The SET Plan implementation plans set out the research and innovation (R&I) activities needed to undertake the SET Plan’s 10 key actions, divided into six domains. Implementation plans are crucial for achieving EU targets for low carbon technologies and they are carried out by Implementation Working Groups (IWGs). The IWGs are in charge of enabling, promoting, facilitating and monitoring the execution of the identified R&I activities. Private stakeholders, industry and research organisations are encouraged to participate in the R&I activities via the European Technology and Innovation Platforms (ETIPs) and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA).
The activities of each IWG benefit from continued liaison and support with other EU R&I initiatives such as the energy technology innovation platforms (ETIPs), coordination and support actions (CSA) and ERA-NET under the HORIZON 2020 programme. The table below provides an overview of the landscape supporting the IWGs.
The Implementation Working Groups are listed in alphabetical order.
SET Plan – success stories
Batteries Europe
In 2019, the European Commission launched the European Technology and Innovation (ETIP) on batteries – Batteries Europe. The platform aims to speed up the establishment of a globally competitive European battery industry, driving the implementation of battery-related R&I actions of the SET Plan and the Strategic Transport Research and Innovation Agenda.
The Strategic Research Agenda (SRA), released in December 2020, identifies both the long-term and short-term R&I needs for battery technology. It addresses several issues across the value chain, including the new and emerging technologies, education, skills, sustainability, and safety. Batteries Europe is currently managing the Batteries Implementation Working Group.
Horizon 2020 Smart Cities Lighthouse cluster
The H2020 Smart Cities Lighthouse cluster brings 18 large-scale smart city projects, involving 115 cities, together with research institutions, industries and small businesses to make our cities smarter and more liveable. They benefited specifically from collaborating with the SET Plan IWG 3.2 on positive energy districts.
IWG successes during the SET Plan report 2020
The European Green Deal is reshaping the European clean energy R&I agenda. As a result, the IWGs are:
- revising their implementation plans to align current work with the European Green Deal's ambitions
- adapting and reacting to the evolving policy and technology scenarios
- setting new targets
- updating activities
- expanding the scope of their work by including new sectors.
Overall, the IWGs reported more than 1,203 R&I collaborative projects in the EU in 2020, mobilising over €13.2 billion.