The “Strategic Research Priorities” document looks at promising research topics and has been prepared with the help of contributions from experts in the research, industry and public sectors. It discusses the opportunities for innovation in the solar heating and cooling sector up to 2050 as well as the need for a significant increase in R&D activities and budgets to exploit it.
The document was actually developed by RHC-Platform’s Solar Thermal Technology Panel (ESTTP) and covers solar technologies for nearly-zero energy residential buildings, public and commercial buildings, district heating systems, industrial applications and solar assisted cooling systems.
According to the Common Vision of RHC-Platform, renewable energy technologies could meet over 25 percent of the heat demand in the European Union and this could increase to 100 percent before 2040. Solar heating and cooling could make a major contribution to this target as it has the fastest growth potential up to 2020, however this would depend on the intensification of innovation efforts in solar thermal technology.
“This new document shows clearly the technological path for a future with a wide-spread use of solar energy for heating and cooling” said Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, Chairman of the Solar Thermal Technology Panel. “The awareness of politicians about the importance of solar thermal in the future energy mix must grow and a strong increase in the budget for research and development is needed.”
The key findings of the document will be discussed in depth at the 4th European Conference on Renewable Heating and Cooling
Further information:
RHC-Platform “Strategic Research Priorities” document
4th European Conference on Renewable Heating and Cooling
