and innovation (R&I) has become one of the five priorities, or dimensions, of the Energy Union strategy. Placed at the core of the EU’s overall energy and climate policy since its launch, the SET-Plan this year reaches a milestone – its 10th anniversary. During this period, it has contributed to boosting low-carbon energy innovation by triggering an increased alignment between public and private, European and national research agendas. Technological roadmaps and strategic targets helped maintain a focus on priorities, while new structures and processes stimulated cooperation and the pooling of resources. During these ten years, the SET-Plan has been a reference point for Europe’s R&I policies at the national and EU levels. The SET-Plan will also play a key role in the completion of the Energy Union, by supporting efforts to develop national energy and climate plans for the implementation of the Energy Union’s 5th dimension. The SET-Plan will continue to function as a cornerstone of Europe’s energy system transformation to a low-carbon and sustainable, smarter energy system for the benefit of European society.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio