European Commission Presented A Proposal For A Future Energy Union

On 25 February, the European Commission (EC) presented a proposal for a future Energy Union, a non-binding document outlining a wide range of initiatives to foster an EU-wide energy policy allowing for a free flow of energy throughout the EU territory.

Funding Opportunities: Call For Proposals On Low Carbon Energy Related Research And Development Projects

EUROGIA2020, the EUREKA low-carbon energy technology cluster, announced its latest call (CALL 04) for the submission of transnational low-carbon energy related research and development projects.

Future Cuts On The Horizon 2020 Budget

The European Commission has released details of which areas of research will be cut when €2.7 billion is taken from the  Horizon 2020 science programme and put into the new €315 billion investment fund.

2030 Climate And Energy Package Agreed By Member States

During the last EU Council meeting, held on 23-24 October in Brussels, Member States agreed on the 2030 Package, covering Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions reduction, energy efficiency, renewable energy, interconnections and the Emissions Trading System (ETS). Central and Eastern European countries, led by Poland, succeeded in getting financial concessions in return for signing up to the package.

The Delegation From The US Department Of Energy Visits The ETN Office

On 19 September 2014, the delegation from the US Department of Energy and the Cranfield University came to the ETN office to discuss opportunities for future cooperation.

White Rose CCS Project To Receive Funding Under The European NER300 Funding

The European Commission announced that the UK based White Rose CCS Project will be awarded up to €300 million in funding as part of the second round of NER300 programme. Capture Power, the developer of the project, is a joint venture set up by Alstom, Drax and BOC to develop White Rose in close co-operation with National Grid, who will provide the CO2 transportation and storage infrastructure.

Commission Publishes Energy Efficiency Communication

On 23 July 2014, the European Commission published a Communication on Energy efficiency and its contribution to energy security and the 2030 Framework for climate and energy policy. The European Commission proposes a target of increasing energy efficiency by 30 % by 2030, and suggests extending the current energy efficiency framework into the new 2030 package of EU climate and energy policies. The Commission has left it to

Publication Of BP’s Statistical Review

In June, BP published its 63rd Annual Statistical Review of World Energy. The report shows that the year 2013 saw an acceleration in the growth of global energy consumption, despite a stagnant global economy. Oil remains the world’s leading fuel, with 32.9% of global energy consumption, but it also continued to lose market share for the fourteenth consecutive year. Globally, natural gas accounted for 23.7% of primary energy consumption. Coal’s share of global primary energy consumption reached 30.1%, the highest since 1970. Nuclear output accounted for 4.4% of global energy consumption, the smallest share since 1984. The data in this review shows a flexible global energy system adapting to a changing world. To view the report please click here.

Italian Presidency Of The Council Of The European Union

In July, Italy took on the rotating Presidency of the European Council until December 2014. Italy’s energy priorities will be to reach an agreement on the EU 2030 climate and energy policies framework, to address energy supply security and to make progress on the Medium Combustion Plant (MCP) Directive.

Alstom Board Chooses GE Offer

On 21 July, GE informed that the Alstom Board of Directors has unanimously decided to positively recommend GE’s offer to acquire the Power and Grid businesses of Alstom.