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Press Invitation: Cleaner & cheaper sources of energy: EU Research on photovoltaics and bio-energy

September 28, 2004

What?
Presentation of European research projects into photovoltaic and bio-energy technologies

Who?
High-level representatives from the European Commission (Directorate General for Research) along with research project scientists from more than 10 EU countries

When?
Tuesday, 16 November 2004 (full-day programme)

Where?
University of Uppsala, Sweden

Renewable energy sources are more in the spotlight now than ever before. Rising oil prices, environmental challenges and changing legislative frameworks have brought the need for developing alternatives to fossil fuels. Much progress has been made, however solutions have to be found to convert new research findings into cost-effective alternatives that are suitable for every day use. Organised by the European Commission Directorate-General for Research, and as a follow up of the previous media briefing held in Almeria about solar-thermal, geothermal and waves energy production, this media briefing will provide insights into research breakthroughs in photovoltaic and bio-energy technologies.

There will be four project presentations, two on photovoltaic energy (electricity production) and two on bio-energy technology (transport fuel and electricity). The briefing will include a site visit.

Alternatives to silicone for solar electricity (photovoltaic): Researchers from Sweden, Germany, France and Switzerland have led the way in developing a very efficient low-cost technology, using alternatives to silicone (CIS), to generate new, cheaper solar cell modules. This is the start of the next generation of more cost-effective solar-module processing technology. The project partners from Uppsala University will show how it works in their facilities.

"Roll on" photovoltaic modules: Silicone remains a key material in photovoltaic technology - but how to make it more flexible and cheaper? Researchers from France, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands collaborated to develop new thin film technology which is highly stable and can cover large surfaces, as a huge plastic wrap. The project results finally pave the way towards more flexible and cost effective mass production of silicone-based solar energy devices.

Biomass, not gasoline: If the Brazilians can fill their fuel tanks with a derivate of sugar cane and drive away, why doesn't Europe use its biomass resources, wood and other plants, to do the same? A research team from Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands is trying to provide a solution. They focus on converting biomass into ethanol (using the cellulose of plants and trees, with the right enzymes and micro-organisms) as a replacement for gasoline. http://timeproject.vtt.fi

From biomass to modern bio-electricity: Is "biomass & hydrogen" the perfect combination for future stationary and transport use? A team of leading research institutes and fuel cell manufacturers, from France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and the UK, including a pilot plant demonstration in Italy, will explain how biomass is treated (flash pyrolysis) and then converted into hydrogen to produce electricity in a fuel cell.
http://www.bio-electricity.tnw.utwente.nl

What else is on the agenda?

Scientist from more than 10 EU countries, in charge of the photovoltaic and bio-energy projects will be available during the meeting, and high level representatives from the EC will provide "facts and figures" on EU Research policies in Renewable energy.

Networking lunch: with opportunities for one-to-one interviews with the EC representatives and the researchers of the renewable energy projects.

The project presentations will be complemented by a visit to a bio-energy plant in Enköping (40 kms from Uppsala), illustrating how bio-energy can be used to cover the energy needs of a whole city. The trip to Enköping will be made on a bio-energy bus.



European Commission, Research Directorate