Assessing the impact of energy research

Assessment of the impact of research is of real importance in today's world, partly because research is known to be a key factor in future economic growth and partly because of pressures for public accountability. Aware that, in the field of energy research, Member States were taking different approaches to evaluation and impact assessment, in June 2001 the European Commission brought together an informal group of experts with the aim of gaining an idea of the current status of these activities in the EU and establishing what might be done to improve standards and achieve harmonisation. The Group, known as EREVIA (Energy Research Evaluation and Impact Assessment), held six meetings over a period of 16 months. This report is based on the Group's presentations and discussions. Interim versions were considered at each of the Group's meetings.