Theme 5 - Objective

The main aim of research in the energy thematic area is to aid the creation and establishment of the technology necessary to change the current fossil fuel based energy system into a more sustainable one, less depended on imported fuels. Such a system would be based on a diverse mix of energy sources and carriers, with particular attention being paid to lower and non-CO₂ emitting energy technologies, combined with enhanced energy efficiency and conservation, to address the pressing challenges of security of supply and climate change, while increasing the competitiveness of Europe's industries.

The energy theme within FP7 will be managed by two General Directorates of the European Commission, namely the Directorate-General for Research (DG RTD) and Directorate-General for Energy and Transport (DG TREN).

There are nine main activities in the energy theme of the cooperation programme.

Theme 5 - Structure

• 5.1 - Hydrogen and fuel cells - supporting EU fuel cell and hydrogen industries, for stationary, portable and transport applications.
• 5.2 - Renewable electricity generation - technologies to increase overall conversion efficiency, cost efficiency and reliability, driving down the cost of electricity production.
• 5.3 - Renewable fuel production - fuel production systems and conversion technologies.
• 5.4 - Renewable for heating and cooling - technologies for cheaper, more efficient active and passive heating and cooling from renewable energy sources.
• 5.5 - CO2 capture and storage technologies for zero emission power generation - technologies reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuel use by capturing CO2.
• 5.6 - Clean Coal Technologies - substantially improve power plant efficiency, reliability and reducing costs through research, development and demonstration of cleaner coal and other solid fuel conversion technologies, producing also secondary energy carriers (including hydrogen) and liquid or gaseous fuels.
• 5.7 - Smart energy networks - increasing the efficiency, safety, reliability and quality of the European electricity and gas systems and networks in the context of a more integrated European energy market.
• 5.8 - Energy efficiency and savings - technologies to improve energy efficiency and to enable final and primary energy consumption savings, over their life-cycle, for buildings (including lighting), transport, services and industry.
• 5.9 - Knowledge for energy policy making - tools, methods and models to assess the economic and social issues related to energy technologies and to provide quantifiable targets and scenarios for medium and long term horizons.

For the content of the theme, the specific topics of the open call, implementation of calls, indicative priorities for future calls, please see the Energy Work Programme  (460 kb)