Levelised cost of energy (LCOE) have dropped considerably over the last couple of years for renewable energy. This specifically holds for wind and solar PV, due to the development of new and more efficient concepts (research) as well as economy of scale effects due to the rapid increase of deployment.  For all renewable options, including solar PV and wind which have already a substantial market penetration, further massive cost reductions can be achieved through development of new concepts – i.e. tandem solar cells, PV printing technologies, 15 MW turbines. With increasing deployment, cost reduction can be achieved through industry driven incremental innovation. However, specifically the development of new concepts requires long term research and state-of-the-art Research Infrastructure. Costs of development of these new concepts are high, knowledge is scattered and markets are often global. Therefore, substantial synergies can be obtained in sharing advanced Research Infrastructures.

Several EU initiatives are currently coordinating research activities in Europe like the Solar European Industrial Initiative (SEII), the EERA Joint Programme on Photovoltaics, the EERA Joint Programme on Bioenergy (EERA JPBioenergy), the European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative (EIBI)http://www.etipbioenergy.eu/?option=com_content&view=article&id=191 and BRIDGE-PPP, the EERA Joint program in deep Geothermal energy, the EERA Ocean Energy Joint program and European Ocean Energy Association (EU-OEA), the European Technology and Innovation Platform on Wind Energy (ETIPWind)https://etipwind.eu/ and the EERA Joint Programme on Wind Energyhttps://www.eera-set.eu/eera-joint-programmes-jps/wind-energy/. In respect to Concentrated Solar Power (CSP), the EERA Joint Programme on CSP and the European Solar Thermal Electricity Association (ESTELA)http://www.estelasolar.org/ include the main stakeholders of this sector. Finally, the mix of different hybrid renewable systems helps in defining  economically appealing and environmentally sustainable strategies, including supporting grid stability and deliver balancing power.

current status

PHOTOVOLTAICS The Joint Research Programmes such as the EERA Joint Programme on Photovoltaic (EERA JP-PV) (37 partners from 19 EU Countries) or SOPHIA (17 partners) and its follow- up CHEETAH (34 partners) contribute to improving EU research and to optimize the use of RIs. According to the SOPHIA project and CHEETAH, the most relevant EU RIs are from Germany (3), Spain and Italy (2), and France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Great Britain, Finland, Norway and Austria with one each. 

The last strategic research agenda of the EU PV Technology Platform considers that the main challenges are related to the overall costs of the best technologies. A recent studyhttp://www.etip-pv.eu/publications/etip-pv-reports.html shows data expected in 2020 and 2030, respectively, are: typical turnkey price for a 50 kW system [€/W, excl. VAT] (0.9 and 0.6); typical electricity generation costs in Southern Europe [€/kWh] (0.04 and 0.03 including 4% WACC), typical system energy payback in Southern Europe [years] (0.5-1.0 year in 2050 for smaller systems and depending on PV technology and energy mixhttp://www.iea-pvps.org/index.php?id=314 . For utility scale plants typical generation costs (LCoE) below 0.02 €/kWh are expected in Southern Europe in 2030 (including 4% WACC) and approaching 0.01 €/kWh in 2050. To reach these low LCOE values, or even lower, reliability of PV systems will be key (lifetimes beyond 30 years). 

There is a state-of-the-art European basic research on materials and design of large plants, addressing quality and sustainability aspects. RIs strategy tends to be aligned with industrial needs. Financial efforts are focused on testing, pre-industrial  facilities. Following the new IP Pillars, three main drivers for the development of new/existing infrastructures are: pilot/demo scale lines, manufacturing technologies/fabrication processes and modelling  facilities for simulation and better forecasting the energy output of PV systems applied in different environments (from built environment to large power plants). Furthermore, social aspects for general public support to broadly install PV are becoming more important. Europe’s competitive edge rests on the excellent knowledge base of its researchers and engineers along with the existing operating infrastructures. Given the increasingly competitive environment, without steady and reliable R&D funding,  this advantage is at risk.

RENEWABLE FUELS The EU scientific effort is well articulated between associations aimed both at developing R&D and promoting flagship plants. In addition to the EERA Joint Programme on Bioenergy (36 partners from 19 EU countries) and the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU)https://bbi-europe.eu/, two other initiatives in the landscape are the European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP Bioenergy)http://www.etipbioenergy.eu/ created by merging the European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative (EIBI)http://www.etipbioenergy.eu/?option=com_content&view=article&id=191 and the European Biofuels Technology Platform (EBTP) - and the Joint Task Force on Bioenergy and Biofuels production with Carbon Capture and  Storage (Bio-CCS JTF), involving members of ZEP (Zero Emissions Platform) and the EBTP. Research Infrastructures were grouped within H2020 Infrastructures – e.g. the Biofuels Research Infrastructure for Sharing Knowledge II (BRISK2)http://briskeu.com/, according to SET-Plan objectives and whose activity is to fund researchers from any EU Country to carry out research at any of the 28 EU partners’ facilities. The RI was also a part of several Networks of excellence, related to various aspects of bioenergy production and utilization, like SUSTDEV NOE-BIOENERGY, DER-LAB and ECO-ENGINES. Demo precommercial facilities exist, such as the UPM Stracel BTL (FR), Forest BtL Oy (FI), Beta Renewable (IT) or Abengoa 2G Ethanol Demo Plant (ES), among others. The main strategic research challenges are into feedstock and conversion processes of biomass into biofuel. Existing initiatives already connect high-level stakeholders and experts from relevant industries and research centres. The main challenges cover the efficiency, economic competitiveness and system integration of biomass conversion into biofuels and energy.

The Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) set up the Strategic Working Group Sustainable Bio-Resources for a Growing Bioeconomy (SWG SBGB) gathering the representatives of 15 countries and the Collaborative Working Group of 12 countries on Integrated Biorefineries (CWG IB). SWGS BGB discusses the issues related to more efficient production of biological resources, logistical questions, the biomass potential available across Europe, and fostering new connections between well-established sectors. The main technical barriers to the successful  implementation of the bioeconomy identified by SWG SBGB include utilization of different bio-based feedstocks within a single biorefinery, and standardization of biobased products. The CWG IB focuses on aspects related to the investment in research, innovation and skills.

EU-US cooperation on advanced biofuels is based on joint initiatives, such as the EC-US Task Force on Biotechnology Research: Bio-Based Products and Bioenergy Working Group. There is also research cooperation between EU and Central/South America through initiatives such as BECOOL in the framework of a joint EU-Brazil call on Advanced Biofuels. 

CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER The European R&D community related to Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is well established. The main EU RIs are managed by: DLR in Germany (facilities located in Cologne, Jülich and Stuttgart), ENEA in Italy (with facilities in Casaccia and Portici), CNRS in France (Odeillo) and CIEMAT in Spain (through Plataforma Solar de Almería-PSA). The Cyprus Institute (CyI), the IMDEA-Energy in Spain and the University of Évora in Portugal have recently expanded the landscape of large-scale facilities, contributing with the Pentakomo (CyI), Móstoles (IMDEA) and Mitra test sites. Most of these RIs are collaborating, offering international access to their facilities through the FP7 European project SFERA-II  (2013-2017). These RIs are also members of the EERA Joint Programme on Concentrating Solar Power (EERA JP-CSP), participating in its FP7 IRPSTAGE-STE  (2014-2018) and partly in the ESFRI Project EU-SOLARIS.

Two complementary strategic research agendas are in place. ESTELA’s (European Solar Thermal Electricity Association) Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) was published in 2013. This SRA aims to directly meet the industrial 2020 targets through: a) increase efficiency/cost reduction – mirrors, heat transfer fluid and others as selective coatings and prediction/ operation tools; b) dispatch ability – integration systems, storage systems and forecasting models to regulate and manage electricity production; c) environmental profile – reduce current impact of heat transfer fluid, water desalination and reduce water consumption without jeopardizing the plant efficiency. Another more recent research agenda is the Initiative for Global Leadership in Concentrated Solar Power, which has been submitted to the SET-Plan Steering Group for final endorsement beginning of 2017. It has been developed within the EERA JP-CSP (29 participants) and STAGE-STE project. The ESFRI Project EU-SOLARIS is expected to be the first of its kind, where industrial needs and private funding will play a significant role.

From the commercial deployment point of view, it is worth mentioning that CSP plants with a cumulative capacity of about 2.3 GW were in commercial operation in Spain in December 2016, representing about half (48%) of the worldwide capacity. Outside  Europe, about 1.74 GW of CSP are currently in operation in the US, while China is championing new developments with 1.34 GW under construction or development. Globally, more than 100 projects are in planning phase, mainly in India, Morocco, South Africa, Middle East countries and Chile. However,  the need for additional RIs in Europe has been identified according to the needs of the commercial CSP plants, where the cost competitiveness is a key barrier along with the operational flexibility and energy dispatchability. In this area, the US SunShot Initiative programme aims to reduce the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) generated from CSP systems to 6 cents/kWh, without any subsidies, by 2020.

WIND Many initiatives coordinate the research activities in Europe: the European Wind Industrial Initiative (EWII) and EERA joint program on Wind energy (49 partners from 14 EU countries), European Technology and Innovation Platform on Wind Energy (ETIPWind), driven by the European wind energy industry and coordinated by the European Wind Energy Association, and the European Academy of Wind Energy (43 entities from  14 EU countries). In this sector, the RIs in the EU are: a) Wind Turbines Test Fields with RIs in Germany (3), Spain (2), Greece, Denmark (2), Netherlands and Norway (1); b) Components Test Facilities with RIs in Denmark and Germany (3), Spain, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Finland with 1; c) Wind Tunnels with RIs in Greece and Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Germany (1); d) Wind Energy Integration Testing Facilities distributed in Spain (4), Norway, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark (1). A specific reference goes to the ESFRI Project WindScanner,  in the ESFRI Roadmap since 2010, which finalised its first Preparatory Phase at the end of 2015. The ESFRI Project WindScanner uses remote sensing-based wind measurement systems to provide detailed wind field maps of the wind and turbulence conditions around either a single wind turbine or across a farm covering several square kilometres. There are 4 RIs related to material testing and hydraulic located in Greece, Germany, Denmark and Norway.

The challenges are the following: a) resource assessment and spatial planning, including the publication of an EU Wind Atlas in the next five years and the better understanding of wind characteristics that are relevant for the safe operation of larger and larger wind turbines; b) wind power systems that include the development of new wind turbines and components up to 15-20 MW in the year  2020; c) wind energy integration into the grid, including the long distance connection of large wind farms to the grid; d) offshore deployment and operations that include the development and testing of new structures for deep water. Industry needs test facilities to innovate the design.

The ETIP Wind’s Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) has three objectives: i) cost reduction, ii) System integration, iii) First class human resources. WindEurope expect the EU Wind Energy sector to grow to 205 GW, including 24 GW of offshore wind by 2020, to cover 16.5% of EU’s electricity demand. By 2030, wind should be able to cover 30% of the EU’s electricity demand. The EU wind fleet would consist of 323 GW of wind, including 70 GW of offshore wind. Offshore wind would need to ramp up to a pace of more than 4 GW per year. At the end of 2016, the EU had a fleet of 153 GW of wind  power, China had 169 GW, and the US 82 GW. There  were 487 GW installed worldwide. Regarding the existing test facilities abroad, US shows a very competitive scientific community with high level test facilities – e.g. NREL-NWTC blade test facilities, drive train  test facilities and field test and Clemson’s University, 15 MW drive train testing facility, and the WTTC with a 90m blade test facility. 

GEOTHERMAL Geothermal energy in the Earth’s upper few kilometres is vast and the potential in this renewable energy source is of significant importance for the energy shift from fossil to environmental friendly energy. Geothermal energy appears to have the potential to  become a very important, potentially even dominant, supply of heat energy and dispatchable electricity production in the near future. The potential for utilization needs to be measured, production technology, and enhanced or new innovative solutions developed to access this energy.

All major research institutions are involved in the EERA Joint Programme on Geothermal Energy – 37 participants from 12 EU countries, including Iceland, Turkey and Switzerland. Other major research centres – which cover wide areas of geothermal  research – and technology platforms are located in Iceland, France, Italy, Germany or Spain. There are 5 sites in construction or planned and 2 existing sites focused on research and demonstration: Soultz-sous- Forêts (FR) and Groß Schönebeck (DE). Other large existing industry-owned sites are in Iceland.

Geothermal energy for heat and cold extraction and storage is an increasingly important component in the energy balance of buildings and for neighbourhood heating/ cooling systems. For traditional, high, intermediate and low-temperature areas,  improvements in production methods, drilling and well completion, mapping and managing the underground reservoirs, are essential. Recent results from deep drilling to access superheated or even  supercritical  fluids are encouraging, indicating the possibility of dramatic improvements in production as well as addressing unexplored geothermal potential. Possible major production from offshore areas is becoming more relevant, as offshore technology improves and the production cost decreases. A number of major projects investigating enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) are ongoing, including in Europe. In EGS, the permeability of the deep subsurface is increased using hydro-fracturing and other methods. If cost-effective technology for  achieving this can be developed, major large-scale geothermal energy production in many non-traditional areas will rapidly follow. Key issues here include costs and limiting induced seismicity caused by the operations.

The main strategic research agendas are from the Technology Platform (TP) on Renewable Heating and Cooling and the EERA Joint Programme on Geothermal Energy. The challenges in 5 years (Exploration technologies to image the subsurface to reduce the mining risk prior to drilling) are: to define the reservoir characteristics and geothermal potential in different environments, to develop experimental test of materials and treatment to prevent or mitigate corrosion and scaling. The longer term challenges are: cost-effective drilling technologies for very deep geothermal  wells at extreme conditions of temperature and pressure including supercritical fluid systems; prediction of geo-mechanical behaviour of fracture zones, with particular focus on reservoir performance evaluation and induced seismicity; improvement of methods to enhance reservoir performance and to study the processes of long-term geothermal exploitation; enhancing the viability of current and potential geothermal resources by improving thermodynamic cycles and optimizing power conversion; securing natural resources and ensuring sustainable utilization of underground space. Currently, the EU RIs for hotter systems areassociated with volcanic areas – e.g. Iceland, Italy, Spain, Portugal or Greece. Testing of drilling methods (e.g. PENA, EL) or of processat the subsurface (e.g. GeoLaB, DE), are in construction or planned.

OCEAN The most relevant EU initiatives are: EERA Joint Programme on Ocean Energy (10 institutions from 8 EU countries); EU-OEA (80 members); OCEANERA-NET with EU research organizations from 9 countries; MARINET2 network with 57 testing facilities at 38 research organisations from 13 countries and the intergovernmental collaboration OES with 21 countries. The list of EU RIs grouped by countries is: United Kingdom (5), Spain (5), Portugal (3), Norway (2), Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Germany and France (1). In Sweden there are no sea test  facilities, only 2 research sites. The European Ocean Energy Roadmap 2010-2050 published by EU-OEA identifies: i) installation of ocean energy generating facilities with a combined minimum capacity of more than 240 MWh; ii) developing or refining test sites for ocean energy conversion devices in real operating environments; iii) Grid availability;  iv) resource assessment to support ocean energy deployment.

The industrial goals are to install 3.6 GW of ocean energy systems by 2020 and to reach 188 GW by 2050 (EU-OEA Roadmap 2010-2050). However, many systems have not been tested yet under real operation conditions and need to undergo final long-term reliability  testing before being commercially deployed in harsh environments. There is widespread international interest in Wave & Tidal (W&T) energy and it is  particularly high in Australia, Asia, US & South America. Currently there are a small number of W&T energy systems installed on the global level. Europe has global leadership in W&T energy technologies and industrial know-how. European projects such as SI Ocean may provide a basis for more intensive cooperation in the future.

GAPS, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE NEEDS

In PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR ENERGY, it is important to establish a long-term European cooperation in the PV R&D sector, by sharing knowledge, organizing workshops, exchange and training researchers inside  and outside Europe. An efficient use of infrastructures is also needed to accelerate the implementation of innovative technologies in the PV industry. Furthermore, it will be needed to install relevant pilot production lines to demonstrate these novel technologies and to bring back commercial manufacturing in Europe.

Lack of standardization is the biggest obstacle to rapid cost reduction and definitive deployment of the CONCENTRATED SOLAR POWER sector. Activities are currently underway in Europe under control of AENOR (the Spanish official standardization body), the International Electro-technical Committee (IEC) and SolarPACES (IEA Implementing Agreement). Activities in this respect are on their way within STAGE-STE and SFERA-II projects, too.

Concerning WIND ENERGY, better coordination of EU RIs should create the conditions for the long-term development. There is need of new multi-actor facilities – especially in the field of exploring and understanding new physics for larger turbines. In Wind Conditions an important infrastructure can be the the ESFRI Project WindScanner. Low-speed, high-Reynold number aerodynamics requires large and dedicated wind tunnels. The development of large  turbines become such large investments that the industry requires trans-European RIs for short-term technology validation purposes.

The development of new GEOTHERMAL technologies can be expensive and projects may be high-risk in the sense that commercial success is not guaranteed. Therefore society cannot rely only on commercial initiatives, and public R&D support is often necessary. A coordinated trans-European initiative to co-exploit existing and new geothermal test sites would appear to be strongly motivated. Such an initiative would naturally link to and significantly enhance existing ESFRI initiatives such as the ESFRI Landmark EPOS (European Plate Observing System, ENV).

In OCEAN ENERGY, the establishment of an integrated network of testing facilities is very important, including full scale sites for testing of single units under real operation conditions, as well as up-scaling to the array level (MARINET2, Foresea). There is a need for technical de-risking through the development and implementation of best practices, quality metrics and standards (MaRINET2, MARINERG-i). Increased joint development activity across the test infrastructure community is required to address the technical barriers and deliver viable devices to the market (MARINERG-i).

RI is needed for advancements in production of BIOFUELS, biomass upgrading as part of optimized logistics concepts, hydrogen production based on gasification with reforming, efficient cultivation systems for third generation biofuels sources and system integration schemes between different sources and with the grid.