DNV opens thought-provoking debate in Brussels
on global megatrends challenging sustainability
13 September 2011
Brussels: Technology Outlook 2020 provides a view of the technology solutions for the next decade. DNV’s outlook points at mega-trends analysed on the basis of population, economy, governance, natural resources production and consumption.
“The European Union plays a leading role in setting the course towards resource efficiency in many of the critical areas,” Elisabeth Harstad, Managing Director of DNV’s Research and Innovation Unit, said presenting the report in Brussels. “We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we have based our opinions on our expertise and competence, and we are here to exchange views with industry and EU policy-makers.”
DNV’s research has been carried out in selected areas of particular relevance to the EU’s agenda, including safe offshore drilling technologies, smart and safe energy production and distribution, carbon capture and storage, and green-ship technologies.
Safe offshore drilling technologies
Having taken note of Technology Outlook 2020, Vicky Ford (MEP) commented: “we already know that a one size fits all approach to safety is inappropriate for offshore drilling activities. DNV's prediction that operations will become yet more diverse means that companies and regulators will need to work together even more closely to identify and mitigate site specific risk.”
In view of the European Parliament’s Report on facing the challenges of the safety of offshore oil and gas activities to be adopted in plenary this week, Vicky Ford said, “continued investment in innovative ways to rapidly cap, contain and clean-up potential spills will also be vital.”
Smart and safe energy production and distribution
While traditional sources like coal, gas, hydro and nuclear produce stable power generation, the future power systems will have to manage the variability and uncertainty in output from renewable energy sources like wind and solar. New grid solutions and energy storage will be essential elements in future power systems.
"With its 'Technology Outlook 2020' project, DNV provides ample insight into what Europe needs in terms of technologies and solutions to meet major societal challenges, notably in the energy field. To me, one of the things that stands out is the need for more efficient and smart energy production, distribution and usage by focusing on smarts grids and renewable energy. We need thinking along the lines provided by DNV to get this moving, " Francisco Sosa-Wagner (MEP) said in response to the report.
Carbon capture and storage
Technology Outlook 2020 also touches upon the need to establish commercially viable CCS solutions. The CCS Project Network fosters knowledge sharing amongst the demonstration projects and aims to raise public understanding of the potential of CCS. Established by the European Commission, this body accelerates learning and ensures CCS can safely fulfil its potential, both in the EU and in cooperation with global partners. DNV has assisted the European Commission in the knowledge sharing aspect of this network since 2009, and in parallel, DNV has developed of a methodology for the selection and qualification of CCS sites (www.dnv/CO2qualstore)
“CCS technology is already proven and will get both more efficient and less expensive as it is applied on a large scale. But it will become commercially attractive only if policy-makers ensure that a price has to be paid for carbon emissions that reflects the need to combat global warming," said CCS Rapporteur Chris Davies (MEP).
Green-ship technologies
DNV recognises that the EU has a strong maritime technology base which may hold many of the solutions for future green solutions in the shipping sector. The European Commission, in its White Paper on the Future of Transport has set very ambitious emissions reductions targets for the maritime industry. DNV Technology Outlook 2020 points out that great potential lies in alternative fuels and energy efficient solutions.
Finnish MEP, Ville Itälä following closely the developments in the Baltic Sea region, commented, “technological advances in the field of sustainable transport are much called for, especially in light of the IMO's upcoming sulphur emissions limits. New innovations like hybrid ships and marine fuel cells are an encouraging way forward in protecting the Baltic Sea's fragile ecosystem.”
Conclusion
Concluding on the key summary points, Ms Harstad said, “There is little of that which will characterise society in 2020 that is not already in the labs or on the drawing boards. Technology developments take long slow steps. Technology evolution is more likely than revolution, but we can expect the technology to be used in new areas. In order to facilitate technology uptakes, close cooperation between policy makers, industry and research will be vital”.
DNV press release