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Workshop on:

BASIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE SCIENCE FOR ENERGY - BRISE

Brussels – 24.05.2007

Organization:

Fraunhofer ISI Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research, Karlsruhe, Germany

with support of:

IPTS Institute for Prospective Technological Studies European Commission – DG-JRC, Seville, Spain

Georgia Tech Technology Policy and Assessment Centre (TPAC) Atlanta, USA

BSR Sustainability GmbH Karlsruhe, Germany

Framework Service Contract 150083-2005-02-BE -Technical Specifications Annex A (Ref SC14 BRISE) Implementation Plan: Basic Research and Innovative Science for Energy (BRISE) -16/06/2006

Workshop on BASIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE SCIENCE FOR ENERGY Brussels 24.05.2007

The European Commission DG RTD explained the main purpose of the workshop. The strategy for the future European energy technology policy is being discussed and will be released in the coming months. In this framework, European research efforts should be accelerated in the most pressing areas (e.g. energy efficiency, CCS, Clean Coal, Renewables, nuclear, etc). The interaction with developments in basic sciences and especially their potential impact on emerging energy technologies is crucial and possible actions should be planned in more detail. The workshop should lead us to discuss and find bold conclusions on the way such interactions take place and recommendations for future improvements. Participants should not limit themselves to existing structures but think out of the box. I. PRESENTATIONS Prof. Turkenburg from Copernicus Institute presented “The challenges and necessary breakthroughs for energy research”. The main points included the need for an energy R&D plan / or strategic energy technology plan with a broad portfolio of technologies as well as the importance of energy systems analysis, energy transition management, and energy policy development. The Plan should contribute to:

• Strong improvement in energy efficiency (by a factor 4). • Strong increase in the development and use of renewable energy sources (15-20% in 2020, 40-50%

in 2050). • Decarbonisation of fossil fuel use (enhanced development and application of CCS technology). • Development of new nuclear energy technologies which are compatible with sustainable

development. The proposed research areas from the presentation are summarized in the following graph:

Prof. Brown from the Georgia Institute of Technology followed with the “Basic Research Needs to Enable a Sustainable Energy Future” summarizing a study for the USA which identified and prioritized areas where basic research is needed to support the advancement of energy technologies. The U.S. Climate Change Technology Program (CCTP) commissioned the study in late 2005 as part of its planning and coordination functions and engaged a group of 75 broadly experienced professionals with expertise in fields relevant to the CCTP goals. Participants in the portfolio review itemized more than 90 preliminary R&D gaps and opportunities. The top ideas were identified by examining the potential impact on climate change versus the probability of success for each idea. ‘Impact’ was defined as progress toward the particular strategic goal; ‘probability of success’ reflects the level of certainty that the technology would be successfully developed and achieve the desired impact. The figure represents a selection of the top ideas based on relative impact and risk. The importance of prioritising research topics was clearly emphasised as was the development of suitable tools for the prioritisation process. An important conclusion of the portfolio review was that it is critical to integrate basic scientific research in applied technology development in order to achieve energy goals.


Around twenty cross-cutting strategic research areas and the fundamental sciences were deemed necessary to support technological innovations in these areas. Scientific advances can often be applied across a diversity of technologies. For example, plant and microbial genomics are central to advancing biofuels and bio-based chemicals, reducing methane emissions from landfills and livestock, and expanding the terrestrial sequestration of carbon. Similarly, materials that perform well in high temperature environments are essential to

improve the efficiency of industrial processes and are needed to enable the next generation of fossil and nuclear power plants.

Impa

ct

Probability of Success

Advanced Sensors and Controls

for Smart Buildings

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Basic Research in Ocean Chemistry and Bio-Cycles

Precision Agriculture and Biosensors

Space-Based Technologies to Monitor

GHGs and Aerosols Land-Use Management (eg, Sustainable

Forestry vs. Deforestation)

Large-Scale Energy Storage

Sorting Technologies to Convert Waste to Useful Products

Optimized Biomass Production and Fuel Conversion

Integrated M&M System Architecture

HIGH

HIGHMODERATE

Impa

ct

Probability of Success

Advanced Sensors and Controls

for Smart Buildings

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Basic Research in Ocean Chemistry and Bio-Cycles

Precision Agriculture and Biosensors

Space-Based Technologies to Monitor

GHGs and Aerosols Land-Use Management (eg, Sustainable

Forestry vs. Deforestation)

Large-Scale Energy Storage

Sorting Technologies to Convert Waste to Useful Products

Optimized Biomass Production and Fuel Conversion

Integrated M&M System Architecture

HIGH

HIGHMODERATE

Participants recommended greater emphasis on exploratory research addressing novel and advanced concepts which are based on the achievements of basic sciences to uncover “breakthrough technology.” Such research could lead to revolutionary advances in technology and thereby dramatically change the way energy is produced, transformed, and used in the global economy. To support exploratory concepts as well as mainstream technologies, more research in the basic sciences and the enabling disciplines of materials, biology, physical sciences, computational sciences, nanotechnology and others is required. Only limited funding was recommended for very exotic research such as "power beaming and wireless power transmission". A review of the past and current basic research in Europe was provided by Dr. Sartorius from Fraunhofer ISI on behalf of Dr. Schmoch based on a bibliometrics analysis of basic energy research areas in various EU countries and the USA. The EU appears to be highly specialised in nuclear energy and physics, and average in biotechnology. The specialisation of the EU in engineering fields was deemed underestimated due to a strong US bias in the journal coverage while the analysis showed the US to be highly specialised in biotechnology. The specialisation of specific countries may however deviate strongly from the EU average, e.g. the average specialisation of UK in mechanical engineering. It is therefore important to identify and exploit the specific strengths in specific countries/regions. The second part of the workshop paid particular attention to examples of cross-cutting basic research and applied energy research and then to technologies. Applications of solid state ionics for energy are numerous and include high energy density Li batteries, PEM fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells, super capacitors, separation membranes (e.g. oxygen for CCS systems), sensors and water electrolysers. In his presentation, Prof Kilner noted that European institutions have a strong tradition and are world leaders in most topic areas of solid state ionics. This existing excellence should be acknowledged and further developed. On the subject of "Research Needs for Fuel Cells and Batteries", Dr. Mohrdiek remarked that the EU has some of the best ingredients at its disposal but that these are not bundled or directed towards specific targets. The EU may lack the critical mass that the US has in many fields. Institutes/networks should be created where scientists from basic and applied energy research are brought together. Furthermore, industrial participation is needed. Multidisciplinary teams are a vital ingredient for basic science and applied energy research. In his presentation on "Materials for Extreme Environments and various applications for energy", Dr Bolt stressed that it was necessary to:

• create awareness for real road blocks (understand what are the problems), • bring brains together (critical mass; cross- sectoral approach), • allow basic research to be integrated with more application-oriented research and development. A

common location is one way to do this, • stimulate research with a good degree of flexibility.

A presentation by Prof. Lopez from Spain on photovoltaics described existing networks in Europe that are working to solve PV problems and the impact of materials basic research.


II. DISCUSSION 1. General Issues The workshop participants generally agreed that more focus should be given to basic research activities for energy. More activities need to be promoted in this area, but these need to be clearly coordinated among European Institutions. A European R&D approach is needed and action should be taken to implement this by establishing strong (virtual) institutions in prioritized areas building on the most excellent research teams in Europe. It was stated that the business-as-usual approach is not producing solutions fast enough. Therefore the following questions were intensively discussed during the workshop:

• How can the interaction be better organized? • What new ways might be more efficient? • How can we organize basic science to meet energy goals?

There are many alternative science management systems. It may be that multiple models are required depending on the energy technology involved. The EC SET plan may note case-specific variations: “different horses for different courses”. Participants emphasised that systemic aspects which are important to energy technology developments should be integrated into science programmes from the start by adding system analysis aspects to purely technology-related research projects as well. Some participants requested: "We have to create "Man on the Moon" R&D programmes for Energy and Science." However it was also emphasised that the challenges in the energy sector are not purely R&D challenges but also economic challenges. This distinguishes the energy challenge from the "man on the moon" and Manhattan projects in the US, which were directed at a single R&D goal. Competition should be created based on clear and predefined objectives. Since the results are not easily comparable between disciplines, one needs to develop objectives which are applicable across different disciplines. 2. Which structures or initiatives are needed for a better integration of basic science and energy technology?

It was stated that huge language, philosophical and cultural differences exist between the basic and applied sciences and applications engineering, yet all of these are critical to energy technology development and therefore:

• There is a strong merit from creating either European centres of excellence or networks of institutes because these can access talent beyond national boundaries and create a critical mass of expertise.

• With respect to the creation of a central institute or a network model, some participants emphasized the flexibility of networks over creating new institutions. The European Academy for Wind Energy was mentioned as an example of an informal network linking existing organizations with a minimal amount of organizational overhead and bureaucracy. Examples from fuel cell research, however, suggested that it may be fruitful to integrate basic science and energy research but that this may sometimes require specific efforts as well as the permanent and continued cooperation of researchers in centralised institutes.

• The question of centralised vs. virtual institutions may depend on the equipment needed, e.g. a more centralized laboratory approach for research on nuclear reprocessing vs. a more networked arrangement with multiple participating organizations for genomics research.

• It is difficult to predict which basic sciences are needed for the various energy technologies. It was discussed whether a technology-down or a science-up planning and strategic approach should be pursued. It was concluded that the optimal procedure in this respect will depend on the technologies concerned. In fields which are already close to technical application and demonstration (e.g. CCS), a technology-down approach is recommended, whereas a science-up approach may be more fruitful in areas where technological applications are only anticipated in the long run (e.g. quantum dot solar cells).


3. The role of industry The connection to industry was controversial. Participants mentioned that basic research is a medium and longer term process while industry has more short-term interests and breakthroughs take time to develop and be applied. In addition, there was a discussion of the problem of multiple industry views. Several companies may be looking for the same solution, but each company wants their own in order to differentiate themselves from rivals. Technology platforms separating pre-competitive and competitive research might help with industry dynamics. 4. Can education and workforce development needs also be met? The lack of skilled workers was one of the barriers mentioned to the better integration of basic science and energy technology. John Kilner emphasised in particular "The most important facet of this whole problem (to exploit basic science for energy technology) is the supply of high quality motivated young research scientists. The provision of a high quality research infrastructure and a rewarding career structure should perhaps be key elements in this strategy." Universities and education establishments should be involved in this process. 5. Is a targeted portfolio review needed to identify priority areas of basic science and energy technology? A “targeted portfolio analysis” (screening of basic research needs) is needed for various research activities and planning funding priorities for the future. It is important to assess the potential of technologies / implementation capabilities using a long-term perspective. There is a need to identify the areas where basic research can have an impact and its relevance for future energy technologies. As mentioned above, we need to differentiate between research which is "close to the market" and "long-term" research in order to take the appropriate course of action. It can be difficult to inspire basic scientists to direct their attention to particular energy issues. Therefore, stable technology roadmaps are needed for basic researchers. These roadmaps should address the energy-related basic research questions. Such an approach has been pursued for example in the US portfolio review. The main result of this review is presented on slide #14 in Prof. Brown's presentation. 6. Which procedure should be chosen to select the institutes / networks to be funded? It was discussed whether clusters should be organized following a bottom-up or a top-down approach. A competitive approach should be implemented for the final selection of clusters / networks / institutes to be funded as well as for choosing between different research topics. Some emphasized that it is not recommended to spread resources evenly; instead, it may be best to invest in the strongest centres.


7. Which R&D clusters and projects have been particularly mentioned at the workshop? Throughout the course of the day, the following R&D clusters received repeated attention as potential candidates:

Materials for solar photovoltaic applications Materials for extreme conditions Electrochemistry and energy storage

Biotechnology and carbon capture and sequestration

• It was suggested that a solid state ionics institute is needed in the EU because insufficient attention is being given to electrolysis (this is an example of a science-up institute.)

• With respect to the research areas to be covered, mathematics and information technologies may need additional attention. Multi-scale modelling and the associated issue of computing facilities were emphasised by the participants as research topics which need a focused and European approach. As cross-cutting areas these fields have a high relevance to many specific disciplines in the energy field.

• The establishment of an institute dedicated to research on fuel cells and energy storage was also discussed, which could address all of the needs of these technology systems (this is an example of a technology-down institute.) It was noted that experts on high- vs. low-temperature fuel cells are often reluctant to collaborate. There is often a lack of appreciation that fuel cells can have multiple applications.

• So far, there has been a strong focus on material science and physics and there should be a greater focus on the biological sciences for biomass and biofuels research.

• Besides considering new energy technologies, one of the participants mentioned the importance of also considering aspects of basic research for fossil fuel technologies, especially the need for basic sciences to help reduce their impacts and environmental problems.

• Communication across biotechnology research must be improved. In this area Europe should learn from the US but also develop a European concept/ idea. Another participant suggested using the model of annual meetings to share information on research progress (as is done in the US for biofuels and chemicals). Furthermore a truly integrated European research community in the biofuel area should be established by building new exchange platforms.

The different presentations of the workshop can be found at:

http://www.isi.fhg.de/e/eng/projekte/31-247-9-e.htm

http://www.isi.fhg.de/e/eng/projekte/31-247-9-e.htm


Basic Research and Innovative science for Energy

DRAFT AGENDA

10.00 Welcome and Introduction

10.15 Energy Research: The challenges. The necessary breakthroughs

(2 presentations: 20 min. – Discussion: 35 min) Wim C. Turkenburg, Utrecht University Marilyn Brown, Technology Policy and Assessment Center, Georgia Institute of Technology

11.10 Whither Basic Research in Europe? Strengths / Weaknesses. Past, current and future (Presentation: 20 min. – Discussion: 30 min) Christian Sartorius, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research

12.00 What basic Research can bring to the development of new concepts and new approaches for the exploitation of energy sources. Examples of cross cutting basic research applied to Energy Research (3 presentations: 30 min. – Discussion: 45 min) John Kilner, Imperial College London Harald Bolt, Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik Christian Mohrdiek, Head of Fuel Cell R&D; Daimler Crysler AG

13.15 Lunch Break

14.15 Barriers to cross cutting basic research for Energy (Introduction by moderator: 5 min. – Experts Statements / Discussion: 50 min.)

15.10 Basic Research and Energy – Needs - Leads for action (Proposals: 20 min. – Discussion: 40 min)

16.10 Conclusions


Participants

Title First Name Last Name Company/Institution

Dr. Attila Aszodi Budapest University of Technology and Economics

Mr. Gianluca Benamati ENEA

Mr. Jos Beurskens ECN - Netherlands Energy Research Foundation

Prof. Harald Bolt Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik

Prof. William D'Haeseleer Katholieke Universiteit Leuven-Energie Instituut

Dr, Emma Frow ESRC Genomics Policy and Research Forum - The University of Edinburgh

Mr. Wolfgang Hoffelner Paul Scherrer Institut

Prof. John Kilner Imperial College London

Mr. Carlos Itoiz Acciona Energía

Mr. Antonio Luque Lopez Institute of Solar Energy

Mr. Ernesto Macias Galàn Isofoton

Dr. Christian Mohrdieck Head of Fuel Cell R&D

Dr. Christian Ngô ECRIN

Prof. Emilio Palomares Institut Català d'Investigacio Quimica

Dr. Kati Reczey Budapest University of Technology and EconomicsDpt of Applied Biotechnology and Food Science

Prof. Günter Schmid University of Duisburg-Essen

Dr, Marek Sciazko Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal

Prof. Ulrich Stimming Technische Universitaet Muenchen

Mr. Jean-Marie Tarascon Université de Picardie Jules Verne

Prof. Wim C. Turkenburg Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development and Innovation

Mr. Bob Van der Schaaf NRG-Petten

Dr. Ivo Vasa Nuclear Research Institute, Rez plc

Prof. George Yadigaroglu Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

Prof. Panayiotis Yianoulis University of Patras - Physics Department- Section of Applied Physics

Dr. Dr. Sartorius Christian Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research


BRISE Project Partners

Title First Name Last Name Company/Institution

Dr. Ragwitz Mario Fraunhofer Institute Systems and Innovation Research – Germany

Dr. Soria Antonio JRC- IPTS Institute for Prospective Technological Studies - Sevilla

Prof. Brown Marilyn Georgia-Tech - USA

Mr. Toro Felipe BSR Sustainability GmbH

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BASIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE SCIENCE FOR ENERGY · PDF fileAND INNOVATIVE SCIENCE FOR ENERGY ... super capacitors, ... Workshop on BASIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE SCIENCE FOR ENERGY