On 19 December 2002 Sustainable Energy Ireland launched the first Calls for Proposals on behalf of the European Commission under the “Sustainable Energy Systems” part of the Sixth Framework Programme for energy research, technical development and demonstration projects. To mark the launch, Sustainable Energy Ireland hosted an information day for interested parties at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin.
Over the four year period to 2006, a total budget of €810 million is available for the part funding of innovative energy technology projects in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency. €280 million is available under the first Calls, which will close on 18 March 2003. The Commission is inviting proposals from partnerships between groups in several countries, which can include academic and other research institutions, industry, energy product and systems suppliers, public bodies, and professional and specialist interests.
The information day provided an opportunity for prospective applicants to hear details of the new Programme, including potential areas of opportunity for Irish interests, guidance on developing proposals and further sources of information.
A positive response is envisaged from the first Calls for Proposals which cover the following topic areas:
- Cost-effective and large scale integration of renewable energy technologies
- Alternative motor fuels
- Fuel cells
- New technologies for energy carriers/transport and storage, including hydrogen
- The capture and sequestration of CO₂ associated with cleaner fossil fuel plants
- Socio-economic tools and concepts for energy strategy
A second set of Calls is expected to be published in the period June to September 2003.
Speaking at the launch Kevin O’Rourke, Head of Strategy & Development with Sustainable Energy Ireland, said: “We are delighted to introduce this new programme into Ireland. It is a challenging and competitive arena for Irish R&D interests, but one in which success can be very rewarding. Good projects will lead to significant advances in innovative energy technologies for Ireland and help to build new capabilities within the Irish energy community. This is an important part of our national commitment to meeting our Kyoto obligations by the end of this decade, and in preparing for even more stringent obligations beyond 2010.”
Under the Kyoto Protocol, Ireland is committed to limiting total emissions of the main greenhouse gases to 13% above 1990 levels in the period 2008–2012. Current forecasts indicate that Ireland will have to achieve a reduction of up to 13.1 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent of greenhouse gases. The 13% limit allocated to Ireland has already been reached.
According to Barry Robertson, Directorate-General for Research, European Commission: “We are particularly keen to support large scale multi-partner pan-European projects incorporating innovative technologies and systems. This might mean partners from five or more countries seeking funding in excess of €10 million to address a topic of wide European interest and potential.”
“Through Sustainable Energy Ireland we hope to encourage Irish interests to come forward with ideas which are in the eligible topic areas and of sufficiently innovative quality to be suitable for joining with complementary participants from other EU or associated states to form consortia with strong proposals,” he added.
Presentations
- Barry Robertson, EU Commissioner
- Bob Hanna, SEI
- Therèse Murphy, SEI (National Contact Point)
- Tony Lewis, UCC
Reference Material
- Information Bulletin
- Overview of the Call
- Work Programme
- Annex B: Evaluation Manual
- Extract from Call — Short to Medium Term
- Extract from Call — Medium to Long Term
Further details and assistance on Sustainable Energy Systems and the Sixth Framework Programme for RTD are available from Sustainable Energy Ireland’s web site at www.sei.ie or at www.cordis.lu/fp6.
Contact Points
Therèse MurphySustainable Energy Ireland
Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Tel: 353 1 808 2068
Fax: 353 1 837 2848
Email: therese.murphy@sei.ie Kevin O’Rourke
Sustainable Energy Ireland
Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Tel: 353 1 808 2074
Fax: 353 1 808 2330
Email: kevin.orourke@sei.ie