Project Websites

Biomass Futures
Given the coherent and ambitious policy targets but being aware of the risks and underlying uncertainties within the biomass sector as well as the energy one (security of supply, scarcity of resources, etc.) this project will aims to quantify demand and supply dynamics and the impacts of sustainability criteria plus criteria on indirect land use change, water, soil and social aspects across sectors. The Project will assess the role biomass can play in meeting the EU policy targets Develop info packages for each stakeholder category: inform and support policy makers at European and National level and generate information for the role of biomass which will be taken into account in the formation on NAPs Enhance dialogue with specific target groups and initiatives (e.g. BAP)

Crops2Industry
The ultimate objective of this project is to explore the potential of non-food crops, which can be domestically grown in EU27 context, for selected industrial applications, namely oils, fibers, resins, pharmaceuticals and other specialty products and outline and prioritise crops-to-products schemes, suitable for the different Member States, which will support sustainable, economic viable and competitive European bio-based industry and agriculture. The expected output of this project will be to identify the whether and under which terms Europe has the potential and the technical competence to develop a competitive bio-industry fed by a sustainable agriculture.

EcoTopTen ' Innovations for Sustainable Consumption Patterns
EcoTopTen is a campaign to promote sustainable products and sustainable consumption patterns. In concert with the Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISER), we are carrying out market analyses, product innovation schemes and consumption research to identify innovative products. EcoTopTen products are of high quality, are appropriately and affordably priced and have, of course, minimum environmental impact. Starting in March 2005, the Institute will launch a major consumer information campaign to raise awareness of EcoTopTen products and the options for their sustainable use. This campaign is scheduled to run until the end of 2006.

EcoTransIT
The Ecological Transport Information Tool (EcoTransIT) calculates environmental impacts of any freight transport. Thereby it is possible to determine the energy consumption, CO2 and exhaust emissions transported by rail, road, ship and aircraft in any combination. EcoTransIT is free of charge for any non-commerical use.

ELV Evaluation Study
This study seeks to provide evidence to assess whether the objectives of Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles (ELV) have been met, whether its provisions are sufficiently implemented and whether, as a result of both aspects, the ELV-Directive supports the general objectives of the EU’s environmental policy.

ESTEEM
is a toolbox for sustainable energy projects. It was developed in the Create Acceptance project (EU 518351) to help projects implementing innovative new energy technologies to deal with societal acceptance issues.

E-TRACK: A European Tracking System for Electrictiy
The E-TRACK project will investigate the feasibility of a harmonised standard for tracking electricity in Europe. The project will provide a detailed insight into the requirements for the design and operation of tracking systems, which are set by European and Member States legislation as well as by market participants. A major result of the project will be a blueprint of a European standard for tracking electricity, which will cover technical aspects (e.g. database and interface specifications) and non-technical issues, such as institutions and processes involved.

GECKO
The project "Use of deep geothermal energy for a climate neutral heat (GECKO)" led by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) includes three sub-projects, of which the first focuses at natural and engineering science, whereas the second and third approach the subject in a socio-scientific way. All three sub-projects work together in an interdisciplinary manner. The transdisciplinarity approach refers to the concept development of the use of deep geothermal energy at Campus North with the local population and employees of KIT. The KIT Campus North is located on the largest known thermal anomaly in Germany with approx. 170 ° C at a depth of 3 km.

PROSA - Product Sustainability Assessment
A key task of modern corporate management is to develop products in a sustainable fashion, taking not only economic aspects into account, but also environmental and social ones. Oeko-Institut ' Institute for Applied Ecology ' has developed a method to solve this task: PROSA, Product Sustainability Assessment. PROSA facilitates the strategic analysis of product portfolios, products and services. The method is similarly suited for applications in integrated product policy and in dialogue processes. A major project is currently in progress to refine the methodology and align it with related international approaches.

RE-DISS project
The RE-DISS project aimed at improving significantly the reliability and accuracy of the information given to consumers of electricity in Europe regarding the origin of the electricity they are consuming. Such information is given to all consumers through the regime of electricity source disclosure, which is a requirement on all European suppliers of electricity.

Renewbility
In the research project "renewbility - Material Flow Analysis for Sustainable Mobility in the Context of Renewable Energy until 2030" - financially supported by the Bundesumweltministerium (Ministry of environment) the material flow analysis will be used to determine and qualify the economical and ecological effects on various scenarios of mobility. It describes the process of the life cycle of demand, including the expenses for production and distribution, and use of resources. It also determines the effects on employment.

Strategic Dialogue on Sustainable Raw Materials for Europe (STRADE)
The “Strategic Dialogue on Sustainable Raw Materials for  Europe” (STRADE) addresses the long-term security and  sustainability of the European raw material supply from  European and non-European countries.