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The European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme
Human societies are dependent on and maintained by a continuous flow of energy, arguably the most fundamental and basic resource. As such, energy is an issue that affects all human activities and cuts across all policies.
As described in the Commission's Green Paper on a European strategy for sustainable, competitive and secure energy, Europe has entered into a new energy era. The energy landscape of the 21st century is one in which the world’s economic regions are dependent on each other for ensuring energy security and stable economic conditions, and for ensuring effective action against climate change.
Europe's energy economy, and that of the world, is currently on a path that is not sustainable and urgent action is needed. Set against the backdrop of a growing global demand for energy to power economic development and growth, we are faced with a huge challenge. Sustainable, affordable and secure energy has to become one of the basic pillars of daily life.
Recognising that none of the technologies being developed can make a sufficient difference on their own and that their commercialisation will take place over differing time horizons, a broad technology portfolio approach has been adopted, thus greatly reducing the risk and potentially the costs, if one or more technologies fail to make the expected progress.
The research, development and demonstration to be carried out under the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme are expected to improve energy efficiency throughout the energy system;
accelerate the penetration of renewable energy sources; decarbonise power generation and, in the longer term, substantially decarbonise transport; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; diversify Europe's energy mix; enhance the competitiveness of European industry through a better
involvement of SMEs.
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