Bridging the gap between European countries in energy research

In the dynamic landscape of European energy research and innovation, the PANTERA project aims to support 16 EU countries that are characterised by low R&I (research and innovation) activity.

The goal of the Pan-European Technology Energy Research Approach (PANTERA) project - a coordination support action funded by Horizon 2020 - is to create a European forum composed of Research & Innovation stakeholders active in the fields of smart grids, storage and local energy systems, including policy makers, standardisation bodies and experts, representing the EU energy system.

Enlit visited European Sustainable Energy Week and spoke to Dr Venizelos Efthymiou about the PANTERA project and the EIRIE platform, to understand their efforts to narrow the disparities in R&I funding.

Understanding the disparities

Efthymiou shed light on the stark contrast in R&I spending across European countries, with a handful spending 95% of the funds and others, referred to as ‘Widening’ countries, using a mere 5%.

The primary challenge lies in the competitiveness of EU funding programs, where strong research centres often overshadow smaller, less-established entities, even if they meet the required thresholds for success.

Venizelos Efthymiou is a speaker at the EU Project Zone at Enlit Europe 2023 in Paris.
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The role of EIRIE in empowering widening countries

Within the PANTERA project, the EIRIE platform plays a pivotal role in empowering widening countries by providing an open, multifunctional collaborative space.

The countries include Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

EIRIE acts as a bridge, connecting stakeholders in low-activity research countries with the decision-making and policy-related processes at the European level. It aims to equip researchers with comprehensive knowledge about ongoing projects, achieved results, and future plans, fostering collaboration and enabling them to participate in European Technology and Innovation Platforms (ETIPs) and working groups.

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Interviews from EUSEW 2023

A catalyst for collaboration

Efthymiou emphasised that EIRIE is not just a platform; it's a catalyst for collaboration. Through open-source principles, EIRIE allows widening countries to overcome the limitations of their organisational structures and engage with more mature research bodies.

By providing access to project results, knowledge sharing, and opportunities to participate in expert working groups, EIRIE enables researchers to enhance their capabilities and contribute meaningfully to the European research landscape.

Watch the full interview in which Efthymiou explains that, as EIRIE continues to grow and mature, the hope is to unlock the full potential of researchers in low-activity countries, contributing to a more robust and sustainable energy transition across the continent.