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Media briefing: Research on New Energies - Europe at the Forefront in Solar, Wave and Geothermal Energies

February 04, 2004

The European Union has the objective to double the share of renewable electricity to 12% by 2010. This one-day briefing will demonstrate Europe's leadership in developing and implementing ground-breaking research and technology transfers in solar, wave, and geothermal sustainable energies.

On 16th March next, at the Plataforma Solar de Almer'­a, Spain,the European Commission is organising a media briefing to present to media concrete examples of research initiatives on renewable & environmentally friendly technologies in the energy sector. European Research Commissioner, Philippe Busquin, and renewable energy experts from across Europe, will explain how various international teams are putting into practice Europe's drive to increase supply diversity as well as reducing the dependency of the EU on oil imports and cutting overall CO2 emissions.

What's on offer?

Looking at sustainable energy from different angles: Three specific EC research projects will be outlined during this briefing:

"¢       Solar Thermal Energy (Sol Air): whereas photovoltaic energy is well known to the public in buildings and small units, the Sol Air Project uses the energy of the sun in an entirely different manner. Mirrors redirect the sun's energy towards a ceramic receptor that heats air that is, in turn, used to heat water. The vapour of the water then activates turbines which produce electricity. The potential of this new technology is immense and journalists will be shown, for the first time, what is, in effect, an active 'solar power station'. The project team includes partners from Spain, Germany, Greece and Denmark. Project leader: M. Manuel Romero Alvarez.
Solar Platform: http://www.psa.es/webeng/index.html
Coordinator site: http://www.solucar.es/english/index.htm

"¢       Wave Energy (Wave Dragon): is the world's first offshore wave energy converter producing power for the grid in Denmark. The project team includes partners from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Sweden, & the UK. Moored in water, the 237 tonnes Wave Dragon recuperates the energy that is generated by 'overtopping' waves. The water is initially stored in a reservoir and then passed through turbines which produce electricity. This prototype corresponds to a 1:4 scale size of the full system. In comparison with traditional hydroelectric power stations, this new technology is extremely competitive and plans to build and deploy power production units elsewhere in the EU are already underway. Project leader: M. Hans Soerensen, http://www.wavedragon.net

"¢       Geothermal Energy (European Hot Dry Rock): until now, exploring thermal phenomena and the potential of energy stored underground has been limited, yet current drilling techniques can go down to a depth of 5000 metres. The project (with partners from France, Germany and Italy), utilizes widened natural fracture systems and injects water at high pressure that then heats and is returned to the earth's surface via several production wells. A heat exchanger transfers energy to a second circuit supplying a turbine generator to produce electricity. The European test site is located in Soultz-sous-For'™t (FR). Project leader: Jörg Baumg'¤rtner, http://www.soultz.net

A short video presentation on these three research team's insights will provide participating media with a unique opportunity to gauge the breadth and depth of these outstanding EU research initiatives, the issues at stake, the tangible results being obtained, and likely ways ahead.

Networking lunch: targeted one-to-one interviewing opportunities with Commissioner Busquin, scientists specialised in renewable energy issues and other EC officials.

On-site visit: to Plataforma Solar de Almer'­a - the largest solar plant and world leader in pioneering solar thermal energy systems where the well-rounded media programme will take place.

European Commission, Research Directorate