Links

Report: ALTENER AL/2002/157: REACT - Renewable Energy Action

Download the REACT Brochure (744 KB PDF)

The Challenge

As renewable energy technologies move out of the research and demonstration phase into the market deployment phase, the complexity of policies that provide adequate support is increasing considerably. Actual market development can depend on a multitude of factors, has impacts on many parts of society and economy and thus requires a highly differentiated policy approach. A comprehensive inventory of successful cases of energy technology deployment conducted by the IEA shows, that "smart policies" can actually stimulate full-scale market deployment at low costs. Case studies presented in this study show, that programs taking a market transformation approach may cost less than 10% of subsidy based programs with a comparable effect. The challenge is to raise awareness and communicate successful approaches of "smart policies" in a political ambience preferring simple, straightforward and sectorally segmented solutions.

Scope of the project

The REACT-project analyses the relation between actual deployment of Renewable Energy based on the extensive monitoring activities initiated by the Commission and the applied policies. It stimulates discussion on best practices in market development policies and contributes to a learning process that will enhance their effectiveness. Sharing highly successful examples as the deployment of solar collectors in Austria, biomass Combined Heat and Power in Sweden, green energy sales in the Netherlands, wind energy in Spain etc., will contribute to improving the transition towards accelerated implementation of RE. The project is targeted at supporting innovative policies that exceed the classical instruments of R&D funding, financial incentives and regulatory measures and typically take the form of integrated programs. It is designed to provide an informal platform that communicates best practices in RE policies actively, both towards the commission and to the Member States.

Goal

Develop innovative, nationally adapted policies and programs for a faster and more cost effective market transformation towards Renewable Energy use.

Expected Results

Assessment of the member state policy instruments in use, based on an analysis of market development.
Identification of successful transition management approaches stimulating RES in the heat, electricity and biofuel market.
Share the know-how on successful measures that have led to market transformation with the relevant stakeholders and the European Commission.
Adaptation of these approaches to the national circumstances in the context of national workshops with stakeholders and policy makers.
In the end, each country will be provided with innovative, nationally adapted measures and policies for a faster and more cost-effective market transformation.

Participants

The participants are the national agencies in the Member States. These agencies are at a national level involved in the monitoring of implementation of RE and energy conservation.They are often also involved in the development of RE policies and co-operate closely with market actors. Thus they are in the best possible position to carry out the project and to communicate its results to the relevant audiences.

Keywords