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International Science Panel on Renewable Energies

Today’s dominant energy sources (fossil fuels, and to a lesser extent, nuclear, large hydro, and ‘traditional’ biomass) will undoubtedly continue to be a significant component of the overall energy mix for the foreseeable future. But it modern renewable energy technologies are playing an increasingly important role. Small-scale, decentralized energy systems (including for example, solar and wind power, small-hydro, geothermal, and clean biomass technologies) offer more environmentally benign ways to meet the world’s growing energy needs, and also provide new opportunities for bringing energy services to remote areas, and for placing technological choices more directly in consumers’ hands.

A significant, sustained commitment to investment in energy research and development (R&D) is a vital component of a long-term strategy to meet the world’s energy needs. Currently, renewable energy technologies account for < 10 % of total government energy R&D funding, and nearly all of this work is carried out by just a few industrialized nations. While some regional-level R&D networks exist (mostly notably in Europe) there is little coordination among R&D programmes and institutions on a global basis, especially with developing countries. Renewable energy R&D strategies and institutional structures tend to be highly fragmented among competing interests of different energy technologies. This situation makes it difficult for policymakers to obtain objective, coherent advice about sound investment strategies that look across the full spectrum of technological options. There is clearly a need for building more international-level mechanisms of assessment and analysis, for ensuring effective cross-fertilization among existing R&D programmes, and for strengthening R&D capabilities in places where they are currently underdeveloped.

To help meet these needs, ICSU initiated planning in 2005 for an International Science Panel on Renewable Energies (ISPRE). With financial support from the German government, an ad hoc Planning Group was convened to develop a proposal for ISPRE. This proposal was subsequently approved by the ICSU Executive Board, and by the two other international organizations that the Planning Group had recommended as co-sponsors: the Renewable Energy Policy Network (www.REN21.net), and the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (www.CAETS.org).

The Science Panel was established after consultation with Members, in January 2007. Its first activity is to carry out an assessment of the global status of R&D in 3 areas: Biomass, photovoltaic and wind.

• Proposal for an International Science Panel on Renewable Energies (ISPRE)
• ISPRE membership and Terms of reference
• ISPRE website