New Recommendation "Research for a Sustainable Energy Supply" of the VGB Scientific Advisory Board
Recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Board of VGB PowerTech e.V.
Secure energy supply is of utmost importance to any modern economy, vital for the economic capacity and for securing appropriate conditions of living and the welfare of society.
Thus, energy is a paramount topic for future development. Energy has to be made available in an environmentally friendly and socially compatible way. Therefore, it is being recommended to spend energy economically in an ecologically sound manner in order to prolong the utilisation of limited resources. Substitutes are to be identified in due time for sources of energy that are petering out.
Research and development are the key for the solution of energy- related problems within the scope of overall concepts that also comprise increases in efficiency, protection of the environment and identification and development of new sources of energy. Research funds are not to be used in favour of or against any form of energy but are to be allocated evenly because it goes without saying that research results are not predictable.
The funds for energy research – public funds and industry budgets – and the related direct and indirect consequences, i.e. the number of junior researchers and students, are far from meeting the employment requirements of energy engineering. A close link between industry and universities in the field of energy engineering and natural sciences to support training and education is indispensable. Besides, social and scientific acceptance is often missing for this demanding and sophisticated technology.
In a period of rapid change in the European energy supply, new political strategies to develop sustainable energy technologies are required. Adequate funding of research provided by the EU and the EU member states is a precondition for industrial implementation, commercial use and export of technologies.
On this behalf, the Scientific Advisory Board of VGB PowerTech expresses its view of the situation , its concerns and suggestions . Thus, the members of the Advisory Board, representatives of a variety of technical disciplines and numerous European universities, intend to elucidate the university perspective and bring it into the discussion between policy and industry.
An intensive discussion on the following problems of future energy supply, and hence the energy research situation, is urgently needed. Facts and discussion points are
- how to ensure energy supply by sustainable use of all available primary energies,
- how to define a conclusive way to reduce CO 2 emissions,
- withdrawal of utilities and manufacturing companies from pre-competitive research activities,
- how to meet losses in public acceptance, resulting in insufficient numbers of students and junior staff,
- a far too low priority of energy research within the European Research Area,
- a decrease of specific national energy research.
From the Advisory Board’s point of view, an immediate R&D consensus between politics and industry is regarded as necessary, taking into account all future possibilities and constraints of energy supply. The paper should also demonstrate contributions to be expected from university research.
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