Smart grids – a priority in EU research policies
January 17, 2012
The development of smart networks will be of great significance to the European Commission’s proposed research budgets, worth billions of Euros. It will form part of Horizon 2020, the new Euro €80 billion European Union (EU) research program that will run from 2014 to 2020.
Innovative utilities can use this money to augment their research and development activities.
The Commission has earmarked €6.1 billion over the seven years for studies and technology development, with the goal of promoting clean and efficient energy production and distribution. The annual spend will rise from the €91 million initial commitment in 2014 to €1.6 billion in 2021 after the program has officially ended.
Priorities have been set for spending within the program – development of a smart EU electricity grid, low-cost low-carbon electricity supplies, and the commercialisation of new energy technologies and services. Other focal spending areas that will be relevant to utilities will be the reduction of climate change and the efficient use of raw materials, for which €3.36 billion has been set aside in the proposals, and future and emerging technologies – €3.3 billion has been allocated for this.
The proposals will need approval by the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers; debate will take place in 2012 but may continue into 2013.
