Low carbon and Sustainable by 2050 requires substantial investment in energy breakthroughs now

Without some substantial breakthroughs, we will not succeed in making our energy supply sustainable. That is why the government needs to put more effort into energy innovation. In doing so, the Netherlands can also seize economic opportunities. This is stated by the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI) in its advisory report 'Pick it up and carry on', which was recently presented to Minister Kamp of Economic Affairs. This is in line with the observations from the symposia from the KIVI programme EnergyNL2050.

AWTI president Uri Rosenthal: Currently, a lot of money goes to small steps. Billions are spent annually on subsidising the production of green energy, for example to keep windmills running. With that, we achieve 16% renewable energy in 2023.

If the Netherlands wants to have a sustainable energy supply by 2050, a lot of substantial breakthroughs are really still needed. But the budget for energy innovation is limited: 200 million. Moreover, this is hardly ever spent on research into such major breakthroughs. This is why the AWTI argues for more attention to innovation in energy policy. That policy should stimulate and direct innovation argues Tim van der Hagen, chairman of the Executive Board of TU Delft and AWTI member.

Moreover, the government should free up extra money for energy innovation. The budget should be increased to 400 - 450 million euro per year, and our advice is to use that extra money primarily to achieve a number of breakthroughs. For innovations that suit the Netherlands well. That is also where the economic opportunities lie. An example of such a breakthrough is the direct production of fuels using sunlight (solar fuels). Focusing on a number of breakthroughs also means making choices, says Van der Hagen. The Netherlands must dare to make choices around energy innovation. In the advice, the AWTI indicates how the government can best make this consideration. AWTI press release, 1 December 2016. The advice is"Oppakken en Doorpakken" can be downloaded or via www.awti.nl.

For more information, please contact Hamilcar Knops (project leader; 06 25 63 71 78, H.Knops@awti.nl). The AWTI is an independent advisory board for government and parliament. Its advice deals with science, technology and innovation policy and is strategic in nature. AWTI members come from knowledge institutions and industry. They serve in a personal capacity, as does the KIVI Team EnergyNl2050.

Also available for download is the KIVI EnergyNL2050 Newsletter with the programme and meetings in 2016 and 2017

Set up by KIVI Department of Electrical Engineering with the cooperation of renowned parties, this programme addresses the integral energy demand, renewed energy and sets up a scenario for making the energy supply in the Netherlands more sustainable.