Frequently Asked Questions

The concept of SmartGrids was developed in 2006 by the European Technology Platform for Smart Grids, and concerns an electricity network that can intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it - generators, consumers and those that do both - in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and secure electricity supplies. A smart grid employs innovative products and services together with intelligent monitoring, control, communication, and self-healing technologies in order to:

Better facilitate the connection and operation of generators of all sizes and technologies
Allow consumers to play a part in optimising the operation of the system
Provide consumers with more information and better options choosing their energy supplier
Significantly reduce the environmental impact of the whole electricity supply system
Maintain and improve the existing high levels of system reliability, quality, and security of supply
Maintain and improve the existing services efficiently
Foster the development of an integrated European market.

2. Now that the Strategy Deployment Document (SDD) is ready, what is there left for the SmartGrids to do?

The performance of ETPs was evaluated in August 2009 and most of them were found to have been successful in bringing the relevant stakeholders together to discuss and reach agreements on research strategies and themes. However, as time passes, some have suggested that the ETPs have achieved their mission and that new activities are needed to revitalise the ETP instrument and reach a higher level of enthusiasm and engagement. The European Technology Platform for SmartGrids was set up in 2005 for the purpose of creating a joint vision for the European electricity networks of 2020 and beyond. The platform includes representatives from industry, transmission and distribution system operators, research organisations, and regulators. The platform has already identified clear objectives and proposes an ambitious strategy that will benefit Europe and its electricity customers. Currently, SmartGrids has the following specific objectives:

Updating the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), as it has been 5 years since the SRA was created and a new strategy envisaging beyond 2020 is needed
Supporting European Grid EU initiatives and related projects
Disseminating SmartGrids information and updates in Europe and Internationally
Bringing key stakeholders together
Establishing links with other initiatives relevant to SmartGrids

3. Does ETP SmartGrids participate in projects?

As ETPs are not a legal entity, they are not allowed to join any project. However, its individual members can do it, always on their own behalf.

4. How can I get involved in ETP SMARTGRIDS?

To become an active participant in the platform - follow the links below to find out how you can get involved:

Subscribe to the ETP SmartGrids newsletter
Attend seminars and related events that are sponsored, supported or organised by the ETP Participate in the public consultations announced on the website
Join an existing Working Group
Become a sponsor or partner of platform initiatives - contact us to find more.

5. How many members are involved in ETP SmatGrids?

ETP SmartGrids has no official membership as it does not charge for its activities. Those involved are participants of the working groups, administrators, etc.

6. How is SmartGrids funded?

The secretariat is partially funded by the European Commission. All other costs are not covered.

7. What is the relationship between the Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) and the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme (FP7)?

The SRA is a long term R&D roadmap collaboratively developed by the energy sector, but it is not an R&D funding instrument. The FP7 is the EC’s policy instrument for facilitating R&D from 2007 to 2013. The FP7 provides funding for R&D activities which are defined in Specific Programmes and derived Work Programmes. The SRA was taken into consideration during the formulation of FP7's Specific Programmes and Work Programmes. The FP7 is one of several funding sources relevant to the sector. Other funding sources include additional EU programmes such as the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme 2007-2013, ERA-NET (i.e. networks that serve as a link between National Programmes), national programmes, and industry contributions or loans.

8. Does the ETP SmartGrids have own project calls or does it support the FP7 Calls?

No, the ETP SmartGrids does not manage calls for proposals or support FP7 calls.

9. In the past, industry has benefited from the European Commission's Framework Programmes for Research. What is different today?

Industry participation in R&D projects under the various Research Framework Programmes has decreased over the years. Reasons have included: unfavourable conditions concerning intellectual property rights (IPR) issues, low participation in programme development, and complicated administrative requirements. Starting from the 6th Framework Programme, IPR issues have been resolved in a manner that is more favourable for companies. Project consortia now have more flexibility the allocation ofwork and budget. The instrument of European Technology Platforms was created to facilitate private-public partnerships for research. Industry has been actively involved from the beginning of this initiative. In the FP7, a much stronger (and even leading) involvement of industry has been encouraged.

10. Who decides which research areas or projects will be funded under the FP7 and what are the criteria for these decisions?

The content of the FP7, specifically the Specific Programmes and the Rules of Participation, were developed by the European Commission (EC), and subsequently adopted by the European Parliament and the European Council. The Work Programmes with their detailed description of objectives and activities have been developed by the EC in consultation with the Programme Committees consisting of National Delegates at a political level. Deciding which projects will ultimately obtain funding depends on the outcome of the evaluation procedure under a specific call for proposals for a Specific Area or theme in a Work Programme. Evaluation procedures are well-defined and are carried out by a group of unbiased, external experts, appointed by the EC.

11. How will research projects resulting from the SRA be included in the FP7?

The ETPs brief the European Commission's DG, the National Delegates in the Programme Committees, and members of the European Parliament, on issues that are important to the sector. As a result, the Work Programmes and calls for proposals within the FP7 will provide opportunities to submit proposals for cooperative R&D projects that adhere to the SRA Research institutes, universities, and industry will then form consortia, develop projects that meet the respective call, and prepare excellent proposals to be submitted prior to the deadline. The ETP steering group facilitates this process and supports funded projects that contribute to the SRA and fulfil SRA objectives.

12. How do companies apply for research projects under FP7?

A call for proposals must be issued by the European Commission. A call includes a description of the area of R&D related to the project, the regulations, and the deadline for submission. All legal entities are able to form a project consortium and prepare and submit a project application. Most project concepts are developed during discussions between partners from industry and research organisations, and are in line with the R&D needs expressed in the SRA and the call for proposals. National or European research groupings, as well as ETP networking events can provide support with project preparation. Projects should closely adhere to the objectives outlined in the call for tenders. Companies are also invited to participate in project preparation. Because the period between publication of a call for proposals and the deadline for submission is usually rather short (3-4 months for a pan-European R&D project), preparation work usually starts earlier.

13. Does one have to go through the ETP to apply for research projects under FP7, Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and other programmes?

No. All legal entities are free to form a project consortium as well as prepare and submit a project application. Some organisations or companies will prepare proposals independently of their involvement in the ETP, especially if they are going to apply for a competitive project for which the details need to remain confidential to protect Intellectual Property. . It is beneficial to verify that the proposed project has existing links with the ETP SRA. If this is the case, information about the proposal should be entered into the FTP Database.

14. How and when do companies form or join a consortium?

Companies that want to participate in FP7 projects should collect information on the programme and its calls from the official information sources of the European Commission (e.g., www.cordis.eu), and the National Offices for the FP7. They can also refer to the ETP websites for information. Companies can initiate or join consortia, and prepare an application for a specific call for proposals when the call is published, or by anticipating the content of a call and preparing in advance. Given that the calls are highly competitive, and the proposals need to be well-prepared and detailed; participation in a project consortium should start as early as possible. Participation in ETP activities can help companies toidentify promising calls, find partners, and so forth.

15. What happens with the results of a research project in which companies have participated? Do they become public knowledge and can they be used by other competing companies?

An FP7 R&D project generally requires that the project results benefit (and are commercially exploitable) at a European level; therefore requiring that the consortium consist of partners in more than three countries. During the creation of a consortium, each partner should be aware of other partners’ specific areas of expertise and the potential competition conflicts that could arise. However, it is important to mention that each partner owns the intellectual property (IP) rights of the results that he has generated. It is up to each partner to protect the knowledge generated during the project, and to decide whether or not to make it public.. Even though a partner may wish to keep their project results confidential (from the general public), they will be obligated to share their results with other consortium partners who need the information in order to carry out their own tasks.. Although partners are required (by art. II.30 ECGA) to disseminate the results derived from the project, this dissemination must be compatible with the protection of the intellectual property rights and partners can choose the amount of information they want to reveal. Finally, the IP owner has the right to license the use of the product, and can request payment from external entities (consortium partners would not be required to pay).

FAQs ABOUT EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS

16. What are European Technology Platforms (ETPs)?

European Technology Platforms play an integral role in mobilising Europe’s research, technological development, and innovation efforts. The platforms’ primary objectives are the definition of Strategic Research Agendas for the medium to long-term, and the establishment of necessary, effective public-private partnerships for implementation of these agendas. The ETPs:

Provide an industry-led framework for stakeholders, to define research and development priorities, timeframes, and action plans for a number of strategically important issues where achieving Europe's future growth, competitiveness and sustainability objectives is dependent upon major research and technological advances in the medium to long term.
Play a key role in ensuring that the research funds are focused in areas that have the highest potential for industrialisation and commercialisation. By fostering effective public-private partnerships, technology platforms have the potential to make significant contributions to the renewed Lisbon strategy and to the development of a European Research Area. They are also proving to be powerful actors in the development of European research policy, by orienting the Seventh Research Framework Programme to better meet the needs of industry.
Identify opportunities for technological developments that could contribute to key policy objectives, and promote Europe’s competitiveness in the future. Developments include: technology focused on sustainability, technology-based public goods and services, breakthroughs in high technology sectors, and restructuring conventional technology sectors. In brief, ETPs bring together the key stakeholders, i.e. industry, national and European public authorities, the academic community, the financial community, consumers and users around a common vision for the effective and competitive development of the technology.

17. How is an European Technology Platform set up and who are the stakeholders?

The ETPs are driven by the demand for information in a particular field of technology or research. The platforms advance as a result of the collective effort of key stakeholders such as:

Industry (large, medium, and small, including the whole production and supply chain)
Public authorities (they have experience and knowledge of policy makers, as well as technology consumers)
Research institutes and the academic community
Financial community (e.g. Venture capital organisations and the European Investment Bank)
Civil society, including users and consumers

Interested stakeholders can decide whether or not to set up a technology platform, keeping in mind that new initiates should meet some criteria (details below) that have been created to prevent ETP concepts from overlapping, or losing their strategic relevance. Those interested in initiating a new platform can contact the European Commission for guidance and more information: RTD-ETP-Secretariat@ec.europa.eu.

18. What are the defining characteristics of ETPs?

A specific inter-service working group at the Commission evaluates whether emerging ETP initiatives adhere to the necessary criteria. The goals of the proposed platform must contribute to European growth, competitiveness, and sustainability objectives, including:

Timely development and deployment of new technologies that have potential to create a significant impact in one or more industrial sectors
Technology development to meet policy objectives for sustainable development
New technologybased public goods and services that may have high barriers to entry and uncertain profitability, but could also offer significant economic potential
Achieving the necessary technological breakthroughs to remain at the leading edge in highly technological sectors that have significant strategic and economic importance
Renewal, revival, or restructuring of traditional industrial sectors
Interact with and have a positive impact on a wide range of Community policies (e.g. industrial policy, sustainable development, economic and societal issues, regional policy)
Clear commitment from industry and strong involvement from Member States
Representation from a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. large industries, SMEs, NGOs, financial institutions, civil society, Member States)
Addressing topics of recognised importance

Emerging initiatives that are considered to meet these criteria will appear on the CORDIS website (http://cordis.europa.eu/technology-platforms/individual_en.html), and their industrial leaders will be invited to regular meetings to exchange views and information with Commission services. Emerging initiatives can contact Commission services for more information (RTD-ETP-Secretariat@ec.europa.eu).

19. What is the typical lifecycle of a technology platform?

While each European Technology Platform has its own origins, timing, approach, and its own particular way of working, they normally follow a “three-stage” development process:

Stage 1: Stakeholders get together in order to establish their “vision” for the future development of the platform

Stage 2: Stakeholders define a Strategic Research Agenda based on their common views for the technology’s medium to long term research, development, and demonstration opportunities

Stage 3:. Implementation of the Strategic Research Agenda : The ETPs will identify priorities and plan deployment, as well as utilise private and public investments.

20. How are European Technology Platforms funded?

In general, the active stakeholders fund their own costs in participating in technology platforms. Operational entities (i.e. Secretariat) may receive funding from the EC for eligible activities, given that the activities closely correspond with the thematic areas of the current 7^th Research Framework Programme.

21. What is the role of the European Commission in European Technology Platforms?

The European Commission encourages this bottom-up, industry-led approach, for example through active participation as an observer in many platforms and by playing a guiding role, where necessary. In order to avoid a dilution of the ETP concept and overlaps between platforms, the Commission services evaluate emerging initiatives, according to a set of pre-established criteria, and give recommendations for their development. The Commission however does not “own” technology platforms (which do not have any legal status) nor is bound by their views. The Commission services follow developments within European technology platforms and, where appropriate, use their input in the course of developing European research policy. In this context, the Strategic Research Agendas have already provided a valuable and significant input to the nine themes of the “Co-operation” programme in the Commission’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and they will be further reflected in more detail in future Specific Programmes and Work Programmes.

22. Where can I find information about other ETPs?

Currently, there are 37 ETPs. You can find a list of them in the following link.

23. What is a Joint Technology Initiative?

Joint Technology Initiatives are a specific new mechanism, envisaged to be introduced under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), which enable coherent, large-scale structures to be set up in order to support the implementation of all or part of the Strategic Research Agendas defined by a limited number of European technology platforms which are of such an ambitious scale that they will require the mobilisation of very high public and private investments, as well as huge material and human research resources. Further information is available on ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/fp7/docs/faqs-jtis_en.pdf.

At this stage, Joint Technology Initiatives running are:

Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)
Embedded Computing Systems (ARTEMIS)
Aeronautics and Air Transport (Clean Sky)
Nanoelectronics Technologies 2020 (ENIAC)
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)

24. What is the difference between ETP and JTI?

Basically, JTIs are usually the result of ETP development. In fact, JTIs are in charge of developing the agenda elaborated by ETPs. Whereas JTIs are independent legal entities and therefore able to launch calls and have funding capacities (50% from EC and 50% from JTI members), ETPs don’t.

25. What kind of public programmes are ETP related to?

ETPs have been providing major input to European research programmes such as FP7, CIP and ERANET. Moreover, it is important to know that ETPs will develop an essential role within the industrial initiatives represented in the SET PLAN, as well as several related national programmes and initiatives.

26. Who can I contact for more information?

The Commission services have compiled four Status Reports on the Development of Technology Platforms (available on Cordis) which contain further information and contact details for the individual platforms. Additional information on the context and rationale of platforms is available in the reports "Technology Platforms: from Definition to Implementation of a Common Research Agenda" (September 2004) and "European Technology Platforms and Joint Technology Initiatives: Fostering Public-Private R&D Partnerships to Boost Europe's Industrial Competitiveness". All these reports are available on Cordis (http://cordis.europa.eu/technology-platforms/further_en.html

For any other questions you can contact the ETP Secretariat at the European Commission's Directorate General for Research at RTD-ETP-Secretariat@ec.europa.eu or the individual ETPs as well.

Main menu

You are here

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs ABOUT ETP SMARTGRIDS

FAQs ABOUT EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS

FAQs ABOUT ETP SMARTGRIDS

FAQs ABOUT EUROPEAN TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS