SET 11: EERA Chair and Personal Representative (PR) in EERA ExCo 2018 - 2020

The overall objective of the EERA ExCo participation is to ensure Norwegian representation in the EERA ExCo (through SINTEF) and the associated SET Plan governance interaction, to promote Norwegian energy-focused research interests in Europe and participation of Norwegian research actors, particularly now during the crucial phase of the SET (Strategic Energy Technology) Plan, which is transitioning from its planning phase to the implementation phase and from H2020 to Horizon Europe.

Thanks to the resources made available by the MVO instrument, Norway through Nils Røkkes and Petter Støas substantial engagement in central EERA positions, has made it possible to take part in lifting and shaping EERA into one of the most central Alliances from the RTO side with respect to actively being an actor in shaping Horizon Europe within the renewable energy area. With active backing and participation from other Norwegian stakeholders it ensures that Norwegian positions are head as EU is shaping its future. It has also contributed in general to a better understanding of the opportunities for Norwegian actors in the framework program and related activities in Norway, shown by increased Norwegian participation. The Norwegian shadow group run by Forskningsrådet is important in this respect.

The main activities of the EERA Chair and PR are listed below: 1. Preparing and leading ExCo meetings 2. A yearly Summer strategy meeting (SSM) with ExCo, Joint Program Coordinators (JPC), and SEC 3. Preparing and leading ExCoop meetings 4. Attending SET Plan Steering Group Meeting (SG) as observer and reporting EERA progress 5. Attending and presenting EERA at the yearly SET Plan Conference 6. Meeting High Level Com leaders in DG RTD, ENERGY and CONNECT to discuss and agree on EERA role, actions and expectations 7. Tour of EERA Joint Programmes to get to know the strategic relevance of each programme and to facilitate cross-cutting projects, especially in response to the Mission Oriented Policy (MOP) of the coming FP9. 8. PR meetings in advance of ExCo meetings to prepare agenda priorities The main activities linking the EERA Chair and PR work to Norwegian actors regarding sharing information and windows of opportunities. The information shared is mainly on a strategy and policy level, the interaction with the JPs and Norwegian actors participating in them handles the project level: 1. Regular information sharing and discussions with NorCore 2. Information sharing and discussion with Norwegian leaders of the international and renewable energy field 3. Regular information sharing and discussions with the Norwegian Industry representatives in Brussel 4. Dedicated Webinars on EERA between the SINTEF's Brussels office and Norwegian actors based in Norway. 5. Participation in the Norwegian network for research and innovation' actors in Brussels co-led by NorCore 6. Participation in the Norwegian Reference Group for SET-Plan and the H2020 Working Programme on Energy 7. Contribution to the H2020 newsletters distributed regularly by the Research Council