21.3.91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 76/9 
Amendment to the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research and techno­
logical development programme in the field of non-nuclear energies (1991 to 1994) (') 
(91/C 76/06) 
COM(91) 50 final — SYN 269 
(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 149(3) of the EEC Treaty on 8 March 1991) 
Recital 3 a 
(new) 
Whereas fundamental research must be specifically 
encouraged Community-wide in each of the strategic 
research sectors of the framework programme; 
Recital 3b 
(new) 
Whereas, in addition to the specific programme on 
human capital and mobility, training of researchers in 
each of the strategic research sectors of the framework 
programme must be ensured; 
Sixth recital 
Whereas this programme must be implemented essen­
tially by the selection of research and development 
projects to enable them to benefit from Community 
participation; whereas the Commission should encourage 
the submission of such projects by the usual means of 
publishing calls for proposals in the Official Journal of the 
European Communities; whereas an exceptional 
procedure should also be devised to come into effect 
between calls for proposals so as to maintain a degree of 
flexibility enabling the Commission, in the face of the 
continuous evolution and gradual acceleration of techno­
logical progress, also to take into consideration spon­
taneous proposals consistent with the objectives of the 
programme; 
Recital 10a 
(new) 
Whereas the R & D activities under this programme are 
upstream of the projects backed by the programme for 
the promotion of energy technology in Europe 
(Thermie); whereas such projects are eligible for 
financial support only where the R&D stage has for the 
main part been completed; whereas implementation of 
these two programmes therefore needs to be closely 
coordinated; 
(') OJ No C 174, 16. 7. 1990, p. 77. Article 1 
A specific research and technological development 
programme for the European Economic Community in 
the field of non-nuclear energies, as defined in Annex I, 
is hereby adopted for the period from the date of publi­
cation of this decision in the Official Journal of the 
European Communities to 31 December 1994. 
Article 5 (3) 
3. The reports shall be drawn up having regard to the 
objectives set out in Annex I to this decision, in 
accordance with Article 2 (4) of Decision 90/221/ 
Euratom, EEC and shall assess the coherence of the 
programme's measurable implementation with the six 
major concerns set out in Annex II to Council Decision 
90/221/Euratom, EEC. 
Article 6 
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the 
execution of the programme. It shall be assisted by an 
advisory committee, hereinafter referred to as 'the 
Committee', composed of representatives of the Member 
States, and chaired by a representative of the 
Commission. 
2. The contracts concluded by the Commission shall 
govern the rights and obligation of each party, including 
the procedures for disseminating, protecting and 
exploiting the research results, in accordance with the 
arrangements adopted pursuant to the second paragraph 
of Article 130k of the Treaty and, where appropriate, 
procedures for training and evaluation. 
3. A work programme shall be drawn up at the start 
of the programme and shall be regularly revised. It shall 
set out the detailed objectives and types of projects to be 
undertaken and the financial arrangements to be made 
for them. The Commission shall make calls for proposals 
for projects on the basis of the work programme. 
No C 76/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 3. 91 
Article 6 (3a) 
(new) 
3a. An annual progress report outlining programme 
developments and achievements will be prepared by the 
Commission for transmission to the Council and the 
European Parliament. 
Article 8 
The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply to: 
— the preparation and updating of the work programme 
referred to in Article 6 (3), 
— the contents of calls for proposals, referred to in 
Annex III, 
— evaluation of the projects referred to in point 2 of 
Annex III, as well as the estimated amount of the 
Community's financial contribution when these 
projects are submitted through the ordinary 
procedure referred to in point 4 of Annex III and the 
abovementioned amount is more than ECU 5 million, 
— the participation in any project by non-Community 
organizations and enterprises referred to in Article 
10, 
— any adaptation of the indicative breakdown of funds 
set out in Annex II, 
— the measures to be undertaken to evaluate the 
programme and those projects submitted through the 
exceptional procedure, — accompanying measures and arrangements for the 
dissemination, protection and exploitation of the 
results of the research, for encouraging fundamental 
research, training of researchers and technological 
assessment carried out under the programme, 
— concerted actions referred to in point 2 of Annex III. 
Article 10 
Where cooperation with third countries and international 
organizations aiming at achieving the objectives of this 
programme requires legal undertakings between the 
Community and the third parties concerned, the 
Commission shall be . authorized to negotiate, in 
accordance with Article 130n of the treaty, international 
agreements laying down the terms for such cooperation. 
Priority will also be given to cooperation with EFTA 
countries groupings and other European countries not 
members of the European Community and in accordance 
with the guidelines agreed between the Council and the 
European Parliament during the conciliation procedure 
which had preceded the adoption of the third 
Framework Programme. 
The negotiations for such international agreements may 
only be initiated with third countries which are already 
signatories of a Cooperation Agreement with the 
Community which explicitly cites research and techno­
logical development or scientific progress as one of the 
objectives of cooperation. 
Decisions on the conclusion of such international 
agreements shall be adopted in accordance with the 
procedure referred to in Article 130q (2) of the Treaty. 
21. 3. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 76/11 
ANNEX I 
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES AND CONTENT 
Introduction, third paragraph 
Research into modelling is a horizontal research area which will be carried out to improve control over the 
processes involved and to enable technological strategies to be assessed. 
Area 1, second paragraph 
Models will be used to assess the strategic role of energy efficiency at demand and supply level and 
renewables towards a reduction of the damaging effect of energy production and utilization on the envi­
ronment, emphasis being put on greenhouse gas emissions, in particular CO2. Energy policy options taking 
into account different scenarios of CO2 constraints will be made available. A worldwide dimension will be 
included in the analyses carried out in this field, since third countries and, particularly, the countries of 
Eastern Europe will play an increasingly significant role in environmental problems and the greenhouse 
effect. 
Area 2, first paragraph 
Developing and extending the actions already undertaken within the context of the Joule programme, this 
research aims at optimizing energy production from fossil sources and at reducing the adverse effects on 
the environment from the widespread use of fossil fuels. Two main lines of activities are planned, firstly in 
the fields of advanced technologies for energy production and secondly in removal and fixation of CO2, 
and the development of combustion models. Technico-economic evaluation of the several possible routes 
and an assessment of the effects on the environment and consequent measures to reduce them will be 
performed in parallel with development of geophysical methods and tools. On the basis of the outcome of 
these technico-economic evaluations, further experimental work will be performed on the more promising 
high efficiency power producing systems with C02 capture and on CO2 disposal. 
Area 2, second paragraph 
The objective is to increase the efficiency of energy production from fossil sources, by means of advanced 
technologies. The work, both theoretical and experimental, will establish the technical feasibility and the 
costs — cost per unit kWh produced, capital cost — of these advanced technologies. The work will 
contribute to the development of high-efficiency multicycle conversion systems including fluidized bed 
combustion systems for electricity production from fossil fuels with a potential efficiency of 50 % or more, 
as compared to the present 38 % level, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions per kWh produced 
and to compensate for energy losses and expenses related to minimum emission measures. For this purpose 
the development of fossil fuel combustion with oxygen and CO2 recirculation will be studied because of its 
potential impact on efficiency and on the limitation of emissions. 
Area 2, third paragraph 
The objective is to reduce emissions through the capture and stable disposal of pollutants. This work 
comprises two elements: first, technico-economic evaluations, modelling studies and related engineering 
studies for minimizing emissions in fossil fuelled power production systems and in methanol and hydrogen 
production from fossil fuels. This work could also be relevant to R & D on appropriate techniques which 
are used to reduce emissions from fossil fuelled power stations and from oil refineries. Second, the devel­
opment of safe and stable geological disposal for CO2 in new reservoirs, as well as in spent or operating oil 
and gas fields. This will entail research on the interaction of C02 with mineral materials in the geological 
No C 76/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 3. 91 
sites. C02 storage in the ocean depth and the problems of siting large energy plants on the basis of the 
possibility of COj storage, recycling and processing will also be studied. In support of this part of the 
programme, advanced geophysical methods and tools will be developed for C02 storage assessment, 
hydrocarbons prospection and reservoir engineering. Scrubbing, absorption or other methods to separate 
CO2 from flue gases with subsequent fixation of CO2 will also be studied. 
Area 2, paragraph 3a 
(new) 
Research and development actions in the field of hydrocarbons will be continued, focusing on technologies 
for the discovery, appraisal and exploitation of new fields and on the final use of fuels. 
Area 3, first paragraph 
The aim is to accelerate technological readiness and to prepare for early market integration of all the most 
promising technical options. Within a global system approach, particular objectives are to increase the 
conversion efficiency of solar, wind, hydraulic, wave-power, tidal, biomass and geothermal systems, 
decrease their costs and improve their attractiveness to developers, industry and consumers. 
Area 3, second paragraph 
The objective is to contribute to solar design concepts and photovoltaic integration for new and old 
dwellings and buildings. Research will aim at maximizing the use of solar radiation and ambient heat for 
heating and power in such buildings, offering improved living and/or working conditions to the occupants, 
and employing modular and cost-effective building elements, using either new materials or traditional 
materials. 
Area 3, third paragraph 
Emphasis will be on the further development of solar components, heat storage devices and concepts, and 
the development and integration of photovoltaic cells and modules. Design concepts and pilot systems will 
be developed as part of a broad attempt to stimulate solar architecture in new and retrofitted buildings and 
the utilization of new technologies in architecture at large, the proposal for standardizations to be incor­
porated into building and town planning regulations. 
Area 3, fourth paragraph 
The objective is to develop renewable energies for future large-scale applications in electric utility systems, 
such as the development of grid-connected solar power plants, wind generators, wave power systems, tidal 
power schemes, small hydro power systems and cogeneration plants for heat and power based on biofuels 
and organic waste, including environmentally acceptable and safe storage and back-up systems, e.g. solar 
hydrogen. 
Area 3, fifth paragraph 
Research will be carried out on the optimization in size and technology of large wind generators in the 
MW-range, in order to effect further cost reduction. This will include work on new materials and 
components, e.g. composite blades, design criteria and eventually a set of new pilot systems suitable for 
large-scale utilization on land and off-shore. A comparative assessment will be carried out of the costs, 
efficiency and environmental impact of the two different families of large wind generators (over 1 MW). 
21. 3. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 76/13 
Area 3, sixth paragraph 
Research aimed at optimizing grid-connected photovoltaic systems and the associated components will be 
carried out. Emphasis will be on further improvement of the efficiency and cost of solar cells. Work on 
solar thermal power, wave power and tidal schemes will be carried out in such a way as to allow the 
enormous potential of these energy sources to be harnessed as soon as possible. Analysis work will be 
devoted to the combined use of the various renewable power systems in future utility systems. 
Area 3, paragraph 7a 
(new) 
Biomass 
The objective is to promote the development of energy from biomass through perfecting techniques for its 
production, conversion and utilization and including the testing of stand-alone regional power stations. 
Coordination with actions carried out under the specific programme for research in the field of agriculture 
and agro-industry will be ensured through integrated projects combining the objectives of both 
programmes, and agreed by the respective advisory committees. 
Area 3, eighth paragraph 
The main objective is the selection of a test site and the subsequent development of a single European 
prototype hot dry rock system; following site selection and subject to satisfactory evaluation of results, the 
major task will be the creation and management of an artificial reservoir based on the pattern of natural 
fractures in the basement rock. Scientific studies will focus on fracture location, reservoir development and 
management and water-rock interactions. 
Area 3, tenth paragraph 
In addition, the deep geology of Europe will be studied in order to obtain a better understanding of the 
processes which have led to the development of geothermal and hydrocarbon reservoirs. Seismic reflection 
and electromagnetic surveys will be the main methods for study. Other geophysical and geochemical 
methods will be integrated if necessary. 
Area 4, fourth paragraph 
Research will also be carried out on clean and energy saving production of hydrogen and methanol with 
SOFC based technologies, aiming at 40 % electricity savings in the case of hydrogen. Industrial electro­
chemical reactors for production of chemical compounds or the treatment of effluent by electrolysis and 
oxidation will also be considered. 
Area 4, fifth paragraph 
The goal is to develop and improve technologies and modelling tools which are expected to have a major 
impact on heat and electricity savings and on a reduction of pollution. These technologies should lead to 
energy savings of 20 to 25 % in new equipment, buildings and processes. 
No C 76/14 Official Journal of the European Communities 21. 3. 91 
Area 4, sixth paragraph 
Current work on energy saving in industry has allowed new goals to be determined. In particular, process 
intensification and process integration will be extended to include environmental aspects. As a result the 
following priorities have been established in close collaboration with industry: unit operations e.g. sepa­
ration techniques, heat exchangers, process intensification, chemical reactors; process integration leading to 
energy saving and decreased pollution; energy conversion equipment such as catalytic combustion, 
industrial high temperature heat pumps for heating and refrigeration, addressing also the problem of CFC 
substitutes; electricity saving. 
Area 4, seventh paragraph 
Research on energy saving in buildings will include in particular passive cooling, aiming at reducing the 
electricity demand for cooling, in particular for southern European countries. New daylighting techniques 
will be developed to reduce lighting and cooling requirements. Work on heat pumps will in future be 
focused on integration of catalytic combustors and cheap compact heat exchangers. Aerogel research will 
be extended to the development of highly insulating transparent and adaptable windows. Air management 
systems in buildings will also be considered. New energy saving design systems will be developed to provide 
architects with tools to introduce energy saving techniques in the building sector and urban planning. The 
potential for energy savings and consequential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through new and 
improved technologies in the domestic sector is recognized and R&D will be directed to realizing this 
potential. 
Area 4, paragraph 7a 
(new) 
Special attention will be given to standardizing building design taking account of passive solar energy and 
making possible substantial energy savings. The programme will also seek to improve technology in the 
domestic sector, making possible both energy savings and a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas 
emissions. 
Area 4, eighth paragraph 
The aim is to develop advanced technologies which can lead to highly efficient and clean transport. This 
area, which will involve the participation of industry, deals with short, medium and long term research and 
includes both combustion engines and fuel cell and battery driven electric vehicles. Complementarity with 
actions carried out in the industrial and materials technologies programme will be ensured by means of 
integrated projects. 
21. 3. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No G 76/15 
ANNEX II 
INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF EXPENDITURES 
In %, for the period 1990 to 1994 
Area 1: 
Area 2: 
Area 3: 
Area 4: Analysis of strategies and modelling 
Minimum emission power production 
from fossil sources 
Renewable energy sources 
Energy utilization and conservation 5-7 
20-30 
30-40 O 
30-40 0) 
The breakdown between different areas does not exclude the possibility that projects could cover several 
(') Including integrated projects. 
ANNEX III 
RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME AND ACTIVITIES FOR 
DISSEMINATION AND EXPLOITATION OF THE RESULTS 
Paragraph la 
(new) 
1. For the purpose of this decision, sub-programmes and projects in implementation of the programme are 
defined as joint research and technological development actions designed to contribute to the devel­
opment of new energy options that are both economically viable and environmentally safe, including 
energy-saving technologies. 
2. Community financial support may be granted for: 
(a) technological projects: these are projects designed to explore, structure or test the technical feasi­
bility of innovatory concepts prior to any industrial development; 
(b) essential strategic research projects; these are projects which develop, through crossborder colla­
boration, new areas of basic knowledge likely to initiate industrial research. 
3. Community financial support under this programme may in no case be granted to energy technology 
promotion projects, as defined in Article 2 of Regulation 2008/90/EEC. 
No C 76/16 Official Journal of the European Communities 21.3.91 
Paragraph 2 fourth subparagraph 
The concerted actions are those defined in Article 92 of the Financial Regulation. 
Paragraph 3 second subparagraph 
Natural or legal persons established in countries which have concluded cooperation agreements on 
scientific and technical research with the Community, may, based on the criterion of mutual advantage, 
take part in the projects undertaken in the framework of this programme. Such contracting parties will not 
benefit from Community funding under the framework programme. They shall contribute to the general 
administrative costs. 
Paragraph 4 subparagraph 2a 
(new) 
The Commission shall determine in each case whether the management of the programme, or parts 
thereof, can be undertaken by organizations or institutions outside the Commission, without delegating its 
decision-making powers. 
Paragraph 4 subparagraph 5 
The exceptional procedure shall come into effect after the first call for proposals and must be completed 
before the ordinary procedure in such a way that the available amount for the Community's financial 
participation in projects retained by the ordinary procedure can be determined precisely. The closing date 
for the exceptional procedure shall be published each year in the Official Journal of the European 
Communities. 
Paragraph 4 subparagraph 6 
The amount of the financial participation of the Community for all the projects retained by the exceptional 
procedure will be decided each year, in relation to the projects selected according to particularly stria 
criteria of excellence. In any case this amount may not exceed 10 °/o. 
Paragraph 4a 
(new) 
4a. In selecting projects, the Commission shall give priority to projects which are incorporated in and 
associated with regional energy programmes.