FACTBOX: EU seeks to take lead in green energy research

(Reuters) - The European Union's executive launched its strategy for promoting hi-tech solutions to climate change on Thursday, aiming to give European businesses a head start as the world switches to low-carbon energy.

Below is a summary of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan.

WIND ENERGY

The windpower industry needs 6 billion euros for research over the next decade. It must reduce costs faster and build more wind farms offshore where the wind is more reliable.

This will require up to 10 new testing facilities for turbine components, up to 10 demonstration projects of next generation turbines and at least 5 prototypes of offshore substructures.

The goal is fully competitive wind power capable of contributing up to 20 percent of EU electricity by 2020 and a third by 2030. Over 250,000 jobs could be created.

SOLAR POWER

The overall solar sector needs 16 billion euros for research over the next decade.

The photovoltaic sector must reduce costs and speed up manufacturing. This will require up to 5 pilot plants for automated mass production and several demonstration projects for both decentralized and centralized power production.

The concentrated solar power sector must reduce costs, improve system efficiency and develop storage systems. Up to 10 large "first of a kind" power plants must be built.

The programme envisages that up to 15 percent of EU electricity could be generated by solar power in 2020. Over 200,000 skilled jobs could be created.

POWER GRID

Electricity networks need 2 billion euros of research funds over the next decade.

The focus will be on building "smart grids" that can balance the fluctuating supply of electricity from renewable energy sources with fluctuating consumption by EU citizens. Up to 20 real-life scale demonstration projects will be needed.

The goal is that by 2020, half of networks in Europe would allow the seamless integration of renewable energy.

SMART CITIES