-.'-'*S;'qJ COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 15.12.1995 
COM(95) 665 final 
Commission report 
' «fori- ' on the application 
of Council Regulation 2008/90 of 29 June 1990 
il*1-
iH Wi*.., ( -Assessment of the THERMIE programme 
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ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR THE THERMIE PROGRAMME 
Pages 
Summary and general conclusions 
1 The THERMIE programme and its implementation 1 cL 
1.1. Principal objectives 1 ju 
1.2. Types of projects and areas of application 2 
1.3. Associated measures 2 
1.4. Implementation of projects 3 
1.4.1. Financial commitments 3 
1.4.2. Types of projects financed 5 
1.4.3. Technical objectives and examples 5 
of projects 
1.5. Implementation of associated measures 6 
1.5.1. Financial commitments 6 
1.5.2. Types of associated measures 6 
1.5.3. Technical objectives and examples of 8 
associated measures 
2. The results of the THERMIE programme 9 
2.1. Projects 9 
2.1.1. The direct objectives of the projects 9 
2.1.1.1 Technical success 9 
2.1.1.2 Commercial success 10 
2.1.1.3. Replication 12 
2.1.2. Overall impact on Community policies 13 
2.1.2.1 Impact on energy supply 13 
and demand 
2.1.2.2 Impact on the environment 15 
2.1.2.3 Impact on economic development 16 
2.1.2.4 Impact on cooperation 17 
between Member States 
2.2. Associated measures 17 
2.2.1. The direct objectives of the associated 18 
measures 
2.2.2. Overall impact on Community policies 18 
3. Coordination with Community instruments 20 
3.1. The other Community energy programmes 20 
3.2. The programmes for exploiting 
and optimizing the results of ~- 20 
Research and Technological Development 
3.3. The Community Technological Research and 21 
Development programmes 
3.4. The Structural Funds 21 
3.5. The PHARE and TACIS programmes 22 
3.5.1. The TACIS programme 22 
3.5.2. The PHARE programme 22 
4. Coordination with similar programmes of the Member 23 
States 
5. Conclusions 24 
Annexes 
d. 
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Summary and general conclusions 
1. The purpose of the present report is to present an assessment of the THERMIE 
programme (1990-94). It follows the intermediate report from the Commission on the 
application of the THERMIE Regulation (COM (93) 642 final) of 9 December 1993. It is 
based on the assessment of the THERMIE projects (March 1995) and the assessment 
of the impact of the associated measures (June 1995) carried out by two different 
panels of independent experts. 
2. The THERMIE programme set out to promote a market for efficient energy technologies. 
To do this, it was endowed with various instruments: 
- support for innovative, dissemination and targeted projects; 
- associated measures aimed at disseminating the results and promoting the 
technology of the successful projects. 
It also laid particular stress on the environmental aspects, on the participation of SMEs 
and on cohesion between countries of the European Commission whilst also confirming 
the security of supply and energy efficiency objectives. 
In a period of low energy prices, decision-makers are hesitant to invest in innovative 
technologies. The purpose of the THERMIE programme was therefore to help these 
novel technologies on to the market. To this end, the THERMIE programme's 
demonstrational and promotional character was strengthened. 
3. A complete assessment of the direct and especially the indirect results of the THERMIE 
programme is not possible at this time. The projects which received financial backing in 
1994 are only just beginning. 
However, significant conclusions may be drawn from the assessment of the THERMIE 
projects which show "definite" results (157 projects out of 726 projects backed) and a 
sizable proportion of the associated measures. 
4. The direct results of the THERMIE programme may be regarded as satisfactory: 
Technical success of the projects: 
Project assessment has shown that 56% of the projects ended in complete success. 
Added to this are 23% of projects in which partial technical success was achieved. 
Moreover, 57% of the projects examined have led to lasting technological 
improvements. 
Commercial success of the projects 
An acceptable payback time (varying depending on the programme areas and the 
application sectors) was achieved in 41% of the projects. Other criteria for commercial 
success (the presence of promotional activities, compliance with legal obligations) also 
yield satisfactory results overall. 
Replication of the projects: 
The new emphasis of the THERMIE programme is on the replication of "successful" 
THERMIE projects. Overall, the rate of replication of these projects is currently 30%. 
However, the potential rate of replication is, according to the assessors, close to 80%. 
4. O. 
The direct impact of the associated measures: 
In 62% of cases the specific activities aroused significant interest on the part of the 
potential decision-makers and in 38% of cases resulted in a concrete decision. 
5. The overall impact of the programme on Community policies was also examined: 
The impact as regards energy supply and demand is potentially sizable. The experts 
estimate that in the sector of the rational use of energy (RUE), between 10 and 20% of 
final energy demand could still be saved. Some of these savings could be achieved 
through dissemination of efficient technologies. In the sector of renewable energy 
sources (RES), the biomass and waste-related projects may make a definite short-term 
contribution if they are replicated in sufficient number. Similarly, the most efficient 
technologies in the area of solid fuels and hydrocarbons positively influence both 
internal supply and energy demand. 
The environmental impact of the RUE and RES areas is very significant if a replication 
rate close to the potential rate is achieved. Efficient technologies in these areas play a 
definite role in reducing the emissions of C02 and other harmful gases as well as in 
reducing other forms of air, water or soil pollution. 
Innovative solid fuels technologies contribute significantly towards reducing emissions 
of S0X, NOx, and C02, and their role is appreciably greater than in the previous 
programmes. 
The impact on economic development and on international cooperation is particularly 
significant, especially if we consider: 
- the direct investments of the Community in advanced and efficient technologies 
having an impact on industrial competitivity; 
- the promotion and dissemination of technologies and information about these 
technologies throughout the Community, including the less-favoured regions, directly 
affecting economic and social cohesion; 
- the setting-up of an industrial network for international cooperation between large 
companies and especially SMEs which, by virtue of the THERMIE programme, have 
had access to advanced technologies; 
- the strengthening of cooperation with third countries specifically through associated 
measures and more particularly with the Eastern European countries, whose energy 
potential is a matter of prime concern in tomorrow's European energy scenario. 
The higher the actual rate of replication, illustrated above, becomes, the more concrete 
will be the overall impact of the THERMIE programme. With this in mind, theTHERMIE 
programme has set aside 125 MECU (22% of the budget allocated for projects) for 
dissemination projects aimed at replicating efficient technologies, with a few technical, 
economic or geographical variants. 
The associated measures are also part of this scheme for supporting replication. 
A e-
6. Coordination with the other activities of the Community in the energy field is also 
paramount. 
Close collaboration has been established between the THERMIE programme and the 
other four Community energy programmes (SAVE, ALTENER, SYNERGY and regional 
energy programming) as regards the definition of priorities, exchange of information 
relating to assessments of proposals and the results obtained, and future developments. 
Close contacts have also been established with the JOULE programme and the results 
dissemination activities. 
The JOULE/THERM IE joint programme adopted under the fourth framework programme 
ensures better continuity of Community action in the Research, Development and 
Demonstration sector. 
The Commission has also undertaken a general assessment of the programmes, in 
which the synergies and coordination between these programmes will be analysed in 
depth as will their overall contributions to the relevant Community policies. 
Moreover, a PECO (Central and Eastern European countries) working group, whose 
meetings are attended by officials with responsibility for the JOULE/THERMIE, 
SYNERGY, PHARE and TACIS programmes, has been set up. It regularly deals with 
important topics relating to the management of the relevant programmes. 
7. Increasingly close coordination with similar activities of the Member States, especially 
through the THERMIE Committee at which the representatives of the Member States 
participate fully in the implementation and future direction of the JOULE/THERMIE 
programme, is also an important means of promoting efficient energy technologies. 
8. The THERMIE programme has proved to be a suitable instrument for helping efficient 
technologies on to the market. To do this, it is important to maintain and, if possible, 
improve integration between research projects, innovative THERMIE projects, 
dissemination projects relating to demonstrations under other conditions, targeted 
projects relating to specific and significant problems, and associated measures and their 
monitoring. These activities should ideally form one continuous whole enabling the 
Community to have a complete range of support options from basic research (JOULE) 
to the entry of efficient technologies into the market (THERMIE and dissemination 
activities). 
A C 
1. The THERMIE programme and its implementation 
1-1- Principal objectives 
The Community's initiatives regarding technological development in the energy field 
developed out of the energy crisis of 1973. The regulations adopted since that date 
were intended to respond to the characteristics and changes in the energy market: 
- The energy crises of 1973 and 1979 led to two abrupt increases in the price of 
energy and prompted concern that these increases might be repeated ad infinitum. 
The drop in the price of oil in 1986 altered the equation. 
- The awareness of the dependency of the European Union within a strategic area 
such as energy and the necessity to improve the security of supply. 
- The growing importance of the environmental impact of human activities, and of 
energy-related activités in particular. 
- The problem of emissions of C02 into the atmosphere (as well as other emissions) 
contributing to the greenhouse effect has turned out to be particularly important in 
the energy field. 
Annex 1 provides a general overview of the successive regulations since 1974, together 
with the areas covered. 
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 2008/90 of 29 June 1990, concerning the promotion of 
energy technologies in Europe (THERMIE programme), is aimed mainly at the following 
objectives: 
- maintaining efforts aimed at diversifying the Community's energy supplies and 
improving energy efficiency; 
- the search for balanced solutions in regard to energy and the environment, by 
resorting to the best economically justified existing technologies; 
- making use of the endogenous energy potential of the regions, especially those 
which are less favoured, so as also to contribute to strengthening the economic and 
social cohesion of the Community. 
To do this, the THERMIE programme adopts two approaches which are complementary 
with respect to the previous energy programmes and research programmes: 
- continuity of the actions undertaken in the framework of the demonstration projects 
and industrial pilot projects in the energy field Regulation 3640/85) and of the 
programme supporting technological development in the hydrocarbon sector (Regula-
. tion 3639/85) 
- promotion of innovative energy-related technologies with a view to their wider use, 
either under different economic or geographical conditions, or with technical variants. 
Through this programme, the Community decided to back projects and associated 
measures in order to promote a market for efficient energy technologies. By comparison 
with the earlier demonstration programmes, the THERMIE programme devotes a sizable 
proportion of its activities to the disseminating of novel technologies. It is further 
downstream than the research programmes, and, through this new approach, it is also 
- 1 cL -, 
somewhat downstream of the previous energy programmes. 
1-2. Types of projects and areas of application 
There are three types of project which can benefit from financial backing: 
- innovative projects, for which the research/development phase is in essence 
complete, but for which the technical and economic viability of the new technologies 
needs to be proved; 
- dissemination projects, for which the technology has already been the subject of a 
first demonstration but whose penetration into the market is promoted under different 
economic or geographical conditions; 
- targeted projects for which an essential need exists or a significant technological 
advance can be made through strengthened cooperation. 
The areas of application of the THERMIE programme are as follows: 
- the rational use of energy; 
- renewable energy sources; 
- solid fuels; 
- hydrocarbons. 
1.3. Associated measures 
Associated measures are also undertaken to promote the application of energy 
technologies and their penetration into the market. 
These measures include: 
- analysis of the characteristics and assessment of the potential of the market; 
- project monitoring and assessment; 
- the dissemination of information and the promotion of technologies and project 
results through various instruments; 
- recourse to public or private, national/regional or local institutions; 
- industrial cooperation with third countries. 
2 -
1-4. Implementation of projects 
1.4.1. Financial commitments 
The financial commitments under the THERMIE Regulation relate to: 
- the financial contribution to the projects; 
- the associated measures; 
- the administration of the programme. 
shows the indicative shareout of the commitments made between these 
categories of THERMIE. Table 1.4.1. 
Table 1.4.1.: THERMIE - Indicative breakdown of commitments made 
(in MECU) 
, 
1. Support to projects 
2. Associated measures 
3a. Operational expenditure on 
studies, experts, meetings, 
etc.. 
3b. Expenditure on support and 
assistance 
Total 1990 
44.9 
0,1 
0.1 
45.0 1991 
115.5 
20.7 
4,6 
9.2 
145.41 1992 
127.6 
26.3 
3,3 
6.9 
160.82 1993 
138.0 
31.6 
4,8 
4.3 
173.9 1994 
148.1 
27.8 
4,6 
6.1 
182.0 Total 
574.1 
106.4 
17,4 
26.6 
707.1 % 
81.2 
15.0 
2,5 
3.8 
100.0 
The table in Annex 2 illustrates the number of projects and the financial backing per area. 
a) The rational use of energy (RUE) 
An examination of the shareout of the budget provision for the projects shows that the 
area of the rational use of energy represents around 172 MECU of financial 
contributions, namely 30% of the earmarked funds (574 MECU) and 259 projects, 
namely 35% of the total number of projects picked (726 projects). 
This area is subdivided into 4 sectors: 
- the building sector for which 71 projects were financed for a sum total of 31 MECU 
- the industry sector with 144 projects receiving a total of 84.7 MECU — 
-. the energy industry sector with 11 projects receiving a total of 9.8 MECU, and 
- the transport sector for which 33 projects were supported for a sum total of 46.3 
MECU. 
The area of RUE covers a vast range of technologies with a very high innovation 
potential. It is also characterized by the presence, among the contractors, of a higher 
number of users than producers/suppliers. A sizable proportion of these contractors are 
SMEs. 
including 10,1 Mecu for the new German Lander. 
excluding POSEIMA (5 Mecu). 
- 3 
In the industrial sector the majority of the contractors are private companies, and 
numerous public enterprises are involved in the projects which come under" the building 
and transport sectors. 
b) Renewable energy sources (RES) 
The projects in the area of renewable energy sources (RES) received an overall 
financial backing of 159.5 MECU (around 28% of the sum total of funds) shared out 
among 272 projects (37.5% of the projects picked). 
This area is subdivided into 5 sectors: 
- the solar sector with 107 projects selected for a total financing of 34.6 MECU 
- the biomass sector with 50 projects backed for a sum total of 62.4 MECU. 
The relatively small number of biomass projects backed as against the sizable sum 
total of the backing results from the selection in 1994 of 3 targeted biomass 
gasification projects (see also Annex 12) for a sum total of 21 MECU. These 3 
biomass targeted projects constitute the first and only targeted projects of the 
THERMIE programme within the RES area. 
- the geothermal sector with 26 projects for a total of 15.2 MECU 
- the hydroelectric sector with 37 projects for a sum total of 13 MECU 
- the wind-power sector in which 52 projects were financed with a total provision of 
34.2 MECU. 
Many of the contractors encountered in this area are public enterprises or SMEs, 
notably equipment manufacturers with fewer than 100 staff. 
c) Hydrocarbons 
The area of hydrocarbons received overall financial backing of 122 MECU (21% of the 
total budget) for 167 projects (23% of the total). 
This is a particularly strategic area which has been the subject of Community 
programmes since 1973. Under the THERMIE programme, this area is subdivided into 
four principal sectors: exploration, production, transport and storage. 
The contractors encountered in this area are either large oil companies or small 
engineering concerns. 
d) Solid fuels 
The solid fuels area was granted a financial backing of 121 MECU (21% of the budget 
used to finance the projects) for 28 projects (4% of the projects picked). 
This is an area in which the projects are of considerably greater size than average 
(average financial backing per project of around 4.3 MECU as against a general 
average contribution of around 800 000 ECU). 
. 4 -
The projects in this area are split into four sectors: combustion, conversion, waste and 
integrated gasification with a combined gas/steam cycle. 
The contractors encountered in this area are principally energy-producing concerns. 
1.4.2. Types of projects financed 
Table 1.4.2. illustrates the shareout by area and by type of project. 
The innovative projects represent almost 70% of the projects picked and almost 59% 
of the total budget. 
The dissemination projects constitute 27% of the projects and 21% of the budget. 
The targeted projects form 3% of the projects but, in view of their "aggregating" 
nature and their areas of preference (solid fuels, biomass and RUE), represent 20% 
of the total budget. 
Table 1.4.2. Implementation of THERMIE by sector 
and by type of project 
(in MECU) 
* 1990 1994 
RUE 
RES 
SOLID FUELS 
HYDROCARBONS 
TOTAL Innovative 
projects 
Number i Sums 
j allocated 
161 | 87 
159 ] 69 
20 ! 62 
159 | 117 
499 J 335 Dissemination 
projects 
Number i Sums 
j allocated 
84 J 48 
110 | 69 
2 ! 3 
8 J 5 
204 ! 125 Targeted 
projects 
Number t Sums 
j allocated 
14 | 37 
3 [ 21 
6 J 56 
0 | 0 
23 » 114 Total number of i Total support to 
projects j the projects 
259 | 172 
272 [ 159 
28 [ 121 
167 | 122 
726 i 574 
1-4.3. Technical objectives and examples of projects 
Annex 12 sets out succinctly the technical objectives sought through the backing of the 
projects in each area and each sector. 
Annex 13 describes a few examples of projects financed under the programme, 
together with the expected technical results. 
- 5 
1.5 Implementation of associated measures 
Execution of the associated measures was entrusted in essence to organizations -
called OPETs ("Organizations for the Promotion of Energy Technologies") - which exist 
within the Member States and are responsible for promoting the energy technologies of 
the national programmes or have the capacity to promote the technologies coming 
within the areas of application of THERMIE. This is a major tool for promoting novel 
energy technologies. This structure, unique among the Community instruments, enables 
information to be disseminated across the European Community and beyond, and to 
ensure coordination of the promotional measures carried out at Community, national 
and regional levels within the European Community. 
1.5.1. Financial commitments 
A sum total of 106.4 MECU was set aside for the associated measures in the 
THERMIE programme, namely 15% of the budget provision. 
The shareout of this sum total by programme area is illustrated in Table 1.5.1. below: 
Table 1.5.1. Shareout of the budget provision for the associated 
measures by programme area. 
Sector Sum Total % 
MECU 
RUE 4a9 46 
RES 23 21.6 
Hydrocarbons 17.5 16.4 
Solid fuels 17 16 
TOTAL 106.4 100 
1-5.2. Types of associated measures 
The associated measures are subdivided into two categories: general tasks and 
specific tasks. 
a) General tasks 
These are tasks imposed by the very nature of the THERMIE activity in regard to 
promotion. The existence of the network of OPETs, the necessities of coordination, the 
extending of the activities to the Energy Centres in the Countries of Central and Eastern 
Europe and the monitoring and assessment of projects entail horizontal tasks in order 
to disseminate information, coordinate activities, ensure homogeneity and fully exploit 
the opportunities offered by the network of OPETs. 
These cross-sector tasks provide the support required by the specific tasks. A sum total 
of 60 MECU was set aside for this type of activity. The table in Annex 3 gives details 
of the general tasks carried out. 
The monitoring and assessment of projects constitutes a significant general task. 
Continuous awareness of the state of projects enables the Commission to define the 
most suitable actions during the life of the projects or after they have been completed 
and to ensure proper financial management of the sums allocated to the programme. 
Other general tasks include: 
- the preparation and production of documentation, videos and other promotional 
material of a general nature; 
- the analysis of the characteristics and the assessment of the potential of the market 
(including management of the "market groups") in respect of the application of 
energy technologies and their penetration into the market; 
- the optimization of data banks; 
- the organization of and participation in seminars, conferences and technical and 
environmental fairs, of a general and/or cross-sector nature. 
The OP ET network, made up of private or public national, regional or local institutions, 
has been the main route for the application of the associated actions. It operates at 
several levels: 
- In the Member States, the participants in the network carry out the various activités 
alone or in cooperation. 
- The collaboration of several OPETs in carrying out an action of European dimension 
is overseen by one of them from its headquarters in the Member States. 
- All of the actions are ultimately coordinated by the OPETs which have set up a 
coordination and support office in the departments of the Commission at Brussels 
(OPET-CS). 
- Lastly, in third countries, as the OPETs do not have a permanent structure, the 
Commission has facilitated the opening of Energy Centres. These centres have the 
goal of helping to promote energy technologies within the relevant markets and of 
putting into practice the industrial cooperation actions provided for in the regulation. 
At the end of 1994, the OPET network comprised 49 bodies present in all the 
Community countries. Besides the OPETs, 15 Energy Centres are financed in the 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS. Annex 4 gives the list of OPETs 
and Energy Centres. 
b) Specific tasks 
These tasks are geared towards promotional actions in well-defined areas. A sum total 
of 46.4 MECU was set aside to finance 1185 actions covering the 4 areas of the 
programme. The importance of this cooperation with third countries has caused the 
programme to be particularly active in these countries; 414 specific actions were 
financed there, to which we must add 74 "mixed" actions (Community/third countries). 
- 7 
The 1185 specific actions financed can be divided up according to the data in Table 
1.5.2. The actions in the area of the rational use of energy are most numerous with 779 
actions whereas the area of renewable energies occupies second place with 204 
actions. Finally, the 2 sectors relating to fossil-fuel energy sources were characterized 
by lesser involvement. This can be explained by the nature of these industrial sectors 
in which the capacity for dissemination of those involved is greater and where the 
actions are aimed at a limited number of decision-makers in the market. 
Table 1.5.2. THERMIE-ASSOCIATED MEASURES 
Specific actions - Division by area 
SECTOR 
RUE 
RES 
Hydrocarbons 
Solid fuels 
Mixed 
TOTAL Number 
of 
measures 
779 
204 
97 
74 
31 
1,185 % 
65.8 
17.2 
8.2 
6.2 
2.6 
100 Sums 
granted 
(Mécus) 
29,126 
9,611 
3,136 
3,464 
1,053 
46,390 % 
62.9 
20.7 
6.7 
7.4 
2.3 
100 
The dissemination of information regarding the promotion of the energy technologies 
and of the results of projects has taken up a large proportion of the Community action 
relating to the specific actions. The facilities employed cover the entire gamut of existing 
possibilities, from diverse publications ("flag brochures" and "maxi-brochures") to the 
organizing of technical conferences and seminars. The table in Annex 5 details the 
specific actions by category. The division of these actions in terms of the area of 
involvement covered by THERMIE shows that a large proportion of the actions related 
to the rational use of energy, with the emphasis on market studies, workshops and 
publications, as shown by the table in Annex 6. 
Market studies represent, with 255 actions, a specific type of activity which is very 
important with regard to the analysis of the characteristics and potential of the markets 
concerned. Per area, 174 studies had the objective of identifying opportunities for 
technologies for reducing energy consumption (RUE), 60 studies were concerned with 
alternative energy sources, 14 dealt with the potential of hydrocarbon technologies and 
6 related to the market for solid fuels. 
1.5.3. Technical objectives and examples of associated measures 
Annex 12 sets out succinctly the technical objectives sought through the associated 
measures. 
Annex 13 describes a few specific actions undertaken. 
- 8 -
2. The results of the THERMIE programme 
2.1. Projects 
Since the THERMIE programme covers the period 1990-94, it is not possible to 
undertake a complete analysis of the results relating to all the projects supported. This 
is explained by the relatively long lifetime of the projects, including contractual 
obligations, scaling-up and the measurement and assessment period. 
The present analysis is based on the THERMIE projects which have produced definite 
results, namely 157 projects out of a total of 726 projects supported. These are projects 
which are either finished or unfinished and for which the assessors were able to issue 
an appraisal. 
2.1.1. The direct objectives of the projects 
The direct objectives of the projects can be analysed according to three criteria: 
- technical success 
- commercial success 
- replication rate 
2.1.1.1. Technical success 
The technical performance of the THERMIE projects can be regarded as 
satisfactory, since 56% of the projects ended in "complete technical 
success" in relation to the technical objectives envisaged. 
Table 2.1.1.1. illustrates the division by area of the technically successful 
projects: 
Table 2.1.1.1. Technical success of the THERMIE projects 
Complete technical Partial success 
success 
THERMIE programme 56% 23% 
Rational use of energy 60% 26% 
Renewable energy 41% —22% 
sources 
Hydrocarbons 71% 16% 
Solid fuels 67% 17% 
This table therefore illustrates the fact that 79% of the projects gave rise to 
significant technical results. 
Moreover, according to the assessors, 57% of the projects afforded a lasting 
technological improvement. 
The technical performance of the projects varied from one area to another: 
The rate of complete success of the projects relating to the Rational 
Use of Energy (RUE) is 60% with a majority of projects leading to 
technological improvements. 
The "Industry" sector represents the highest degree of technical 
success. It is also interesting to note that, on average, the SMEs 
obtained technical results which are at least as good as the large 
concerns. 
The area of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) achieved the worst 
result from the technical point of view (41%) and only one third of the 
projects ended in a technological innovation. 
The area of Hydrocarbons is the sector with the highest rate of 
complete technical success (71%) and almost 2/3 of the projects led to 
lasting technological improvements. 
The best results are found in the highly specialized sectors such as 
exploration and offshore systems. 
The projects in the Solid Fuels area show a healthy rate of success 
(67%), thus constituting an improvement in relation to the previous 
programmes where this percentage was generally lower (48% for the 
period 1979-84). Moreover, the very expensive projects in this area 
often produced particularly significant technological improvements. 
2.1.1.2. Commercial success 
Commercial success is rather difficult to measure at this stage. 
Within the framework of the assessment, three main criteria were taken into 
consideration in its definition. 
An acceptable payback time 
This concept depends on the area, sector or industry to which the 
project applies. 
According to the assessors, in the case of industry, a payback time is 
considered to be acceptable at around 23 years in the area of the 
rational use of energy and 58 years in the area of renewable energy 
sources. Out of the 157 THERMIE projects examined, 41% had an 
acceptable payback time. Considering that the replication of THERMIE 
projects gives rise to far fewer risks and uncertainties, this percentage 
should be higher for this type of project. 
Other reasons for commercial success 
A project may be of commercial interest, even if the payback time 
exceeds the periods indicated above. 
- 10 -
For example, it may be of interest from the point of view of safety, 
impact on the environment or compliance with legal provisions. In the 
case of THERMIE, 33% of the projects were regarded as of interest 
according to this criterion, and so their replication should be 
encouraged. 
The presence of promotional activities 
In 52% of the projects, diverse promotional actions were undertaken by 
the contractors. This latter element does not come directly under the 
financial aspect but the replication of the successful projects often 
stems from it. 
Of the various areas covered by the programme, the Rational Use of 
Energy (RUE) projects showed the best payback time: 50% of the 
projects. 
This criterion is by far the most important element; the "other elements 
for success" were encountered in only 18% of the projects. 
The best results are found in industry, building and transport, but they 
are not as good for the energy industry. 
The collaboration between users and suppliers seems to be an 
important element for success. 
The projects coming under Renewable Energy Sources (RES) showed 
performance which was not as good in regard to acceptable payback 
time: 25%, but showed a high percentage of success for other reasons: 
41%. This payback period and the percentage of success show that 
the RES sector is taking off in economic terms. 
Naturally, differences may be found depending on the sector: 
wind-based energy, biomass and certain solar applications have good 
market prospects in relation to the current price of energy. In respect 
of geothermal and hydroelectric energy, the technologies are more 
mature and it is more difficult to commercialize technical improvements. 
In the area of Hydrocarbons, it was hard to unearth reliable data 
regarding payback times, since the purpose of the projects financed in 
this area was to promote or develop innovative concepts which can 
only be commercially profitable in the event of high oil prices. 
Moreover, many of the projects cover specific phases of technological 
development. In addition, the introduction of an innovative technology 
ensuring better exploitation of a deposit and hence better use of 
resources is in itself a total success. 
In the area of Solid Fuels, it has not been possible to date to draw 
conclusions in regard to commercial success in view of the limited 
number of projects with definite results. At all events, the complexity 
of these technologies makes it difficult to come to a conclusion in terms 
of payback period (return on investment). However, security of supply 
- 11 -
in future in itself represents a fundamental element of success. 
2.1.1.3. Replication 
The THERMIE Regulation laid the stress on replication of the demonstrated 
technologies. 
As in the case of the previous criteria, a project is replicated according to 
procedures which vary depending on the area concerned. 
This criterion relates to the projects which enjoyed complete or partial 
success (to a sufficient degree). 115 THERMIE projects (out of the 157 with 
a definite result) were taken into consideration. 
Four types of replication were highlighted by the assessors: (the 
percentages cannot be accumulated) 
inside the concern (contractor) : 18% of projects 
inside the country in which the : 17% of projects 
project took place 
inside the European Union : 20% of projects 
outside the European union : 10% of projects 
Overall, and lumping together all the types of replication, the replication rate 
is of the order of 30%. This means that to date, 30% of the projects taken 
into consideration have been replicated at least once. 
However, it is estimated that the "successful" projects have a replication 
potential of the order of 80%. 
The difference between the potential rate and the actual rate is due to 
various factors: 
a high percentage of the contractors are solely users. They naturally 
have little interest in replicating their projects or even in disseminating 
the results. 
This situation is encountered particularly in the RUE area in the 
industrial sector. 
the unfavourable market conditions due to the low price of energy (all 
sectors). 
novel technologies (essentially RES) are not always accepted by the 
market, conventional technologies appearing to be more reliable. 
the effects of promotional campaigns are not visible over such a short 
period. 
- 12 
2.1.2. Overall impact on Community policies 
Apart from the direct results of the THERMIE projects, the latter also have an overall 
impact on various Community policies; 
- energy supply and demand 
- the environment 
- economic development 
- international cooperation 
2.1.2.1. Impact on energy supply and demand 
The impact was analysed for the various programme areas. 
It should be emphasized here that, this being an overall impact, it is difficult 
to provide specific data. However, extremely useful indications can be 
deduced: 
Within the RUE area, the impact on energy supply and demand 
depends, more than with the other areas, on project replication, since 
the projects themselves have little impact on the demand. 
However, the potential for energy savings is far from negligible; the 
assessors estimated this potential for savings at 120 MTOE/v. 
Better penetration of the market by efficient technologies would 
therefore enable very concrete results to be achieved in this area. 
In the area of RES, assessment of the impact in terms of energy supply 
and demand varies very greatly across sectors. 
The photovoltaic projects produce little energy, whereas by contrast the 
projects involving energy from biomass and waste have a more 
significant energy impact. Moreover, the ability to replicate the projects 
(and hence, like the RUE projects, their actual impact) is likewise highly 
variable: for example, the hydroelectric, geothermal or wind-based 
projects depend on the availability of a site allowing exploitation under 
acceptable economic conditions. 
According to the assessors, the RES projects may potentially lead to a 
production of 2.8 MTOE/v of energy, half of it coming from the biomass 
and waste projects. 
In the area of Hydrocarbons (oil and gas), the Community's position as 
a producer was strengthened notably thanks to the efforts made 
through the Community energy programmes. 
The Community's annual production of hydrocarbons has increased 
from 130 MTOE in the 1970s to 250/300 MTOE in recent years, it 
having been virtually nil in 1973. 
The hydrocarbon projects of the THERMIE programme also played a 
- 13 -
part in reducing demand: according to the assessors, 56% of the 
"successful" THERMIE projects led to a sizable reduction in oil imports 
and 11% to sizable reductions in imports of other energy sources 
(usually gas). 
In the area of Solid Fuels, the impact in terms of energy supply and 
demand is weaker. 
The rate of replication of the projects in this sector is low. However, the 
potential for replication is, according to the assessors, very great and 
may therefore lead in due course to a significant impact. 
The production of energy from solid fuels can be increased, based on 
the results acquired. However, two elements need to be taken into 
account in this area: the construction of new power stations and the 
solving of environmental problems (emissions into the atmosphere). 
More specifically, the impact on supply and demand by area and by type of 
impact can also be illustrated by Table 2.1.2.1. below: 
Type of impact 
Increase in available fossil-based 
energy sources 
Promotion of international energy 
relations 
Promotion of European energy 
cooperation 
Development of industrial 
cooperation with third countries 
Strengthening of the energy 
industry 
Efficiency of energy production 
Development of local energy 
sources 
Reduction of the demand for 
energy 
Novel forms of energy services RUE 
** 
**** 
*** 
**** 
***** 
*** RES 
*** 
** 
** 
* 
** 
***** 
*** 
**• Hydrocarb 
ons 
***** 
**** 
*** 
*** 
*** 
* 
** 
* Solid 
fuels 
****** 
** 
** 
**** 
*** 
*** 
** 
Scoring system: 
From 1 to 5, (5 indicating the greatest impact) 
- 14 
2.1.2.2. Impact on the environment 
The environmental impact of the THERMIE programme and of the previous 
energy programmes was positive. 
In the RUE area, the impact stems in large part from the reduction in energy 
production (and hence from the reduction in emissions). The use of more 
efficient techniques may also lead to reductions in waste, or in raw materials 
used (including water). 
According to the assessors, lumping all the programmes together, 61% of 
the successful projects led to a reduction in pollutant emissions into the air, 
29% to a reduction in pollutant emissions into water and 18% to a reduction 
in pollutant or waste emissions into or onto the surrounding land. 
Note that in the area of transport, reducing pollutant emission into the air 
was and is a prime concern, especially in regard to reducing urban pollution 
by vehicles. 
In the RES area, taken as a whole, the technologies employed had a very 
positive impact on the environment: long-lasting resource, little or no 
contribution to the greenhouse effect. However, a few technologies may 
have negative implications, such as for example the incineration of waste 
(although the emissions standards are becoming increasingly stringent) or 
poor integration of a small hydroelectric power station into its environment. 
Special monitoring of the subsectors in question is essential. 
In the area of Hydrocarbons, the THERMIE programme laid particular stress 
on the environment; 47% of the "successful" projects had a positive impact 
in regard to protection of the environment as against an average of 17% for 
the hydrocarbon projects under the previous regulations. 
The current projects have the objective of "zero pollution", especially in 
regard to marine technologies. 
In the area of Solid Fuels, from now on, decision-makers are aware that a 
project is acceptable only if it is efficient, and also "clean". It emerges from 
the assessment that the technologies of the THERMIE projects (and hence 
the most recent projects within this sector) meet these objectives. 
15 
2.1.2.3. Impact on economic development 
The impact of the THERMIE programme on economic development can only 
be measured indirectly via qualitative indicators. 
Table 2.1.2.3. below illustrates the type of impacts encountered. Just as for 
the earlier cases, these vary across areas. 
Type of impact 
Increased efficiency of 
production 
Indirect investments 
Development of industrial 
branches 
Creation of employment 
Promotion of SMEs 
Production of energy in 
outlying areas RUE 
*** 
** 
*** 
**** Rtb 
* 
** 
*** 
**** 
***** 
***** Hydroca 
rbons 
*** 
*** 
***** 
* 
*** Solid 
fuels 
*** 
*** 
** 
* 
* 
Scoring system: 
From 1 to 5 (5 indicating the greatest impact) 
In the RUE area, the technologies are essentially capital-intensive, 
leading to a rise in investment and an increase in productivity. 
SMEs are particularly numerous in the field of the production and 
installation of energy-related equipment. 
In the area of RES, there is also a very sizable presence of SMEs. The 
latter have put the THERMIE programme to good use in order to 
expand their collaboration beyond their respective countries. 
The projects in the RES area also had considerable importance in the 
provision of energy in peripheral areas, especially through solar 
projects or wind-power projects. The technologies in this sector have 
more generally highlighted the use of local energy resources. 
In the area of Hydrocarbons, the role of the Community programmes 
was of paramount importance: a complex network of large companies 
and specialist SMEs was set up. Certain countries witnessed the 
creation of oil companies where, before these programmes were 
launched, there were none (e.g. Ireland). This area is characterized by 
the strengthening (or the creation) of an industrial- structure and 
increased European cooperation, especially through particularly efficient 
collaboration between multinationals and specialist SMEs. 
16 
In the area of Solid Fuels, the technologies are very capital-intensive 
and highly automated, thereby strengthening European industrial 
competitivity. 
The table in Annex 7 sets out the number of THERMIE projects in which 
SMEs feature. 
The table in Annex 8 illustrates the outlay of the programme in regard to 
economic and social cohesion through the support of projects originating in 
the so-called "cohesion" Community countries. The Community earmarked 
more than 25% of the THERMIE budget for projects originating in these 
countries. This outlay was considerable in the area of solid fuels (almost 
60%) in which Spain was given particular consideration. 
2.1.2.4. Impact on cooperation between Member States 
The THERMIE programme laid particular stress on projects with partners 
from different countries, as compared to the previous energy programmes. 
The table in Annex 9 illustrates the importance which international 
cooperation played in the programme. 
The multinational projects represent 35% of the total number of projects and 
49% of the total budget. 
In the four areas, international collaboration networks were set up. 
In the area of Solid Fuels, there is beneficial international collaboration 
between large companies, especially within the framework of targeted 
projects. International collaboration exists in 53% of the projects, covering 
54.5% of the budget allocated to this area. 
In the areas of RUE (39% of the projects, 52% of the budget) and RES 
(33% of the projects, 54% of the budget), international cooperation was 
reinforced through the particularly sizable participation of SMEs. 
The area of hydrocarbons (27.5% of the projects and 32% of the budget) 
shows a lesser degree of international collaboration, although of very good 
quality. 
2.2. Associated measures ~~ 
. It is quite difficult to assess the results of actions coming under the associated 
measures. 
The general actions including the activities of the OPET network are, as already 
indicated, support activities. By their very nature, the impact of these measures is not 
really measurable. Nevertheless, as regards these OPET activities, the assessors 
have stressed the need for better coordination and greater transparency for this type 
of action. 
As regards to the specific actions, it has been possible to carry out an evaluation of 
- 17 -
their impact. The purpose of these actions is to influence the decision-makers in their 
decision to invest in a technology which is efficient according to the criteria of the 
THERMIE programme. 
The assessors carried out an opinion survey among the relevant actors (OPETs and 
beneficiaries of/participants in the actions). 
2.2.1. The direct objectives of the associated measures 
In order to assess the direct impact of the actions undertaken, the assessors 
measured their effect among the relevant decision-makers with the AIDA method 
(Attention, Interest, Decision, Action). This method makes it possible to assess the 
attitude of the beneficiary of the action and the direct impact on his behaviour. 
According to the assessors, the direct impact of the specific actions is conclusive: 
The attitude of the relevant actors to the specific actions assessed was respectively: 
Neutral 
Attention 
Interest 
Decision 
Action 18% 
20% 
24% 
25% 
13% } 
}significant impact 
} 
(survey based on 46% of the budget set aside for specific actions). 
We can consider there to be a significant impact from interest onwards, that is to say 
in 62% of the actions. Moreover, for 38% of the actions there is decision on the part 
of the user following an associated measure. 
The results by programme area are as follows: 
Sector 
RUE 
RES 
HC 
SF Neutral 
(1) 
16 
18 
25 
19 Attention 
(2) 
20 
20 
27 
20 Interest 
(3) 
23 
23 
32 
26 Decision 
(4) 
26 
28 
14 
28 Action 
(5) 
15 
11 
2 
7 Significant 
impact 
(3)+(4)+(5) 
64 
62 
48 
61 Investor 
decision 
(4)+(5) 
41 
39 
16 
35 
This analysis demonstrates that the associated measures have a relatively 
homogeneous impact in 3 of the 4 areas of the programme. In the hydrocarbon 
sector, the specific actions have less influence. This state of affairs is due to the 
highly specialist nature of the actors (large oil companies, very specialist SMEs) who 
are hardly likely to be influenced from outside. 
2-2.2. Overall impact on Community policies 
The overall impact of the associated measures is difficult to assess. However, the 
assessors have attempted to draw up a global picture, through interviews with the 
relevant actors. 
18 
Through their informational actions, in the general sense of the term, the 
associated measures make it possible to accelerate the penetration of the 
innovative technologies into the relevant markets. 
According to the reckoning of the assessors, well-managed information 
dissemination actions can accelerate this penetration by 2 or 3 years depending 
on the technology and the sector concerned. 
The associated measures have firmly strengthened the multinational networks set 
in place by the partnerships of the THERMIE projects. In particular, they have 
enabled actors from regions or outlying countries to gain access to quality 
information which they would otherwise have been able to obtain only with 
difficulty, and also play a role in terms of economic cohesion and Community 
cooperation which may be described as not insignificant. 
The contribution of the associated measures to extra-Community cooperation was 
substantial. 
Through the Energy Centres, they enabled Community decision-makers to obtain 
a foothold in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and of the CIS in order 
to promote efficient technologies by means of the various instruments made 
available through the Community. 
They have also enabled the decision-makers in the countries of Central and 
Eastern Europe and of the CIS to be integrated into the THERMIE information and 
promotion network, thereby paving the way for the take-up of efficient Community 
energy technologies. 
The assessors have also drawn up a list of impacts which were ranked in order 
of importance. These types of impact were divided into 2 categories: 
Impacts relating to energy supply and demand (Annex 10) and impacts on 
economic development, including intra and extra-Community international 
cooperation (Annex 11). 
19 
3. Coordination with Community instruments 
The Community has various programmes which have a significant energy 
component. 
3.1. The other Community energy programmes 
Four Community energy programmes or actions were developed in parallel with the 
THERMIE programme: 
SAVE: Promotion of the rational use of energy and improvement in energy 
efficiency. 
ALTENER: Development of the use of renewable energies. 
SYNERGY: Cooperation with third countries in the definition and implementation of 
energy policy. 
Regional energy programming: promotion of regional and local energy 
management. 
Close collaboration has been established between these programmes and the 
THERMIE programme so as to avoid any risk of duplication of effort and to extract the 
maximum advantage from the synergy between these actions. 
This collaboration is embodied, in particular, in: 
the defining of the priorities of the various existing programmes; 
the exchanging of information in regard to the assessment of proposals 
received within the framework of these programmes; 
the exchanging of information in regard to the results of the actions 
supported; 
the future development of these programmes. 
The initiation, in the course of 1995, of a horizontal assessment of the energy 
programmes (including THERMIE) whose purpose, in particular, is to examine the 
oordination and synergies between these programmes, is indicative of the concern for 
optimal collaboration between these initiatives. 
32. The programmes for exploiting and optimizing the results of Research and 
Technological Development 
The Commission has developed, starting with its 3rd RTD framework programme, a 
scheme for disseminating technologies which covers the energy sector in part. Joint 
participation in exhibitions embracing the theme of energy has been exploited. 
Collaboration is up and running with the centres in regard to the dissemination of 
Community R&D results under the VALUE programme. 
Furthermore, the Euro Info Centres established by the Directorate-General for 
"Enterprise policy, distributive trades, tourism and cooperatives" (DG XXIII), are 
effective staging posts and have played a not insignificant role in informing the public 
about the THERMIE programme, certain bodies in the OPET network also being Euro 
- 20 -
Info Centres. 
3.3. The Community Research and Technological Development programmes 
Among the various programmes in support of R&D, the JOULE programme is 
developing energy technologies. This programme operates upstream of THERMIE and 
has the objectives of developing novel energy options which are economically viable 
and more advantageous in terms of their consequences for the environment and of 
developing technologies which consume less energy. 
A natural tendency in the results of the JOULE projects would be to give rise 
subsequently to THERMIE projects when demonstration proves to be necessary. In 
the same way, the results of THERMIE projects may provide inspiration for new 
JOULE projects. 
However, this connection in Community action has a few weaknesses. These may be 
explained in part by the different nature of the participants in each programme -
universities and research institutes in the case of the JOULE programme and 
companies in the case of THERMIE - as well as by a lack of information about the 
results and opportunities offered by the two programmes. 
The Council Decision of 23 November 1994 adopting a specific programme of 
research and technological development, including demonstration, in the area of non-
nuclear energy (JOULE-THERMIE programme) under the 4th Framework Programme, 
should improve this state of affairs. 
It should be possible to achieve a satisfactory degree of integration through better 
matching of the areas covered, harmonization at management level of the two 
components (JOULE and THERMIE), and increased exchange of information about 
the actions undertaken. 
3.4. The Structural Funds 
With the reform of the Structural Funds, the Objective 1 regions are in receipt of 
significant aid in respect of energy-related equipment. The CSFs (Community Support 
Frameworks) for the Objective 1 regions are extending the efforts made under the 
Community VALOREN programme (1987-91) insofar as it emphasizes the optimization 
of the endogenous energy potential. 
The VALOREN programme, assigned 400 million ECU, covered Greece, Portugal, 
certain regions of Spain, the Italian Mezzogiorno, Corsica, and the FrenchT)verseas 
Departments, Ireland and Northern Ireland. Because it covers areas of technology 
which are similar to those of the demonstration and THERMIE programmes, obvious 
links have emerged between the two programmes. In each of the geographical sectors 
covered, there are several directly matching projects, whether it be the replication of 
a technology supported during the development phase or the extending of a project 
to a large-scale application phase. 
Outside of the VALOREN programme, the INTERREG and REGIS Community 
initiatives propose, among the eligible measures, the development of renewable 
energy sources. 
- 21 
3.5. The PHARE and TACIS programmes 
The PHARE and TACIS programmes have definite synergies with the THERMIE 
programme. 
Certain Energy Eentres established in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe 
and of the CIS are in receipt of combined support (THERMIE/TACIS or 
THERMIE/PHARE/SYNERGY), and working relationships, especially via a Task 
Force, have been set in place between the departments with responsibility for these 
three Community instruments. 
3.5.1. The TACIS programme 
The TACIS programme was set up in order to help the newly independent States 
(Commonwealth of Independent States) to successfully achieve their transition from 
a planned economy to a democratic market economy. 
The priority sectors in this programme are infrastructures (including energy) and the 
environment, and hence there is the opportunity for fruitful cooperation with the 
THERMIE programme. Four Energy Centres are financed by the two programmes 
(Moscow, St. Petersburg, Minsk, Kiev). 
For example, the programme supports training activities, pre-investment and 
assistance studies which may culminate in fruitful collaboration. The complementary 
nature of the two programmes concerned may also be emphasized, especially in the 
case of a number of TACIS pilot projects which THERMIE is not in a position to 
finance but whose results it will be possible to harness. 
3.5.2. The PHARE programme 
The purpose of the PHARE programme is similar to that of the TACIS programme 
but is aimed at the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (including the Baltic 
countries). 
Here too, infrastructure (including energy) and the environment are the prime sectors 
and therefore close collaboration with THERMIE is highly desirable. 
Certain forms of joint regional collaboration may be emphasized, especially the 
contribution of the THERMIE programme to the Budapest Energy Centre set up 
under the PHARE programme. 
The PHARE programme stresses the preparation and carrying out of technical 
assistance projects in the framework of existing national programmes, culminating in 
recommendations for reforms involving investments which may sometimes be 
substantial. 
- 22 
4. Coordination with similar programmes of the Member States 
4.1. In order to carry out the THERMIE programme, the Commission is assisted by a 
Committee made up of representatives of the Member States. The latter are 
accompanied by experts. t Through this Committee, the representatives of the 
Member States have, in agreement with the Commission: 
- modified the sectors covered by the programme and their budget provision; 
- established priorities in respect of calls for proposals; 
- selected the projects and fixed the rate of financial support. 
The THERMIE Committee ftas therefore played an important role which has enabled 
it to lay the stress on complementary aspects and to avoid duplicating the work of 
the existing initiatives within the Member States. 
4.2. The project selection process also provides a good opportunity to meet the interested 
parties from the Member States. Commission officials are assisted in this task by 
outside experts. The latter are either proposed by the representatives of the Member 
States (THERMIE Committee), or selected directly by the Commission on the basis 
of their technical skills. They represent a wide spectrum of organizations with an 
interest in the programme (industry, technical centres, universities, various 
consultants) and can inform the Commission directly of progress and gaps in the 
energy sector at any given time. 
4.3. A study has also been undertaken to examine the problem of coordination 
("Coordination of THERMIE with other Member State programmes"). 
The conclusions of this study have highlighted the following points: 
- a nurhber of Member States have no programme of support for energy 
technologies; 
- in the RUE and RES areas, where the Member States are more active, the type 
of project supported by THERMIE is not generally covered by any national 
programme; 
- the stress laid by the THERMIE programme on projects with several partners from 
various Member States, and on the so-called cohesion countries, differentiates it 
from the national initiatives; 
- associated measures geared to third countries and especially towards the 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS are not generally to be 
found in the national programmes and therefore represent a significant 
complementary factor. 
- 23 
5. Conclusions 
5.1. The general conclusion to be drawn from the implementation of the THERMIE 
programme and the two assessments carried out by independent experts is that the 
new emphasis of the programme on helping efficient technologies on to the market 
has produced, at this stage, results which may be described as good, both as 
regards direct results (technical and commercial success, rate of replication) and 
global impact on the Community policies. 
5.2. The THERMIE programme has proved to be a suitable instrument for exploiting the 
energy efficiency potential and tor .helping the new technologies to penetrate the 
market. 
It has played a significant role in regard to the competitivity of enterprises by 
proposing efficient technologies which improve their industrial competitivity. The great 
majority of these efficient technologies were also shown to have a positive impact on 
the environment. The programme has played a not insignificant role in regard to 
support to SMEs (61% of the projects involve SMEs) and economic and social 
cohesion (21.5% of the projects were alloted to the so-called cohesion countries). 
Furthermore, it built a network of international cooperation (35% of the projects have 
contractors from different Member States), strengthened by the associated 
measures. 
5.3. The overall impact of the programme is linked with the rate of replication of efficient 
technologies. This rate, which is currently around 30%, can be considerably 
improved. The THERMIE programme has implemented two instruments to achieve 
this: 
- dissemination projects 
- associated measures. 
It is too early to say whether, in the way in which they have been used, these two 
new instruments will or will not allow the situation to be substantially improved. Very 
• probably the answer is yes. However, if that is not the case, a redirection of these 
instruments should be envisaged. 
5.4. The adoption of a JOULE-THERM IE joint programme under the 4th Framework 
Programme is an important step towards consolidating the efforts undertaken by 
THERMIE. 
However, the furtherance of the instruments which are indispensable to strengthening 
the impact of this type of programme on the energy policy objectives and thé 
objectives of other Community policies (environment, economic development 
including industrial competitivity, international cooperation), namely the projects and 
other dissemination activities, must be ensured. Under these conditions, the 
Community will be able to maintain and even strengthen a complete and suitable 
range of support options from basic research to the entry of efficient technologies 
into the market and to fully exploit the potential of this Community instrument. 
. 24 -
5.5. The furtherance of efforts towards third countries and especially towards the 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS, through the associated 
measures, in coordination with other relevant Community instruments, is also of 
major importance in view of the potential of these markets both from the viewpoint of 
the supply of energy and the demand for efficient technologies. 
25 
.-.-.. Annex 1 
Regulations aimed at technological development and demonstration in the energy 
sector (DG XVII) 
Regulations 
3056/73 
1302/78 
1303/78 
1971/83 
1972/83 
3639/85 
3640/85 
2008/90 
Council Dec. 
23.11.94 Periods 
1973-85 
1978-82 
1978-82 
1983-84 
1983-84 
1985-89 
1985-89 
1990-94 
1995-98 Hydrocarbons 
X 
X 
X 
X Solid 
fuels 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X Alternative 
sources 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X Rational 
use 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Sectors concerned by the energy regulations and programmes 
Hydrocarbon» Solid Fuel. 
Gasification 
Liquefaetion Alternative 
Energy Sources Energy Saving 
and Substitution 
of Hydrocarbons 
Z G 
•Y IMPLEMENTATION OF THERMIE 
NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT Annex 2 
(in MECU) 
SECTOR 
RUE 
Building 
Industry 
Energy 
industry 
Transport 
RES 
Solar 
Biomass 
Geo-thermal 
Hydro-electric 
Wind 
SOLID FUELS 
HYDRO­
CARBONS 
TOTAL 1990 
No. of 
projects 
39 
11 
26 
2 
27 
19 
5 
3 
3 
16 
85 Financial 
sup 
port 
18.713 
2.761 
14.971 
0.981 
6.613 
3.622 
2.362 
0.629 
9.591 
9.973 
44.890 1991 
No. of 
projects 
65 
19 
31 
5 
10 
51 
13 
12 
7 
10 
9 
6 
30 
152 Financial 
support 
34.809 
4.417 
19.135 
3.269 
7.988 
35.718 
7.155 
9.392 
6.080 
4.087 
9.004 
22.115 
22.888 
115.530 1992 
No. of 
projects 
52 
14 
26 
3 
9 
67 
24 
14 
5 
9 
15 
4 
31 
154 Financial 
support 
31.527 
5.404 
16.015 
3.954 
6.154 
35.115 
7.232 
11.228 
2.267 
3.751 
10.637 
33.195 
27.700 
127.537 1993 
No. of 
projects 
42 
9 
27 
3 
3 
52 
24 
14 
14 
10 
35 
139 Financial 
support 
43.311 
8.545 
15.855 
2.615 
16.296 
35.218 
8.539 
16.887 
9.792 
33.026 
26.447 
138.002 1994 
No. of 
projects 
61 
18 
34 
9 
75 
27 
5 
14 
18 
11 
5 
55 
196 Financial 
support 
43.420 
9.852 
18.728 
14.840 
46.752 
8.019 
22.555 
6.797 
5.240 
4.141 
23.060 
34.910 
148.142 TOTAL 
No. of 
projects 
259 
71 
144 
11 
33 
272 
107 
50 
26 
37 
52 
28 
167 
726 Financial 
support 
171.780 
30.979 
84.704 
9.838 
46.259 
159.416 
34.567 
62.424 
15.144 
13.078 
34.203 
120.987 
121.918 
574.101 
RUE = Rational Use of Energ^ -
RES = Renewable Energy Sources 
ANNEX 3 
(M THERMIE - ASSOCIATED MEASURES 
General actions 
Type Amounts granted % 
(MECU) 
Market and technology assessment 0.906 1.51 
Data gathering and processing; databases 2.040 3.40 
Programme evaluation 3.024 5.04 
Documentation (brochures, videos, etc.) and translation 2.592 4.32 
Dissemination of documentation and information 2.178 3.63 
Organization of and/or participation in promotional activities 6.972 11.62 
Reinforcement of promotion organizations 1.524 2.54 
Technical advice (project monitoring and evaluation) 4.998 8.33 
Support for the development of strategies for the promotion and coordination of 4.194 6.99 
activities (Member States - regions) 
Industrial cooperation in third countries in the above areas 12.264 20.44 
General coordination of OPET activities 3.444 5.74 
OPET - CS (Coordination Centre, Brussels 15.864 26.44 
TOTAL 60.000 100.00 
Annex 4 1/2 
"ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PROMOTION OF ENERGY 
TECHNOLOGIES" 
(OPET) 
ADEME, F - Paris 
ASTER SRL, I - Bologna 
BCEOM, F - Guyancourt 
BRESCU, UK - Watford 
CCE, P - Amadora 
CEEETA - PARTEX Cps, P - Lisbon 
CESEN S.pA, I - Genoa 
CORA c/o SEA, D - Saarbrucken 
COWIconsult, DK - Lyngby 
CRES, GR - Pikermi 
EAB, D - Berlin 
ECD, DK- Copenhagen 
ECOTEC, UK - Birmingham 
ENEA, l-S. Maria di Galeria Rome 
ETM Consortium, B - Brussels 
ETSU, UK-Harwell 
EUROPLAN, F - Antibes 
EVE, E - Bilbao 
FAST, I - Milan 
KFA/FIZ, D - Karlsruhe/Julich 
FORBAIRT, IR - Dublin 
Friedmann & Johnson-Consultants, D - Berlin 
GEP, F - Paris la Défense 
GOPA - Consultants, D - Bad Homburg 
ICAEN, E - Barcelona 
ICEU, D - Leipzig ICIE, I-Rome 
IDAE, E - Madrid 
IMPIVA, E - Valencia 
INETI/ITE, P - Lisbon 
INNOTEC, D - Berlin 
Institut Wallon-Energium 2000, B - Namur 
IRO, NL - Zoetermeer 
KEMA Nederland B.V., NL - Arnhem 
LDK, GR - Athens 
LUXCONTROL, L - Esch-sur-Alzette 
MARCH Consulting Group, UK - Manchester 
NIFES, UK - Glasgow 
Novem, NL - Sittard 
OCICARBON, E - Madrid 
PSTI, UK - Aberdeen 
RARE c/o RHONALPENERGIE, F - Lyons 
SODEAN, E - Seville 
SOGES S.p.A., I - Turin ~" 
SYNERGIA, GR - Athens 
TÙV RHEINLAND, D - Cologne 
UCD, IR - Dublin 
VLAAMSE THERMIE COÔRDINATIE, B - Mol 
Zre, D - Regensburg 
Z*5 
2/2 
European Community Energy Centres 
in Central and Eastern Europe 
Regional Energy Centres 
Bratislava Energy Centre, Slovakia 
Budapest Energy Centre, Hungary 
Kiev Energy Centre, Ukraine 
Minsk Energy Centre, Belarus 
Moscow Energy Centre, Russia 
Prague Energy Centre, Czech Republic 
Riga Energy Centre, Latvia 
St. Petersburg Energy Centre, Russia 
Sofia Energy Centre, Bulgaria 
Tallinn Energy Centre, Estonia 
Vilnius Energy Centre, Lithuania 
Warsaw Energy Centre, Poland 
Sectoral Energy Centres 
Elblag Energy Centre, Poland 
Katowice Energy Centre, Poland 
Tyumen Energy Centre, Russia 
3o 
THERMIE - ASSOCIATED MEASURES - Specific Actions 
Division by type of action Annex 5 
TYPE Number of 
actions Sum total 
granted 
(in Mécus) 
Audit 
Business Mission 
Conferences 
Exhibitions 
Publications/Maxi-
brochures 
Seminars 
Studies 
Training courses 
Targeted campaigns 
Video 
Visits 
Workshop 
Others 
TOTAL 37 
30 
24 
85 
236 
143 
255 
56 
4 
23 
11 
267 
14 
1 185 3.1 
2.6 
2.0 
7.2 
19.9 
12.1 
21.5 
4.7 
0.4 
1.9 
0.9 
22.5 
1.2 
100 1, 044 
11, 893 
0,752 
2,672 
7, 973 
8, 250 
10, 351 
1, 808 
0,339 
1, 312 
0,325 
9, 303 
0,368 
46, 390 2.2 
4.1 
1.6 
5.8 
17.2 
17.8 
22.3 
3.9 
0.7 
2.8 
0.7 
20.1 
0.8 
100 
"M 
Annex 6 
THERMIE - ASSOCIATED MEASURES 
Specific Actions 
Division by type and by sector and sums granted (1000 ecus) 
Number 
Audit 
Business Mission 
Conferences 
Exhibitions 
Publications/ 
Maxi-brochures 
Seminars 
Studies 
Training courses 
Targeted campaigns 
Videos 
Visits 
Workshops 
Others 
TOTAL RUE 
Number 
35 
13 
9 
32 
156 
99 
174 
51 
2 
13 
1 
181 
13 
779 Sum 
949 
529 
222 
761 
5215 
5023 
6877 
1702 
258 
791 
7 
6454 
338 
29126 RES 
Number 
1 
8 
8 
2 
47 
29 
60 
1 
2 
8 
2 
35 
1 
204 Sum 
65 
475 
323 
20 
1938 
2102 
2613 
42 
81 
450 
49 
1423 
30 
9611 Hydrocarbons 
Number 
2 
29 
11 
2 
14 
1 
1 
3 
34 
97 Sum 
78 
1223 
197 
139 
512 
9 
35 
98 
845 
3136 Solid fuels 
Number 
9 
4 
3 
20 
10 
6 
3 
1 
5 
13 
74 Sum 
889 
107 
147 
589 
672 
279 
55 
36 
171 
519 
3464 Mixed 
Number 
1 
1 
19 
2 
3 
1 
4 
31 Sum 
30 
22 
521 
34 
314 
70 
62 
1053 TOTAL 
Number 
37 
30 
24 
55 
236 
143 
255 
56 
4 
23 
11 
267 
14 
1185 Sum 
1044 
1893 
752 
2672 
7973 
8250 
10351 
1808 
339 
1312 
325 
9303 
368 
46390 
Annex 7 
Projects involving SMEs (contractors) 
Sector 
RUE 
RES 
Solid fuels 
Hydrocarbons 
SME Projects TOTAL 
THERMIE TOTAL Number of 
projects 
160 
185 
4 
95 
444 
726 % 
22.0 
25.5 
0.5 
13.1 
61.1 
100 Sums granted 
(in MECU) 
94 
85 
28 
53 
260 
574 % 
16.4 
14.8 
4.9 
9.2 
45.3 
100 
RUE : Rational Use of Energy 
RES : Renewable Energy Sources 
33 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THERMIE 
COHESION COUNTRIES Annex 8 
(in MECU) 
r SPAIN 
GREECE 
IRELAND 
PORTUGAL 
COHESION 
COUNTRIES 
EUR 12 
COHESION 
COUNTRIES/ 
EUR 12 RUE (1) 
Number of 
projects 
33 
12 
25 
11 
81 
259 
31.3% Financial 
support 
20.497 
4.929 
11.196 
7.411 
44.033 
171.780 
25.6% RES (2) 
Number of 
projects 
28 
10 
9 
10 
57 
272 
20.9% Financial 
support 
15.808 
3.229 
3.448 
5.333 
27.818 
159.416 
17.4% SOLID FUELS 
Number of 
projects 
9 
1 
-
10 
28 
35.7% Financial 
support 
71.522 
0.982 
-
-
72.504 
120.987 
59.9% HYDROCARBON 
S 
Number of 
projects 
2 
4 
1 
1 
8 
167 
4.8% Financial 
support 
0.444 
1.253 
0.477 
0.140 
2.314 
121.918 
1.9% TOTAL 
Number of 
projects 
72 
27 
35 
22 
156 
726 
21.5% Financial 
support 
108.271 
10.393 
15.121 
12.884 
146.669 
574.101 
25.5% COUNTRIES/EUR 12 
Number of 
projects 
9.9% 
3.7% . 
4.8% 
3.1% 
21.5% Financial 
support 
18.9% 
1.8% 
2.6% 
2.2% 
25.5% 
(1) RUE : Rational Use of Energy 
(2) RES : Renewable Energy Sources 
%^^sp$^ 
Projects involving the collaboration of contractors 
from different Member States 
RUE : Rational Use of Energy 
RES : Renewable Energy Sources Annex 9 
Sector 
RUE 
RES 
Solid fuels 
Hydrocarbons 
International Projects 
TOTAL 
THERMIE TOTAL Number of 
projects 
102 
90 
15 
46 
253 
726 % 
14.0 
12.2 
2.1 
6.3 
34.8 
100 Sums granted 
(in MECU) 
89 
86 
66 
39 
280 
574 % 
15.5 
15.0 
11.5 
6.8 
48.8 
100 
3-T 
Annex 10 
Ranking of the impacts of the associated measures on energy supply and demand 
Type of impact Ranking by importance 
of impact 
- Reducing energy demand 1 
- Strengthening the energy 2 
technology industry 
- Support for the cooperation 3 
of Member States 
- Promoting local, regional 4 
and national programmes 
- Improving diversification 5 
- Support for international 6 
industrial cooperation 
- Increasing supply 7 
- Strengthening the EU's 8 
supply base 
- Developing local sources of 9 
supply 
- Improving the security of 10 
supply 
3£ 
'#*** 
Annex 11 
Ranking of the impacts of the associated measures in regard to economic development 
and international cooperation 
Type of Impact 
Awareness of the importance of 
European cooperation 
Cooperation with the EU 
Cooperation with other MS 
Cooperation with third countries 
Assistance to SMEs 
Stimulation of innovation 
Promotion of efficient production 
Stimulation of employment 
Stimulation of investment Ranking 
1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 Magnitude of the impact 
High 
X 
X 
X 
X Medium 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X Low 
s^_ 
Annex 12 
RATIONAL USE OF ENERGY 
The THERMIE regulation of the programme sets out as primary objective to achieve 
substantial energy savings in three areas for project support: buildings, industry & energy 
industry and transport. 
Rational use of energy in buildings: 
Project Support: In the building sector, energy savings were required to be achieved by 
projects designed to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings, projects relating to 
new processes or products for heating and air-conditioning in new buildings and finally 
projects concerning new urban or district heating systems and the application of small-scale 
combined heat and power generation. The Call for Proposals specified the requirements of 
priority areas and foresaw mostly the support for new large commercial or public buildings 
or the retrofitting thereof. In 1993, particular emphasis was attributed to the building sector 
by asking for proposals for targeted projects leading to a substantial reduction in both energy 
consumption and CO^ and other pollutant emissions in large building stocks either of 
residential, commercialor public nature. Projects had to include: low energy design, optimised 
envelope material and components, integrated load management for heating, cooling, and 
electricity consumption; optimised HVAC equipment with efficient integration of renewable 
energy systems where possible. The outlined objectives where met by selecting 71 projects 
in total between 1990 and 1994 for a support of 31 MECU. With a view to targeted projects, 
4 projects have been supported. These projects, in the objectives of the Commission, are a 
first important step towards the creation of a critical mass able to influence important 
improvements in the Building sector, marked by a slow development and resistance to 
penetration of innovation. 
One important achievement is the demonstration that it is possible to save up to 50% of 
energy consumption through the integration of innovative technologies already available 
on the market and through a co-ordinated work of different actors like architects, engineers, 
equipment suppliers, etc, which normally work separately. It is foreseen in the future to 
extend this integrated approach to urban scale through the involvement of Local Authorities, 
and Urban Planners. 
Associated Measures: More than 200 actions have been carried out in the Building Sector. 
These include a number of seminars and training courses for Architects on Bioclimatic 
Architecture, which ave been carried out in all the countries of the EU In the area of Energy 
Efficient Lighting more than 25000 exemplars of publications have been produced and 
disseminated all over Europe. In the field of HVAC technologies, particular attention has 
been given to supporting actions with the involvement of the most important European 
Federations active in this area (for example installers and engineering consulting companies). 
In order to improve the awareness of the successful THERMIE projects, six newsletters, each 
addressing a particular type of building or technology (like housing, offices, CHP, ...etc.) have 
been disseminated to architects, engineers, developers,... etc amounting to 36000 exemplars. 
In addition to these specific actions, in the framework of the OPET general tasks, several 
advisory groups have been set up in order to provide advice to decision-makers onkey issues 
related to energy consumption in the Building sector. 
Rational use of energy in industry and in energy industry 
Project support: Similarly in industry, the scope for further energy savings remains 
considerable. In the first Call for Proposals from 1990 to 1992, emphasis was put on changes 
in manufacturing processes and equipment; the recycling of residual heat; the use of micro-
33 
electronic units to improve energy management; the agrofood industry and restriction of 
energy consumption caused by environmental protection measures. Heat recovery for 
production processes, industrial waste recovery and schemes for cold energy production using 
waste heat gained priority in the Call for Proposals of 1993 and 1994. In total 144 projects 
have been selected and benefited from about 85 MECU financial support. The different 
projects have contributed to answering the technology requirements of various specific market 
niches. In the case of the fuel cell technology, the projects funded by THERMIE have 
contributed to open new prospects in this promising market, particularly for the molten 
carbonate systems. Recognising the strategic interest of the European industry in this market, 
the Commission has recently developed a 10 years strategy which includes elements for both 
R&D and Demonstration work aimed at reducing the investment costs and at improving the 
reliability of the different fuel cell schemes by year 2005. 
In the energy industry, more effective methods of producing and using heat, reducing heat 
loss from motors, transformers and improved management of heating networks were the 
objectives laid down in the regulation. These were met by 11 projects between 1990 and 
1994, to which a support of about 10 MECU was allocated. 
Associated Measures: The main objectives within the industry sector was to analyse the 
feature and the potential of markets related to various sectors of industrial applications and 
for the application of specific technologies. Subsequently, and based on the market 
information obtained, the focus shifted towards dissemination of information. This 
dissemination was undertaken in Member States and in Third Countries and comprised a wide 
variety of types of activity. The strategy for dissemination was subject to continuous review 
within Marketing Groups, where Industrial and Professional Associations and independent 
experts co-operated to ensure the relevance of the activities undertaken. 
As far as cogeneration is concerned, the activity has taken place simultaneously with an 
important development of the market in the European Union. The associated measures 
undertaken in this field have contributed to show how it can be successfully applied to a 
number of manufacturing processes and services, and at the same time, to make the potential 
user aware of progress on legislation, regulatory and financial aspects. An important activity 
has also been developed for Eastern European where there is a big potential for converting 
heat only boilers systems to cogeneration systems in district heating, and for small 
decentralised cogeneration schemes. 
3<3 
Rational use of energy in transport: 
Project support: The regulation foresees a promotion of projects significantly improving the 
efficiency of vehicles or transport systems; optimising the use of urban infrastructure and 
improving traffic management and the efficient use of fuel by road vehicles. New types of 
traction systems gained priority in the 1994 Call for Proposals. Special attention was 
attributed in the 1993 Call for Proposals to targeted projects offering technical and economic 
improvements of the overall efficiency of urban public transport systems including traffic 
management and control techniques, advanced information for users, improved model 
interchange infrastructure combined with efficient public transport vehicle fleets and measures 
to promote a shift from private to public transport. Considering that this sector accounts for 
an increasing share of energy end use and gaseous emissions (32% of EC final demand), one 
important objective of the 3 Targeted Projects is to contribute to reducing environmental 
pollution in urban areas where 80% of EU citizens live. Another major goal is to set some 
common requirements and technical specifications for transport systems, their operating 
standards and the associated procurement procedures. The definition of common needs at 
European level should act as an incentive for equipment suppliers who will have a large 
single market for their products and services. Equally, this should create a wider pool of 
suppliers for cities, reducing equipment costs and improving quality. 
Associated Measures: Accompanying and reinforcing the overall strategy for project support, 
the dissemination activities within the transport sector aimed at the promotion of the use of 
new and efficient technologies covering urban transport management, traffic control in order 
to increase the modal shift towards public transport systems and thus environmental as well 
as micro- and macroeconomic benefits. One important objective was the establishment of 
links among cities of different EU countries which face common problems (such as 
congestion, pollution,...etc.), and foster the exchange of experiences based on the THERMIE 
projects. This was achieved through a number of seminars which took place in one city of 
each Member State. The programme focused on medium sized cities. There are more than 300 
cities of similar size in the Member States, therefore the potential for replication of effective 
transport strategies for clean and efficient technologies is large. In order to provide Planners 
and Local Authorities in urban areas with specific information about mobility of people at 
scale of urban areas, it has been set up a database called "Mobiles". This database will help 
responsible for urban traffic management to perform comparative analysis among their 
experience and the experience of other towns. 
M° 
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES 
Switching from the use of fossil fuels to renewable sources is a major option for ensuring 
sustainable development, especially by contributing to the diversification of supply and to the 
reduction of harmful emissions into the atmosphere. However, such technologies face 
important commercial barriers. The challenge for THERMIE was to encourage the penetration 
of these technologies into the EC markets and abroad. 
In order to achieve this objective, the THERMIE regulation provided financial support for 
demonstration/dissemination projects in 5 subsectors: solar energy (thermal and photovoltaic 
applications), energy from biomass and waste, geothermal energy, small-scale hydro-electric 
energy and wind energy. 
Solar energy: thermal and photovoltaic applications 
Project Support: Requirements for thermal applications of solar energy focused on active 
and/or passive conversion processes located in buildings, industry and agriculture, while 
photovoltaic processes were aimed at supplying electricity at acceptable costs in remote areas 
for dwellings, water pumping, telecommunications and other similar installations. Grid 
connected installations were also favoured. In 1993 and 1994, thermal applications dealt with 
active solar energy systems for the production of large quantities of hot water for 
heating/cooling, as well as the production of large quantities of hot air for ventilation/drying. 
These requirements were met by the selection of 34 solar thermal projects and 73 photovoltaic 
projects which were granted 9 MECU and 26 MECU respectively, during the 1990-94 period. 
For photovoltaic applications, during the 1990-1994 period, besides a number of projects for 
remote applications which constitute the first natural market for these types of technologies, 
it is worth to mention an increasing number of grid-connected applications, such as solar 
roofs, which paved the way for a future large size PV market. Equally significant in this 
context are the PV power plants such as the 1 MW grid connected PV power plant in Toledo, 
Spain, resulting from the collaboration of three large European utility companies. 
For solar thermal as well as for photovoltaics applications, another important feature is the 
focus on "guarantee of results" which can overcome the possible lack of consumers 
confidence in the reliability of solar systems. 
Associated measures: As for the other renewable energy sources, the most important criteria 
governing the implementation of associated measures in RES were: efficient dissemination 
at the local level close to the final consumers or actors (including the local authorities), 
reinforcement of the links with industry and professional associations (notably through so-
called "marketing groups" which gave advises on priorities for further associated measures), 
greater accent on financial aspects, synergy and complementarity with other programmes and 
the implementation of actions in a particular sub-sector according to a logical pathway: 
starting from market studies, going through general seminars followed by smaller size 
workshops, and then continuing by other types of measures which can run in parallel: 
publications, video, study tour, business mission ,training. 
In this general context, a significant number (approx. 15%) of associated measures were 
dealing with RES considered altogether instead of with one particular renewable source. 
In the sectors of solar thermal and photovoltaic applications, during the period 1990-1994, 
besides the reinforcement of links with professional associations, the accent has been put on 
dissemination of high quality information through publications, video, TV campaign as well 
as on the importance of a good architectural integration of solar technologies in buildings. 
M\ 
Energy front biomass and waste: 
Project Support: For the biomass sector, the applications addressed the direct or indirect use 
of biomass and différent types of waste (except those associated to coal and related solid 
fuels) as well as the production of biomass for energy purposes. Various priorities were set 
out in the 1992, 1993 and 1994 Calls for Proposals such as the production and use of energy 
from energy crops and short rotation forestry, the production and use of biofuels for transport, 
recovery and use of landfill gas, etc. 
A total of 50 projects were selected for a global grant of 62.5 MECU. Worth to mention here 
are the 3 targeted projects selected in 1994 for a combined support of 21 MECU. They 
concern the production of electricity or CHP in a combined cycle in the range 10 MWe by 
fluidised bed gasification of short rotation forestry based biomass. This topic is considered 
as offering a good and large potential for the future. 
Associated measures: They were mainly belonging to two sub-sectors: 
- various measures on energy from wood and wood wastes, which represent a large energy 
potential among all RES (publications such as a catalogue on wood fuel equipment and 
actors, videos for local authorities and industry, seminars on electricity and heat production 
from wood and wood waste, etc.) 
- different measures associated to energy valorisation of (mainly urban) wastes: events and 
publication linked to Municipal Solid Waste treatment, seminars plus study tour and 
publication on energy efficiency in sewage plants and energy valorisation of sewage 
sludge, etc. 
HZ 
Geothermal energy: 
Project Support: A total of 26 projects were supported under THERMIE, for a total support 
of 15.1 MECU. Geothermal energy proposals were not accepted in the 1990 or 1993 Calls. 
In terms of applications, the vast majority of projects (about 55%) are concerned with low 
enthalpy direct heating, whether for district heating, greenhouse cultivation or aquaculture, 
or a combination of these. There were, however, two major projects on electricity generation, 
one in the Azores islands and one in Italy's Lazio region. 
Associated measures: In the geothermal energy sector, the technical objectives focused on the 
dissemination of information (with particular focus on Central Europe) on best-available-
technologies for the drilling, extraction, treatment and reinjection of geothermal waters. For 
non technical aspects, the emphasis ,was given to the intensification of the collaboration with 
industrial and professional associations considered as being crucial. 
Hydro-electric energy: 
Project Support: In this subsector, 37 projects were accepted for a total support of just over 
13 MECU - as in the case of geothermal energy, Small Hydro projects were not accepted in 
1990 or 1993. 
A number of projects concerned the refurbishment or updating of abandoned or existing 
plants, generally through the application of improved turbines and control systems. Other 
innovations included submersible turbines (including oil-free runners), fibre optic links for 
remote control, and the recovery of energy from water supply or sewage treatment flows. 
Associated measures: The main technical objectives in this area were devoted to the 
dissemination of information on the development of small hydro for particular market 
segment (refurbishment of old sites, low-head sites), as well as for particular regions, 
especially the PECOs. Close collaboration with related industrial and professional assoiations 
was considered crucial. 
Wind energy: 
Project Support: A total of 34,2 MECU was given in support of 52 projects. Two main trends 
can be discerned in the wind energy subsector, both of which have contributed to reducing 
the unit cost of wind-generated electricity, namely: the large number (26) of Dissemination 
projects supported by THERMIE, (except in 1994 when they were excluded) for the erection 
of wind farms; and the steady evolution in wind turbine size and efficiency, achieved thanks 
largely to THERMIE support. In 1994 in particular, THERMIE supported a number of 
innovative large wind turbines, including one of 1 MW, and two other designs of 800 kW. 
Associated measures: In addition to studies (notably on the potential of wind energy 
technologies in Eastern countries), publications (e.g. the European Wind Turbines catalogue) 
and video, the main objectives in this sector were oriented to co-operation with professional 
associations, siting, financing and public acceptance. Moreover, great importance was given 
to grid interaction and connection. 
V3 
HYDROCARBONS 
Project support: The primary objective with respect to hydrocarbon projects is to ensure the 
optimal exploitation of existing reserves and to secure supplies of hydrocarbons at reasonable 
price. These projects have the aim to develop techniques, tools and processes designed to 
improve the efficiency of operations, reduce costs and increase the safety of equipment and 
personnel while offering environmentally appropriate solutions. The THERMIE regulation 
groups the technologies eligible for financial support into 4 categories: exploration, 
production, transport and storage. 
• Exploration: In the area of exploration priorities are set by the regulation for prospecting 
of basins in order to locate reservoirs, increase of knowledge of oil deposits and drilling 
cost reductions. 
• Production: The priorities for production technologies cover processes for improving the 
rate of oil recovery; monitoring methods; offshore production plants; submarine 
production systems; production equipment and submarine operating equipment. The 1991 
and 1992 Call for Proposals highlighted processes for improving the rate of recovery; 
monitoring of the reservoir development; the safety and decommissioning of fixed 
platforms, systems for bringing marginal fields into production and submarine production. 
The 1993 and 1994 Call for Proposals focused in addition strongly on the improvement 
of safety through robotics, control systems, inspection equipment and risk identification 
and on environmental protection. 
• Transport. Eligible projects are expected to include techniques and processes for 
transporting processed flow by pipeline and by slip including loading installations. 
• Storage: Installations and processes for storage of fluid products connected with 
production operations, particularly in offshore exploration. 
• In order to meet these objectives, a total of 167 projects were supported between 1990 
and 1994; whereas the majority of projects focused on production technologies (more than 
50%). 
The difficulties of locating and exploiting smaller oil and gas accumulations in the North Sea 
and Mediterranean provinces have led to the development of several new exploration and 
production techniques: 
• 3-D seismic acquisition and reservoir modelling software 
• horizontal drilling 
• multiphase flow technology with specific subsea applications 
• flexible flow lines in combination with tension leg platforms. 
Associated Measures: The principle aim for the hydrocarbon sector were set out as 
dissemination of information to target groups within the oil & gas industry in order to support 
an optimisation of exploitation of reserves, to encourage the EU industry to approach new 
markets in oil and gas producing countries and to ensure environmental protection. 
The main achievements in this sector can be summarised as follows: 
• participation in the most important oil and gas trade shows related to offshore technology 
world-wide: the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston with more and more success 
for THERMIE contractors and SMEs, and also Offshore Northern Sea alternatively in 
Aberdeen or Stavanger, Holland Offshore in Amsterdam, .and more recently Offshore 
South East Asia in Singapore, 
• organisation of several important specific actions in Russia with contribution from the EC 
Energy Centre Tyumen and the main OPETs involved in the hydrocarbons sector: 
participation in the 2nd Oil and Gas Exhibition Tyumen'94, several workshops on EU 
WW 
technologies as applied to needs of the Siberian industry, business missions and a series 
of training courses for 120 Russian geologists and reservoir engineers, 
approach of the Chinese oil and gas industry in the wake of the EU-China Energy Industry 
Conference through several technical workshops. 
HS 
SOLID FUELS 
Project Support: Coal and other solid fuels remain a major energy source available to the 
Union. However, with today's increasingly stringent environmental requirements, it is 
necessary to develop and demonstrate technologies using coal cleanly. The aim of THERMIE 
in the solid fuels sector is the reduction of emissions of CO2, SO2, NOx and particulates 
from combustion processes and the improvement of the treatment of ash waste. To meet these 
objectives, the THERMIE regulation identified four priority areas: combustion, conversion, 
waste treatment, gasification integrated with a combined gas/steam cycle. 
• Combustion: the THERMIE regulation focused on new or improved clean combustion 
methods and the clean combustion of waste resulting from the processing of solid fuels. 
• Conversion: priority was given to the conversion of solid fuels into gaseous or liquid 
energy products which would, from the economic and technical points of view, improve 
the Community's energy supply by reducing the importation of hydrocarbons. 
• Waste: the emphasis was set on the use, treatment or enhancement of gaseous, liquid, and 
solid wastes resulting from the use of solid fuels. The 1994 Call for Proposals extended 
this area to the use of carbonaceous material in combination with coal lignite or peat. 
• Gasification integrated with a combined gas/steam cycle: were considered as eligible the 
projects designed to produce electricity in a module consisting of a gasifier producing a 
gas which is burned directly in a gas turbine and a thermodynamic steam cycle. These 
projects had to use totally new configurations. 
In order to fulfil the above-mentioned objectives, during the 1990-94 period, 28 projects were 
supported in the solid fuels sector for a total amount of 122 MECU, among which the 
targeted project related to the IGCC power plant at Puertollano. The IGCC technology is 
very promising and independently of the expected results, the Puertollano Project an excellent 
example for European collaboration and communication. 
The replication potential of THERMIE solid fuels projects is expected to be very high but it 
is still too early for them to be replicated. However, the Fluidised Bed Combustion (FBC) 
technologies are already being replicated worldwide , notably the 'THERMIE Gardanne 
Circulating FBC Project' is a replication at the scale of 250 MWe of the 'Parling Project (125 
MWe)\ 
In terms of emission reduction, in general an increase in efficiency of 15% average means 
roughly a 15% decrease in CQ2 emissions. Assuming an increase of the share for steam and 
power generation plants to 5% for IGCC and 15% for FBC technologies by the year 2005, 
the following results could be achieved: 
SO2: 95% abatement of present emissions. 
NOx: 80-95% abatement of present emissions. 
CO2: 2% abatement due to FBC and 1% due to IGCC (without CO2 separation devices). 
Associated measures: Utilities are generally very cautious when introducing new technologies 
thus appropriate instruments need be found to facilitate wider dissemination. The main general 
objective of promotional actions within the EU was the dissemination of information on clean 
and efficient solid fuels combustion. In third countries, dissemination activities were aimed 
at promoting a major use of solid fuels in industrial boilers and district heating, especially 
retrofitting and low cost technologies. 
vf6 
Annex 13 
Rational Use of Energy - Examples for project support 
Buildings: BU/1041/93 and BU/1041/94 Energy Comfort 2000 
Energy Comfort 2000, a major targeted project involving one firm from each of the UK, Netherlands, 
Germany and Denmark aims to demonstrate how energy savings of up to 50% can be achieved in 
commercial and public buildings by adopting an integrated design approach. The concept depends on 
the building itself being exploited to make maximum use of passive and active solar energy, daylight 
and ventilation and cooling systems. Horizontal measures such as design workshops will ensure co­
ordination between the projects and facilitate full utilisation of the collaborators' different skills. 
THERMIE contribution: 3.5 MECU Expected energy savings/production: 1,150 TOE/y 
Industry: EN/510/93 Optimisation and management of energy sources in textile industry 
A Portuguese textile factory, in collaboration with an Italian company, expects to save 10% of its fuel 
costs by capturing and treating waste heat from the drying process; this saving will also benefit the 
environment by reducing emission levels. A new unit will capture the hot fumes from the drying 
chambers and recover heat for recycling to the chambers, with the excess fed into a distribution 
network supplying other parts of the factory. The heat recovery will use electrostatic filters to break 
down some of the polluting emissions created by the factory processes. The project will incorporate 
continuos monitoring and management of the heat recovery plant, the cogeneration unit and various 
heat pumps employed on the site. This will ensure that the factory's energy needs are met as efficiently 
and cost-effectively as possible. 
THERMIE contribution: 0.15 MECU Expected energy savings: 600 TOE/y 
Transport: TR/519/94 Compressed Natural Gas Powered buses for Berlin City Centre 
The Senate of Berlin, with the help of a Belgium company intend to run a small fleet of natural gas-
powered buses. The aim of this dissemination project is to provide valuable evidence on the efficiency 
and economic viability of using natural gas rather than diesel for city bus systems. The project entails 
the purchase of 10 compressed natural gas (CNG) powered buses including the necessary equipment 
and installations and the construction of a fuelling station? The emissions of the CNG engine are well 
below EU emission limits already set for the end of the decade. A number of parameters will be 
monitored in detail: the energy and environmental effects of the buses, the cost and economic 
efficiency, the acceptability to passengers and staff and the maintenance and operational properties of 
the system. The project proposers have already set up co-operation procedures with projects which 
already use CNG and dual-fuel buses and with other European cities who are interested in developing 
similar bus systems. 
THERMIE contribution: 0.8 MECU Expected energy savings: 166 TOE/y 
Rational Use of Energy - Examples for Associated Measures 
Industry: 
• 'Cogeneration '92, to '95': Two international conferences partly supported by THERMIE covering 
the technological, regulatoiy and economic framework for cogeneration bringing Together 
technology providers and users; 
• 'Textiles newsletter': Prepared jointly with EURATEX, the European textile association, containing 
information on THERMIE projects, research projects and other activities in the sector disseminated 
by national associations to textile manufacturers including SMEs. 
Building: 
• 'Training courses': Targeted to architects and promoting bioclimatic architecture, these two-days 
training course was carried out in almost all European capitals. A large number of architects 
were addressed and actively involved through the establishment of real case studies. 
The listing of the projects presented hereafter should be only considered as examples of THERMIE 
project support which are cited out of a wide range of projects and do not claim to be the most 
representative. 
"\\ 
Renewable Energy Sources - Examples for Project Support 
Wind energy: WE/119/94 Wind turbines for all sites, all winds, all weather 
Demonstration of a versatile and competitive 25 kW wind turbine aims to show its suitability 
for use in all sites, all winds and all weathers. In this innovative THERMIE project, the 
manufacturer expects to achieve an improvement in performance including a significant 
reduction in the cost of the electricity generated. Up to now, the French Aero watt Vergnet 
inertial regulation technology has only been proven for smaller turbines in the 2-12 kW range. 
The construction of a larger turbine will involve the incorporation of several new elements, 
such as carbon fibre blades, a new concept for the nacelle and a less noisy and more reliable 
design for the mounting. The turbine should be able to operate at wind speeds up to 110 
metres-per-second and in all weathers. By doubling the power of the existing turbine, the 
project promoter hopes to show that the new turbine can produce electricity at 0.1 ECU per 
kWh, a 20% improvement on the existing costs. Moreover, the technology will be particularly 
suitable for remote areas, where the infrastructure is poor. The new turbine could, for 
example, be utilised in conjunction with a diesel grid or for strengthening the power at the 
end of a low tension line. Although market interest in wind turbines has been dominated by 
the larger capacity technology, the promoter believes there is an important opportunity for 
low-cost reliable individual turbines. 
THERMIE contribution: 76.280 ECU 
Biomass: BM/496/93 Fruit and nut waste fuel combined cycle generation 
Fruit and nut wastes collected in central and southern Italy will be used to fuel a 
demonstration plant producing electricity for the grid and heat for on-site industrial processes. 
The three proposers of this biomass project - from Italy, Spain and the Netherlands - will 
build on results of earlier feasibility studies and component tests. It involves the design and 
construction of a complete industrial complex incorporating the following elements: a centre 
for the collection, treatment, drying, grinding and storage of shells and stones from fruit and 
nut processing industries; a waste heat boiler with fluidised bed combustion; a gas cleaning 
system; an 11.4 MW turbo-generator; a heat condenser; and a waste treatment and disposal 
unit. The construction of hi-tech greenhouses to use the heat is also envisaged. Overall 
thermal and electrical efficiency is expected.to reach 82%. Once the economic viability of this 
industrial-scale complex has been proven, the promoters believe it could be replicated widely 
in the Union. Moreover, the technology could be equally well adapted to the other agro-
industrial wastes, such as olive stones and chips from forestry works. 
THERMIE contribution: 2.1 MECU Expected energy production: 39,400 MWh/y 
Solar energy: SE/168/93 Solar panels on residential roofs linked to electricity grid 
Demonstration of a system linking photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on domestic roofs to the 
local electricity grid could lead to the large-scale introduction of PV technology. Companies 
from Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy are working together to design and install 
an integrated 250 kW PV system using the roofs of 100 houses being built in a new city 
district of Amsterdam. Owners of the property will be compensated for use of their roofs. An 
important objective is to forge links leading to future co-operation between building 
companies, local utilities which operate distribution networks, town planners and PV 
manufacturers. Such links are essential if large-scale PV systems are to be considered and 
accepted in new urban building projects. The project also aims to demonstrate the safety of 
these systems to the public and to local authorities. A detailed final report, a user-friendly 
handbook, and a workshop for European research institutes are among the dissemination 
schemes already planned. Replication of the results will also be ensured by the participation 
of organisations from several Member States, and by the involvement of three cities -
Copenhagen, Madrid and Genoa - which will be able to gain early experience of the 
technology before making large investments. 
THERMIE contribution: 1 MECU Expected energy production: 225,000 KWh 
HS 
Renewable Energy Sources - Examples for Associated Measures 
'A strategy for the Promotion of Renewable Energy Technologies to Local Authorities': 
Having identified local and regional authorities as key actors and decision makers in the 
field of renewable energy technology applications, the activity was aimed at assessing the 
particular characteristics and needs (information, training etc.) of the sector. This EU-wide 
study led to several follow-up actions: a major seminar (Greece, June 1994), study tours, 
maxi-brochures, guides etc.. 
'Renewable Energy Yearbook?: Conceived as a technical promotional tool aimed at a broad 
spectrum of decision makers, the yearbook presents 100 outstanding RET projects in an 
attractive, reader-friendly presentation, which can be up-dated and expanded in the future. 
'Renewable Energy Journal (Quarterly newsletters/: Over the period 1993-1995, the 
Journal presented concise information and news on all major developments and events 
in RES/RET to a wide audience. 
V9 
Hydrocarbons - Examples for Project Support 
OG/168/91 Cable sawing and cutting system for decommissioning 
The diverless cable sawing and cutting system has been developed by two companies from 
France and Belgium to bring to the offshore oil and civil engineering markets a new product 
which can perform cutting tasks on very large wall thickness materials, such as sandwich 
composites and reinforced concrete, which are often found when decommissioning subsea 
structures. The system is fully controlled from the surface, with a Remote Operation Vehicle 
(ROV), and uses a diamond beaded cable as a cutting device. To date, this technique has 
mainly been used in quarry stone cutting, but has not been adapted for the offshore industry 
as such or more particularly for an underwater environment. The system has been already 
successfully tested and is capable of cutting multiwall coated pipelines of up to 40 inch 
diameter and 54 inch pile with a 2.5 inch wall thickness both in 16 hours. The technique 
should be of particular interest for pipeline and platform decommissioning, pipeline repairs 
and other civil engineering markets. It offers these industries a new means of performing 
cutting tasks more safely and more efficiently than existing methods. 
THERMIE contribution. 0.7 MECU 
Hydrocarbons - Examples for Associated Measures 
• 'Participation in oil & gas trade shows': On world-wide level the promotion of European 
offshore technologies (Offshore Technology Conference/Houston; Offshore Northern 
Sea/Aberdeen-Stavanger; Offshore South East Asia/Singapore, Oil & Gas Exhibition/ 
Tyumen) 
• 'Technical workshops on innovative technologies': Slim-hole drilling/Paris; Multiphase 
Flow Modelling/Aberdeen; New Technologies for the development of marginal 
fields/Athens; Platform Decommissioning/Houston. 
Solid Fuels - Examples for Project Support 
335 MWe Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Power Plant: 
SF/337/91, SF/198/92, SF/422/93, SF/2/94: 
At Puertollano (Spain), the world's largest Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) 
power plant is being built with the financial support of the THERMIE Programme. For the 
implementation of the project, major electricity companies from France, Germany, Italy, 
Portugal, Spain and the UK have formed a consortium, ELCOGAS, in order to share their 
experience and expertise and their resources, risks and rewards. 
IGCC represents the most promising technology for clean electricity production from coal. 
Compared to conventional plants, coal consumption can be cut by 30% and C02 emissions 
can be reduced by 25%. The most innovative aspect of the IGCC technology is the integration 
of a coal gasification process into a combined cycle power plant. Combined cycle power 
plants have both gas and steam turbine generators and have increased overall plant efficiency 
when compared to conventional technologies. In the past, they Jiave been successful using 
natural gas as primary fuel. The IGCC technology now allows coal to be used whilst at the 
same time bringing S02 and NOx emissions down to almost zero. 
Solid Fuels - Examples for Associated Measures 
• 'Lecture series on clean coal technologies': In different countries of the EU organised in 
the course of 1994, these seminars attracted high interest by both academic and industrial 
sectors. Thus, a follow-up has been conducted in 1995 at European universities including 
municipal and regional utilities. 
• 'Seminar for third countries' engineers': In 1993, training seminars were organised for 
Polish engineers on cement, iron and steel industries consuming solid fuels. Due to the 
clear success achieved, the seminar was replicated 1994 in Poland, and for Czech and 
Slovak engineers in 1995. 
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