Physical sciences, Earth sciences

In October 2020, the Results Pack Social Sciences and Humanities in Energy Research featured PROSEU, a project that empowered ordinary citizens to play a key role in Europe’s transition to clean energy. Did it succeed in helping European prosumers – people who produce and consume their own renewable energy – become main actors in this transition?

As digital technologies transform the energy sector, users can more easily manage and control their appliances and systems. However, there are many solutions and standards to choose from, and not all of these can be combined and work together seamlessly. This complicates consumers’ lives, and it is a barrier to a more rapid uptake of smart appliances and services.

After initial backing for their new wave energy technologies, two developers are validating performance with tank testing and simulation.

Do people reconsider their opinions based on new information or to gain social acceptance? A new study shows how the brain distinguishes between different types of social influence when we change our mind.

In October 2020, the Results Pack Social Sciences and Humanities in Energy Research featured SMARTEES, a project that explored the concept of social energy innovations and how they evolve over time. We find out that the results fed into a novel digital tool to improve policy design and decision-making.

Can we really build computers as energy efficient as the human brain? New research that has succeeded in combining a memory function and a calculation function in one component brings us a step closer to making this a reality.

A report highlights how an innovative battery power solution could support zero-emission voyages for inland waterway vessels.

In today’s energy crisis, an EU-backed project’s smart sensors are helping Europe’s food SMEs slash their energy costs.

An EU-backed project has started up a pilot CO2 capture plant in Norway. Such developments will go a long way in transforming the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy with no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

EU-backed scientists are delivering electrolysis modules to generate green hydrogen from renewable energy and water.

An EU-funded project has presented a new, bio-inspired coating solution for reducing maritime shipping emissions.

Researchers work on easier, cheaper and more efficient renewable methanol production to cut transport carbon emissions.

Seven technologies developed to help transform Europe’s electricity grid gain EU recognition.

A new digital matchmaking platform is creating global opportunities for collaboration between biogas and biomethane technology providers, project developers and investors.

A new bio-based polymer could be good news for the environment. A recent assessment of its industrial production and use in bottles points to potentially major reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

An EU-funded initiative launches the beta version of its services to facilitate European citizens’ involvement in geothermal projects.

A new report has mapped the development of renewable technology innovation in terms of costs, patents and standards, offering valuable insight to policymakers.

An EU-funded report outlines how current regulations and policies affect the operation of local energy communities (LECs) in Europe, highlighting the need for a holistic approach.

A demo site in northern Sweden showcases fossil-free district heating and cooling with a fuel cell-powered data centre set up for the recovery of waste heat.

A new financing scheme launched in Poland supports energy renovations in buildings for better living conditions and lower emissions for 20 years or more.