19.02.07 – GRENOBLE, France -- EUROGIA announced the start of an exciting new partnership agreement between this EUREKA energy Cluster and the French ‘Pôle de Compétitivité’ (competitiveness cluster*) Tenerrdis, which focuses on new energies. "EUROGIA has now widened its scope and opened itself to renewable energies and, for the first time, we have managed to build a programme that focuses on all sources of energy," said Gabriel Marquette, Chairman of EUROGIA.
Managing the world’s energy resources and exploring alternative new energies in the face of growing concern on climate change is one of the world’s biggest challenges. A compromise between economic growth and environmental protection is crucial for our future and a closer link needs to be created between research, climate change and economic objectives. Europe has resolutely opted for a 'market pull' approach to bring clean technologies onto the market in the short run. However, politicians realise new breakthrough technologies are also needed if deeper emission cuts are to be achieved in the long run. Moreover, industrialised nations who signed up to the Kyoto Protocol treaty are legally bound to reduce worldwide emissions of six greenhouse gases collectively by an average of 5.2% below their 1990 levels for 2008-2012.
Working together for cleaner energy
Extending EUROGIA’s scope of activities will attract new members, partners and countries on both sides. "The added-value of this partnership is that it will improve partnership creation and reinforce cross-fertilisation between industry sectors," added Marquette. "It will also improve knowledge on managing energy resources in Europe, helping to tackle increasing global demands and climate change."
EUROGIA’s fundamental purpose is to initiate fundamental technological developments to ensure a better management of fossil fuels leading to a hydrogen economy. Complementary to existing European and national programmes, it offers a fast route to market growth through industry-led European cooperation. Like EUREKA Clusters in other technological areas, it encourages cooperation between large and small companies, research institutes and universities, seeking to strengthen European competitiveness in key technology areas. Oil and gas companies and supply, service and construction industries have complementary responsibilities with energy producers having to deliver solutions to the operators. These solutions must meet technical and commercial objectives and comply with environmental, safety and ethical requirements.
"Two thirds of the French renewable energy sector is in the Rhône-Alpes region and 2006 was the year for Tenerrdis to reinforce its structure with over 100 labelled projects in two years," declared Claude Graff, president of Tenerrdis. "Collaboration has been extended, notably with the Rhône-Alpes Eco-Energy cluster, the CCI, Derbi and Capenergie. Finally, to respond to its international ambitions, Tenerrdis has opened itself to transnational cooperation through French innovation agency OSÉO-Anvar and its partnership with the EUREKA energy Cluster".
Tenerrdis’ objective focuses on stimulating R&D partnerships between industry, public and private research centres, training centres to generate innovative projects and job creation in the Rhône-Alpes, Drôme, Isère and Savoie region. Out of some 60 "Pôles de Compétitivité" announced, it aims to develop new technologies that produce solar, biomass and hydraulic energy. These sources of energy can be currently transformed into heat and electric optimising their use in transport and housing. And, in the future they will form the basis of a hydrogen economy. "All energies are good as long as they are well managed; they complement each other and can work together. It’s necessary to have this diversity as it corresponds to an economic reality," added Graff.