Renewables targets hinging on research investment, warn reports

Two new reports highlight the urgent need for increased research spending on renewable energy if the EU is to achieve its green energy targets and maintain its industry leadership.

National renewable energy targets may not be met due to the lack of funding for research in this area, warned the UK Institute of Physics in a new study. The report highlights the UK’s lack of technical skills as a major factor hampering the country’s ability to reduce emissions and meet its targets under the EU renewables directive. It also calls for better incentives to encourage students to pursue a career in physics and especially in research into renewable energy technologies.

“The huge promise of renewables will only be realised if there is sufficient investment in research and development in this field and also in attracting more students into essential subjects such as physics,” said the institute’s Robert Kirby-Harris. 

The European renewables industry has also called for increased, consistent and transparent funding under the EU’s upcoming research framework programme FP7 with the aim of maintaining the EU’s leading position. A report, also published on 18 October, by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) highlights the need for a specific budget line for renewable energy research to avoid earmarked funding being channelled towards conventional technologies only.

At a recent energy conference, Commissioner Andris Piebalgs announced that he “shall be arguing for appropriate funding” for renewable energy research in FP7.

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