What is the RFCS Programme?

Transcription

1 Introduction to the the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) Michel Andrieu Deputy Head of Unit DG RTD Directorate Energy 1 What is the RFCS Programme? 1. Overview 2. Practical aspects for applicants 3.Evaluation Procedure 4. Useful tips & weblinks 2 1

2 What is the RFCS Programme? 1. Overview 3 The ECSC Treaty The ECSC Treaty 1952 European Coal and Steel Community Treaty (ECSC) Duration: 50 years 4 2

3 5 The decisions : to transfer the ECSC assets to the European Community to create the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) are enshrined in a Protocol to the Treaty WHY the RFCS Programme? A SMART FINANCIAL DESIGN 1 February 2003: creation of the RFCS Assets left in 2002 at the expiry of the European Coal Steel Community Treaty (ECSC) : ~ 1600 Million The management of these ECSC assets results in yearly returns (~60 M ) now used to support industrial R&D in the coal & Steel This R&D support is cost-free for the EU tax-payer! 6 3

4 WHAT is the RFCS Programme? A research programme with a budget of ~60M /year Promoting industrial research in the field of Coal & Steel Open & continuous call for proposals Deadline: 15 September of each year Steel 72.8% ~ 44 M /y ~ 16 M /y RFCS funding allocation Separate from the FP yet closely co-ordinated & complementary Coal 27.2% 7 RFCS research priorities - Coal Improving the competitive position of Community Coal Health and Safety in Mines Efficient protection of the Environment & improvement of the use of coal as a clean energy source 8 Management of external dependence on energy supply 4

5 RFCS research priorities - Steel New and improved steel making & finishing techniques RTD and the utilisation of steel Conservation of resources and improvement of working conditions 9 RFCS Programme Management The Commission COSCO CAG/SAG Technical Groups Programme Committee Representatives of the Member States (1) Coal / Steel Advisory Group Senior Experts (2) 12 Technical Groups Highly qualified experts for project monitoring & review (2) 10 + independent Evaluation Experts for selection of projects 2) (1) Appointed by the Member States (2) Appointed by the EC 5

6 Project monitoring is ensured by Technical Groups appointed by the EC The scientific monitoring (review) is based on a peer review mechanism Technical Group consist of highly qualified experts appointed by the Commission Every year project co-ordinators present the progress & results of their project to a Technical Group 11 3 Coal Technical Groups (TGC) TGC 1 SOURCING TGC2 CONVERSION TGC3 COMBUSTION Coal mining Coal preparation Clean & efficient coal combustion Mine infrastructure & Mgt. Coal gasification Carbon management strategies CO 2 geol. storage Hydrogen from coal CO 2 capture Underground gasification Synfuels Zero emissions & high efficient PG CBM, ECBM, Co-combustion coal & biomass/waste CHP from coal 35% 22% 43% 12 Average RFCS funding allocation for COAL projects ( ) 6

7 9 Technical Groups for Steel (TGS) TGS 1: Ore agglomeration and iron making TGS 2: Steel making processes TGS 3: Casting, reheating and direct rolling TGS 4: Hot and cold rolling processes TGS 5: Finishing and coating TGS 6: Physical metallurgy and design of new generic steel grades TGS 7: Steel products and applications for automobiles, packaging and home appliances TGS 8: Steel products and applications for building, construction and industry TGS 9: Factory-wide control, social and environmental issues 13 Component Test Facility advanced materials 20,000h testing July 2004 Dec 2009 Host Plant: E-ON Scholven F, Gelsenkirchen (D) Budget: 15.2M 57% by power producers 40% by RFCS 3% by equipment suppliers Final Objective: η > 50% Coal Power Plant 14 A flagship project - Coal: COMTES700 Component Test Facility for a Power Plant operating at700 C 7

8 A flagship project - Steel: : ULCOS EC support to ULCOS is twofold: 5.1 Million from RFCS 20 Million from RTDFP THYSSEN, AirLiquide, Arcelor, BFI, Corus, CRM, Kuttner, LKAB, Paul Wurth, ILVA, Dillinger, Voest Alpine Objective(RFCS part): Develop a new blast furnace process route able to operate with very low CO 2 -emissions, based on drastically reduced consumption of carbon containing input materials. Preparatory work for a large size pilot demonstration unit with new CO 2 reduced iron making process 15 What is the RFCS Programme? 2. Practical Aspects 16 8

9 WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Principles of participation Any undertaking, research institute, university or natural person established in the EU No threshold & no limit on budget & consortium size Third country partners are welcomed (though not eligible for EC funding) Nota: Applicants may not be directly connected to the coal and steel industries but the objectives of the proposal has to be within the scope of the programme 17 WHAT CAN BE FUNDED? 2 main categories of proposals: Research (funding up to 60 %) Pilot & Demonstration (funding up to 40 %) Accompanying measures (1) Information exchange & dissemination activities (2) Promotion of knowledge gained [ (3) Training & mobility of researchers ] 18 9

10 What is the RFCS Programme? 3. Evaluation Procedure 19 Evaluation: 3 steps Each proposal is read and evaluated independently by 3 evaluators A meeting is convened by a Commission officer Outcome is summarised in a consensus report 20 10

11 Consensus meeting 21 5 CRITERIA SCORED 0 TO 5: Evaluation criteria 1. Scientific and technical approach Eliminating threshold : if mark < 3, proposal is rejected 2. Innovative content Eliminating threshold: if mark < 3, proposal is rejected 3. Industrial interest and scientific / technical prospects 4. Community added value and contribution to EU-Policies 5. Consistency of resources and quality of partnership 22 11

12 Bonus explanation Criterion 4 - Industrial interest, scientific/technical prospects: proposals adressing a current priority(ies) listed in the Information Package benefit from a bonus If priority (ies) addressed: scoring range 0 to 5 If no priority(ies) addressed: scoring range 0 to 4 23 The consensus meeting is meant to share views and reach agreement! 24 12

13 The consensus meeting does not lead to a blind averaging of marks : (1+3+5)/3 is not = 3! ,5 4 3,5 3 2,5 2 1,5 1 0,5 0 criteria 1 criteria 2 criteria 3 criteria 4 John Smith Helmut Muller Paolo Salieri The consensus meeting does not lead to a vote! 26 13

14 Consensus Outcome Should be an agreed text which experts believe reflects their common assessment Consequently experts should be ready to change their score to mirror their shared views The final score should reflect the agreed text! 27 A successful consensus meeting! 28 14

15 Statistics: Number of proposals received per year Total coal steel TYPICAL SUCCESS RATE approx. 30% for steel between 25% and 30% for coal 30 15

16 What is the RFCS Programme? 4. Useful tips & weblinks for applicants 31 SOME REMARKS & ADVICE TO APPLICANTS Strong competition Proposals are of high quality level Long process: start early with experienced partners! Descriptions should be short & concise Test your application via neutral proof-readers Make use of the project synopsis Where appropriate, do not hesitate to volunteer as an expert (TG or Evaluator) 32 16

17 33 Useful information on RFCS RFCS dedicated website: Information Package available as hard copies download from website Latest published technical reports: Synopsis of projects funded under the RFCS: ftp://ftp.cordis.europa.eu/pub/coal-steel-rtd/docs/synopsisrfcs_ _en.pdf Register as Technical Expert: European Steel Technology Platform (ESTEP): COMTES700 demonstration project: Should you have any further queries Please contact a Scientific Officer listed on our website We wish you every success under the RFCS programme! 34 17