Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of non-nuclear energy (1994 to 1998) (94/C 262/08) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(94) 243 final - 94/0089(CNS)

(Submitted by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 A (2) of the EC Treaty on 6 June 1994)

The proposal for a Council Decision adopting a specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of non-nuclear energy (1994 to 1998) (COM(94)68 final - 94/0089 (CNS) is amended as follows:

Recital 4

Whereas in accordance with Article 130 i (3), an estimate should be made of the financial resources needed to carry out this specific programme; whereas the final amounts will be decided upon by the budgetary authority in accordance with the resources available under the financial perspective and the relative priority assigned to the area covered by this programme within activity I under the fourth framework programme;

Recital 5a

(new)

Whereas any increase in the overall maximum amount of the framework programme will depend in particular on the evaluation of the progress made in implementing the programme; whereas the progress made in this programme will be deemed satisfactory only if the first commitments of appropriations are effected within a reasonable period following the adoption of the programme; whereas that period may not exceed 12 months;

Recital 6b

(new)

Whereas the programme for non-nuclear energies calls for a coherent strategy covering the whole process of innovation, from scientific breakthrough all the way to dissemination;

Recital 13a

(new)

Whereas this contribution will be effective only if, in the calls for proposals, the selection of projects, and their follow-up during and after completion, priority is given to the possibilities for subsequent market access of the technologies concerned;

Recital 14a

(new)

Whereas, in order to respect the principle of subsidiarity and pursuant to Article 130h of the Treaty, this programme should be coordinated with the programmes supporting non-nuclear energy in the Member States;

Recital 17a

(new)

Whereas the Commission's efforts to simplify and speed up the application and selection procedures and make them more transparent must be continued in order to promote the implementation of the programme and to facilitate the action which firms, particularly SMEs, research centres and universities must take in order to participate in a Community RTD activity;

Recital 18

Whereas, in accordance with Article 130m of the Treaty, it may be appropriate to engage in international cooperation activities with international organizations, and in particular with the International Energy Agency, and third countries other than the countries covered by the EEA Agreement for the purpose of implementing this programme;

Article 1 (2)

It is based on a coherent joint strategy and covers both the research and technological development phase and the demonstration phase of the programme.

Article 2 (1)

1. The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the programme is ECU 967 million, including a maximum of 5,3 % for staff and administrative expenditure.

The first appropriations shall be committed no later than 12 months following the adoption of the programme, unless good reason is given for exceeding this deadline.

Article 2 (4)

4. The budgetary authority shall determine the appropriations available for each financial year in accordance with the availability of resources under the financial perspective and the scientific and technological priorities set in the fourth framework programme.

Article 7 (3), first paragraph

3. The Commission shall coordinate the work of the committees and inform them, at each of their meetings of the progress with the implementation of the programme.

ANNEX I

Point A.1.1, second paragraph

Work will be carried out on processes intended to penetrate the market in the short-, medium- and long-term. The short-term option aims at improving conventional power plants to efficiencies above 40 % with reduction of all pollutants, even with coal/biomass/waste blends. The medium term option aims primarily at IGCC (integrated gasification combined cycles) processes with efficiencies above 45 % and further reduction of pollutants. The long term option aims at the development of the after 'IGCC generation` processes (efficiency higher than 50 %). Preference will be given to medium- and long-term options. The conventional option will however receive appropriate support in cooperation actions with the developing countries, the countries of central and eastern Europe and the countries of the former Soviet Union, in synergy with the second action of the framework programme.

Point A.1.3, new paragraph before first paragraph

In R & D on fuel cells a strategy will be adopted, in cooperation with all the parties concerned and the potential users with a view to optimum targeting. Without preempting the changes which could result from this cooperation, the priorities envisaged are set out below.

Point A.1.4, first paragraph a (new)

This battery research effort will accompany the effort in the area of fuel cell vehicles, referred to in item 1.3. It will include the development of batteries and supercapacitors for 'pealing power` in hybrid configurations with fuel cells.

Point A.1.6, new paragraph before first paragraph

Research in sustainable advanced road transportation systems must be given high priority, as is now the case in the United States for example: it will aim at developing transport services that are attractive to the consumer, economically competitive, result in very low local pollutant emission, lead to dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy security.

Point A.2, fifth paragraph

The financial efforts, concentrated primarily on the areas referred to in point 2.1 to 2.5, will be devoted to the following topics:

Point A.2.5, second paragraph a (new)

Advanced conversion processes for hydrogen production from biomass will also be studied.

Point B, first paragraph

Demonstration activities including dissemination and valorization, will concern 3 areas: rational use of energy, renewable energy sources and fossil fuels. Their contribution to reducing and preventing air pollution, stimulating growth, strengthening competitiveness, increasing employment and to economic and social cohesion will depend crucially on account being taken from the time of the calls for proposals and including the follow-up of projects, during and after implementation, of the possibilities for subsequent market access of the technologies concerned.

Point B.1.4, second paragraph a (new)

Special attention should be devoted to electric cars, notably in urban environment, in order to avoid damage to people, buildings and cultural heritage caused by exhaust from combustion motors. Developing efficient, light weight rechargeable batteries is a prerequisite for the development of such cars.

Point B.2, eighth paragraph

Financial support will focus as a priority on energy from biomass and waste, solar energy and wind energy, including its storage, and secondarily on hydroelectric energy and geothermal energy.

Point B.3.1, new paragraph before first paragraph

The demonstration action in the solid fuels sector will be coordinated with the corresponding research action and integrated into the European network of excellence which must be established.

Point B.3.1, third paragraph a (new)

A wide-ranging action, conducted in cooperation with the second action of the framework programme and in synergy with the research action, will be carried out in relation to the developing countries and the countries of Eastern Europe so that the production and utilization of coal in these countries causes as little pollution as possible. Without neglecting advanced technologies, this action will take into due account of conventional options, in so far as they could contribute in the short term to significant reduction of pollution levels.