Research And Technological Development Research Articles

Data validation platform for the sophisticated monitoring and communication of the energy technology sector

It has very often been stated that the difficulty and complexity of achieving green energy targets in the European Union (EU) will require strengthened measures to promote implementation of New Energy Technologies, Energy End-use Efficiency, as well as measures to support the related energy Research and Technology Development (RTD). Often forgotten is the fact, that most of all, a European-wide co-ordinated forum is needed to continuously develop and sophisticate the monitoring and methodology results, bringing together specialised statisticians, energy researchers and experts on energy socio-economics. The aim of this paper is to present the Scientific Reference System (SRS) Scorecard; a data validation platform for the sophisticated monitoring and communication of the energy technology sector. In this respect, the concept of the SRS scorecard system will be laid out, the parameters and the scoring criteria will be explained as well as the assessment system so as to provide the interested reader with the basis needed to understand the technology evaluation examples provided, as well as its critical analysis.

The European Research Area: in quest of the Lisbon goals

strong educational and scientific knowledge basie is one of Europe's traditional key assets that has made it possible for our continent to become world class in several research fields. Despite these great achievements, the position of the European research and technological development (RTD) potential is currently being challenged by a rapidly changing global competition, including the two main rivals, the US and Japan. The European Union (EU) is behind these countries as regards research and innovation output. Moreover, European research is faced with theimplications of globalisation of markets and industries, digitalisation and new technologies, as well as a need to address societal issues such as an ageing population or climate change.At the same time, the European Union (EU) is facing the uneven distribution of RTD capacities and excellence within its own borders, especially the EU12 countries are lagging behind in thisrespect.In order to meet this twofold challenge the EU has to step up its efforts for the creation of a legitimate "European Research Area" that will make the EU more competitive on the international scene, and also encourage the less developed EU member states to invest more and better into research and innovation.

Policy oriented review for photovoltaics introduction in the EU

In order to continuously monitor its targets towards a 'green Europe', the European Commission has set up a project to enhance the availability, completeness and quality of data regarding new energy technologies (NET), energy end-use efficiency (EEE) and energy research and technology development (RTD). The scientific reference system (SRS) established in the framework of this project was intended to support a number of stakeholders in their attempt to make better informed decisions. In this paper, we discuss the information gathered for the solar photovoltaic (PV) technology by using the SRS methodology. First, the SRS approach is summarised and following that, we present the findings of the research conducted by analysing the data regarding PVs. A general overview of the PV technology, industry and market is provided. Moreover, special attention is given to the energy policy frameworks in Europe and to the PV future potential in the EU and worldwide.

Research management and policy: incentives and obstacles to a better public‐private interaction

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss the public‐private linkage within the Danish research and technological development (RTD) and innovation system, seen from the point of view of the private sector. The relationship between public and private research is an issue of growing interest to management and public policy.Design/methodology/approachBased on interviews with business managers, the article identifies obstacles that enterprises experience when cooperating with public research institutions and highlights conditions that influence the relationship.FindingsThe paper points to ways to strengthen linkages and provides information on how to further stimulate public‐private interaction and thus make better use of resources through synergy.Originality/valueThe analysis in the paper offers an insight that can serve as a reference for researchers, managers and policymakers in countries with conditions similar to those of the Danish.

THE INNOVATIVE CAPACITY OF THE RAIL INDUSTRY: HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND AMBITIONS VERSUS LIMITED RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The railway sector is in most countries in a period of transition. Governments hope, by simulating regulatory reforms of the sector, to revitalisation railway in order to go through this phase. This paper aims to analyse the innovative capacity of the railway industry, and give a special emphasis to the development of rolling stock. A carefully executed innovation management process needs to take place within a number of boundary conditions. These conditions form no 'hard' stipulations to be imposed on the specific factors or on the specific capabilities of an innovation, but they are directed at supplying as much clarity as possible during the execution of the complete managerial process. The conditions are derived from the various views that exist concerning the network approach in general, but are confined, given the demands of the technology area. The article concludes that the role of the Research and Technology Development (RTD) policy can contribute to the general objectives of the railway industry.

Improvement, extension and integration of operational Decision Support Systems for nuclear emergency management (DSSNET)

Abstract The DSSNET network was established in October 2000 with the overall objective to create an effective and accepted framework for better communication and understanding between the community of institutions involved in operational off-site emergency management and the many and diverse Research and Technological Development (RTD) institutes further developing methods and tools in this area, in particular decision support systems (DSS), for making well informed and consistent judgements with respect to practical improvements of emergency response in Europe. 37 institutions from 21 countries of East and West Europe have been members of the network with about half of them responsible for operational emergency management. To stimulate the communication and feedback between the operational and the RTD community, problem-oriented emergency exercises were performed, which covered the various time phases of an accident and which extended from the near range to farther distances with frontier crossing transport of radionuclides. This paper concentrates on the five emergency exercises conducted in the frame of the project.

Concept of technical support to science–policy interfacing with respect to the implementation of the European water framework directive

In the implementation of water policies, such as the European water framework directive (WFD), good interaction between policy development and implementation, and the science is of crucial importance. This requires new knowledge and insights to be taken into account in the policy design and development. It also requires the results of Research and Technology Development (RTD) projects, including ICT decision supporting instruments such as tools and models, to be transferred towards policy implementation. These science–policy interrelationships are, however, at this moment not as efficient as it should/could be. This is due to limited operational links with water managers in many water-related RTD projects, such that the needs of policy makers are not taken into account at a sufficient level. Due to this and other reasons, newly developed tools from the research community most often insufficiently transfer to operational use by water managers. Better research integration consequently is required at the various stages of policy developments (identification, design, implementation and review). Within the framework of the Harmoni-CA project for the European Commission, the development of a science–policy interfacing instrument is initiated in order to meet the above-mentioned science–policy gap problems [Quevauviller, Ph., Balabanis, P., Fragakis, C., Weydert, M., Oliver, M., Kaschl, A., Arnold, G., Kroll, A., Galbiati, L., Zaldivar, J.M., Bidoglio, G., 2005. Science–policy integration needs in support of the implementation of the EU water framework directive. Env. Sci. Policy 8 (3), 203–211; Arnold G.E., de Lange, W.J., Blind, M.W., 2005. The Conserted Action Harmoni-CA facilitating the dialogue and bridging the gap between research and WFD implementation. Env. Sci. Policy 8 (3), 213–218]. This paper describes a concept developed by the authors, on how the science–policy interfacing technically can be supported through the bi-directional linking of various types of information sources identified as potential means for enhancing the interfacing mechanism. The information sources identified are policy implementation tasks (at the policy side), and ICT tools, methodologies and guidances (as results of RTD projects). Experiences on the application of RTD results in policy implementation tasks are one of the glue elements between these information sources in combination with activity-related and contextual keywords.

Monitoring and managing sediment quality and impact assessment in Spain in the past 10 years

Members of the INTERSED network initiated several efforts to coordinate management activities, information, priorities and approaches in research and technological development (RTD) with respect to sediments at a national level in Spain. The present work summarizes the results of a database search (1995–2005) carried out within the INTERSED framework; we found 250 international and national publications of Spanish groups related to the study of sediments located in the Spanish coast and river basins using different approaches. The results show the statistics of RTD groups involved, the main objectives of the publications, the types of sediment and their location, and the analytical method and parameters. We describe the state of the art on the field of research in sediments at the national level in Spain over a period of 10 years.

Euratom innovation in nuclear fission: Community research in reactor systems and fuel cycles

The following questions are naturally at the heart of the current Euratom research and training framework programme: (1) What are the challenges facing the European Union nuclear fission research community in the short (today), medium (2010) and long term (2040)? (2) What kind of research and technological development (RTD) does Euratom offer to respond to these challenges, in particular in the area of reactor systems and fuel cycles? In the general debate about energy supply technologies there are challenges of both a scientific and technological (S/T) as well as an economic and political (E/P) nature. Though the Community research programme acts mainly on the former, there is nevertheless important links with Community policy. These not only exist in the specific area of nuclear policy, but also more generally as is depicted in the following figure. [Display omitted] It is shown in the particular area of nuclear fission, to what extent Euratom research, education and innovation (“Knowledge Triangle” in above figure) respond to the following long-term criteria: (1) sustainability, (2) economics, (3) safety, and (4) proliferation resistance. Research and innovation in nuclear fission technology has broad and extended geographical, disciplinary and time horizons: • the community involved extends to all 25 EU Member States and beyond; • the research assembles a large variety of scientific disciplines; • three generations of nuclear power technologies (called II, III and IV) are involved, with the timescales extending from now to around the year 2040. To each of these three generations, a couple of challenges are associated (six in total): • Generation II (1970–2000, today): security of supply + environmental compatibility; • Generation III (around 2010): enhanced safety and competitiveness (economics); • Generation IV (around 2040): cogeneration of heat and power, and full recycling. At the European Commission (EC), the research related to nuclear reactor systems and fuel cycles is principally under the responsibility of two Directorates Generals (DG): • DG Research (RTD, located in Brussels), which implements and manages the programme of “indirect actions”, i.e. multi-partner projects undertaken by consortia made up of national laboratories, industrial bodies and other research organisations in the EU, usually on a shared cost basis ( http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/euratom.html); • DG Joint Research Centre (JRC, headquarters in Brussels and seven scientific institutes in five Member States), which carries out “direct actions” in their own laboratories. In the frame of the enlargement of the European Union, the JRC facilities and competences are made available to a large number of countries ( http://www.jrc.cec.eu.int/). In this overview paper, the emphasis is on the indirect actions related to innovation in nuclear fission, as they are conducted in the Unit “Nuclear Fission and Radiation Protection” of DG Research/Directorate J Energy (Euratom) (6th Euratom research framework programme/2003–2006/FP-6). The total EC contribution for this specific research is 78 million EUR. The related Community research projects are spread over the four sub-areas that are listed in the table below and described in more details further down in the paper. To carry out the above research, new financial instruments were used, namely: “networks of excellence” (NoE) and “integrated projects” (IP), also discussed in this paper. Numerous examples are given of the unique synergy between Euratom research, education and innovation in nuclear fission. The emphasis in this paper is on the S/T challenges and on the response that the “European Research Area” offers, in collaboration with private and public stakeholders. Conclusions are drawn regarding the role that nuclear fission energy plays at the EU level as part of the solution in a balanced energy mix. Area EC contribution (million EUR) Total cost (million EUR) Safety of existing installations (projects: PERFECT, SARNET, NURESIM, COVERS) 19 52 Innovative reactor systems and fuel cycles (projects: RAPHAEL, GCFR, ELSY, HPLWR) 17 35 Partitioning and transmutation (projects: EUROPART, EUROTRANS, RED-IMPACT, ACTINET) 38 67 Education and training and infrastructures (projects: ENEN/NEPTUNO, ENETRAP, …, JHR, HOTLAB) 4 4 Total 78 158

RTD evaluation and policy in the European Research Area

English Evaluation of Research and Technological Development (RTD) processes and outcomes is gaining importance in European policy as funds are reallocated to research and demands for accountability are growing. However, a common evaluation ground is not seen yet in Europe. The theme for this article is the landscape of RTD evaluations in Europe and their use in research and technology policy. Based on a comparative study of 22 European countries, concepts of public evaluations and their impacts on policy at meso- and macro-level are outlined and discussed. The article points to future needs and challenges with regard to the construction of public RTD evaluations and their use in policy, in particular with a view to creating the European Research Area (ERA). It concludes that some rethinking of evaluation concepts and practices is called for.

Review of ECSC research work in ironmaking

The Treaty of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which expired in 2002, states in its Article 55 to promote technical and economic research with respect to the production and growing application of coal and steel. The results of funded research projects shall be made available to all representatives and partners concerned. For the European steel industry Article 55 was the basis for building up a steel research programme covering topics from raw materials to steel application and instigated a European network of researchers from the steel industry, research institutes and universities.On the basis of these research and development activities carried out by the ECSC steel research, the iron and steel industry has shown important advances in technology and environmental compatibility. Furthermore, the ECSC steel research has contributed to nearly all important technological developments. The main objective of the ECSC steel Research and Technology Development (RTD) programme was to sustain and develop the Community steel industry's competitiveness.The following report describes fundamental developments and activities within the framework of ECSC research with particular respect to hot metal production in the last 15 years.

A group support system for foresight processes

The preparation of research and technology development (RTD) programmes calls for the analysis of prospective technological advances and the consideration of lessons learned from earlier programs. In this paper, we report experiences from a pilot project in which an internet-based survey and five participatory workshops were organised in conjunction with a Finnish RTD program in telecommunications. At these workshops, leading representatives from industry and the research community were invited to report their experiences from a concluding RTD program and to address future research needs, whereby they were assisted by a group support system (GSS). The workshop process was well received, which suggests that the preparation of RTD efforts can benefit from the deployment of GSS tools in support of face-to-face discussions. To our knowledge, this is the first account on GSS use in the foresight context.

Emergent foresight processes: industrial activities in wireless communications

Technology foresight has received growing attention among those involved in the shaping and implementation of science and technology (S&T) policies. However, although evaluative analyses of foresight exercises have supplied evidence on acclaimed benefits—such as the generation of future-oriented knowledge and strengthening of collaborative networks—they also point to challenges in translating foresight results into actions within research and technology development (RTD) organizations. In this article, we address these challenges by considering the work of the Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF), which has sought to promote the conception, development, and diffusion of wireless communication technologies. Specifically, by contrasting this work with well-known government-initiated foresight exercises, we typify so-called explicit, emergent, and embedded foresight activities and explore their interrelationships. Our comparative analysis points to conditions under which policy interventions may not be needed for the emergence of foresight activities that exert a major influence on RTD agendas. It also suggests several context-dependent roles for public policy, among which government-driven foresight exercises and the catalysis of more narrowly focused activities are but two examples.

BCR, turning over a new leaf

“BCR” is now an acronym that is recognised world-wide. It first appeared on the measurement scene some 30 years ago when the European Communities set up of the Community Bureau of Reference (Bureau Communautaire de Référence (BCR) in French), and it evolved in a succession of research programmes dedicated to measurement. For BCR, 2002 represented a crossroads, which was an end as well as a beginning: its end as a focused Research and Technological Development (RTD) framework programme; and, its new beginning towards being a self-sustained activity. This short note briefly recalls BCR achievements on the occasion of its 30th birthday (2003), which is marked by a radical transition from programme-related activities to a trade mark (BCR®).

Marketing solar thermal technologies: strategies in Europe, experience in Greece

Solar thermal technologies (STTs) are mature in many EU Member States. However, in some EU regions solar applications, and especially the innovative ones (such as solar heating/cooling, solar drying, solar-powered desalination), remain at an early stage. The degree of development of each market does not depend on climate conditions (e.g., insolation) or on different technological developments. The major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of STTs are examined, in order to identify the most important actions that should be taken to reduce existing barriers, as opposed to RTD (Research and Technology Development) of the new STTs. These include financing schemes, publications, electronic dissemination tools, campaigns, events, creation of information centres, audits and studies.

Embedded foresight in RTD programs

In recent years, several countries have carried out large-scale technology exercises. While these have been extensively discussed in the literature, less attention has been given to how objectives are served through consultative processes which are not necessarily designated as foresight but nevertheless seek to provide direction to publicly supported research and technology development (RTD) efforts. Here, we address this question by examining Finnish RTD programmes in electronics and telecommunications where processes have been enacted to build up capabilities for strategic flexibility and, more specifically, for the ability to change the direction of RTD efforts during the programme. We also argue that these processes may be crucial in conditions of rapid technological change.

Changing organisation of public-sector research in Europe - implications for benchmarking human resources in RTD

There have been widespread changes to the organisation and structure of public-sector research (PSR) throughout Europe. The changes appear to have negative consequences for human resources in research and technological development (RTD) but we lack reliable empirical evidence to assess their impact. Four elements of the reorganisation are discussed: the increase in short-term against long-term secure posts; the growth of student numbers; the erosion of PSR autonomy; and the introduction of new management practices. This discussion leads on to identification of the topics which benchmarking should address. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

GLORIA–EUROPE: Report on the Kickoff Meeting, 25–29 April, Vienna

of the Global Research Initiative in Alpine Environments, which will ultimately operate on a worldwide scale (see MRD Vol 20 No 2, pp 190–191). The project is funded by the European Union as a contribution to the fifth research and technological development (RTD) framework. The research consortium is coordinated by the Institute of Ecology and Conservation Biology of the University of Vienna under the leadership of Prof Georg Grabherr and his team (consisting of Michael Gottfried, Daniela Hohenwallner, Harald Pauli, and Karl Reiter). It is made up of a data supplier group and a user group. Data suppliers are contractors responsible for implementing the basic GLORIA setting on summits at different elevations in their particular target region (ie, the multisummit approach previously described in MRD). The 18 target regions are (1) Sierra Nevada (Spain), (2) Central Pyrenees (Spain), (3) Ritondu of Corsica (France), (4) Central Apennines (Italy), (5) Northern Apennines (Italy), (6) Lefka Ori of Crete (Greece), (7) Mercantour–Southwestern Alps (France), (8) Entremont–Western Alps (Switzerland), (9) Dolomites–Southern Alps (Italy), (10) Hochschwab–Northeastern Alps (Austria), (11) Tatra–Western Carpathians (Slovakia), (12) Rodnei–Eastern Carpathians (Romania), (13) Central Caucasus (Georgia), (14) Cairngorms– Scotland (UK), (15) Dovrefjell– Southern Scandes (Norway), (16) Latnjajaure–Northern Scandes (Sweden), (17) Southern Ural (Russia), and (18) Polar Ural (Russia).

A strategic European approach to aerodynamics research, technology and development

AbstractIn spite of the best intentions of many national and international funding agencies, much of the research and technology development (RTD) activity undertaken in Europe over the past few years has often been duplicating the work of others and has not resulted in an increase in capability in key areas. This is not to denigrate the work that has been undertaken — but have we done the right work? The EC-funded Thematic Network ‘Targeted Research Action in Aerospace Aerodynamics’, (TRA3), has been initiated with the broad aims of improving collaboration between existing EC- supported projects and, more importantly, attempting to put in place a long-term strategy for European aerospace aerodynamics RTD. TRA3 is, amongst other things, attempting to answer three key questions:• What are the important aerodynamic technologies?• What is the European aerospace industry’s current capability in these areas?• In which areas should Europe be investing to maintain a competi tive aerodynamics capability?The major benefit and output expected from TRA3 is the creation of a co-ordinated European aerodynamics RTD programme. The TRA3 Management Board consists of seven people who represent a cross-section of the European aerospace industry and research establishments, together with a Project Officer from the European Commission. This Management Board is tasked with formulating long-term plans for nine ‘Key Technology Areas’ that encompass all of the important aerodynamic technologies. This paper outlines the progress that has been made in meeting the very ambitious initial aims of the demanding work programme.

Visualisation of Multidimensional Objects and the Socio-Economical Impact to Activity in EC RTD Databases

The paper deals with the analysis of Research and Technology Development (RTD) in the Central European countries and the relation of RTD with economic and social parameters of coun- tries in this region. A methodology has been developed for quantitative and qualitative ranking and estimates of relationship among multidimensional objects on the base of such analysis. The knowl- edge has been discovered in four databases: two databases of European Commission (EC) contain- ing data on the RTD activities, databases of USA CIA and The World bank containing economic and social data. Data mining has been performed by means of visual cluster analysis (using the non-linear Sammon's mapping and Kohonen's artificial neural network - the self-organising map), regression analysis and non-linear ranking (using graphs of domination). The results on clustering of the Central European countries and on the relations among RTD parameters with economic and social parameters are obtained. In addition, the data served for testing various features of realisation of the self-organising map. The integration of non-classical methods (the self-organising map and graphs of domination) with classical ones (regress analysis and Sammon' mapping) increases the capacity of visual analysis and allows making more complete conclusions.