Making the strategic energy technology (SET) plan a key thematic component of the ERA
02INTRODUCTION
ERA Structural Policy 8 in the ERA Policy Agenda (2025-2027)
This Structural Policy will contribute to overall ERA targets by deepening coordination between clean energy R&I programmes and initiatives at EU, national and institutional level, and by increasing the cooperation between actors across Europe, in view of contributing to the overall climate and environment targets. Furthermore, making the revamped SET plan a Structural Policy of the new ERA Policy Agenda will be a driver for launching and unfolding new key initiatives and better connecting the clean energy R&I goal to the broader R&I perspective. The EU Solar Energy Strategy, for instance, set out among its actions the preparation of a joint strategic solar energy R&I agenda with the Member States. Additional foreseen activities include:
- setting up five cross-cutting task forces to issue tools and drafting recommendations on cross-cutting issues across the SET plan;
- creating a workstream on hydrogen to implement the ‘ERA pilot on Green Hydrogen';
- alignment of R&I priorities between Member States and the EU, while fostering cross-border European research centres, universities and industries joint actions.
Objectives
- Deeper connections between the R&I community and industry to support to deployment of clean energy innovations, without adding administrative burden;
- form joint approaches to cross-cutting issues, including skills development, research and innovation tailored to societal needs, digitalisation, and market uptake and market accessibility;
- review the current technology scope to propose new relevant clean energy technologies, if needed;
- improve the cooperation between the European Technology and Innovation Platforms and the European industrial alliances.
Expected outcomes
- Alignment of all domain/technology-specific Strategic Research & Innovation Agendas and implementation plans to the new EU priorities and development of Implementation Plans;
- policy recommendations to better include the following areas in the energy R&I framework of SET plan: circularity and materials substitution; R&I for societal needs; digitalisation; skills; market uptake;
- improved monitoring of progress, through the SET plan information system.
Background information
The Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan was launched in 2007 as a first step to establish an energy technology policy for Europe. It has played a central role in implementing the Research, Innovation & Competitiveness dimension of the Energy Union, and in guiding national research efforts in the National Energy and Climate Plans. However, since the last SET Plan update in 2015, the EU energy agenda has changed considerably, requiring a review of the objectives, governance, scope, and activities of the SET Plan. The work in the SET Plan itself has extended to go beyond pure technology development, looking also at cross cutting issues like circularity and sustainability, education and skills for new technologies, citizens’ needs and behaviour.
The revision of the SET Plan aims at better supporting the European Green Deal objectives, making the SET Plan compatible with the ‘Fit for 55’ package, the 2050 decarbonisation goal, the REPowerEU initiative, as well as with the new European Research Area Policy Agenda, while ensuring continued support to longer-term research on new clean energy sources. Connecting Member States’ and Commission’s activities in improving the sustainable energy value chain, through research and deployment activities, is essential for making the EU less dependent on energy imports, while contributing to a new clean economy and ensuring affordable clean energy for all.
ERA Action 11 "An ERA for green energy transformation" in the first ERA Policy Agenda (2022-2024) underlined the need for a revision of the SET Plan. A Commission Communication on the revision of the SET Plan was adopted in October 2023.
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