Activities
One of the main activities of ESTELA and its members is to collaborate with EU Institutions to develop solar thermal electricity and its industry in Europe and abroad.
Another core activity in close collaboration with the academia is to produce and co-ordinate studies on scientific, technical, economic, legal or policy issues to further develop solar thermal electricity technologies.
Finally, ESTELA considers of paramount importance to raise awareness by disseminating information about solar thermal electricity and the European Association through means of organising meetings, workshops, conferences and other events to promote solar thermal electricity.
ESTELA builds its activities on 3 pillars:
Policy
ESTELA follows all legislative processes in the EU to ensure the support and defence the interests of the STE industry.
ESTELA also provides advice and assistance to policy makers in the EU and Mediterranean countries.
By joining ESTELA, you will be directly involved in the policy, promotion and development of solar thermal electricity.
The key issues of concern are:
« Renewable Energy Sources: RES Directive implementation; including evolution of national compulsory targets.
« Climate Change and the environment: Emission Trading Scheme Directive.
« Third Energy Package: Liberalisation of the electricity market and Trans European electricity networks.
« Research and development: The new RTD Programme, Horizon 2014-2020 and European Solar Industrial Initiative (SET-Plan), including Mediterranean Solar Plan.
« Financing of the EU and Mediterranean Region: Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, including Structural Funds Regulations, etc., and support programmes of the development banks.
What we do:
« We follow up all legislative processes in the EU.
« We provide up-to-date internal-exclusive policy reports.
« We publish and distribute online information on the updates about EU and Mediterranean policy issues relevant to your business.
« We provide expert-advices to the working groups, to the European Commission, to the EU Parliament and to the Mediterranean countries.
« We provide relevant references and best practices on policy issues and programmes.
Research and Innovation
Support to research and innovation under EU programmes is at the core business of ESTELA in order to foster the market penetration of solar thermal power plants and to consolidate the leadership of European industry at world level. ESTELA also fully supports R&D initiatives in the Mediterranean region. In 2011, ESTELA stepped further by creating the Scientific and Technical Committee that assisted the STE industry to build a Strategic Research Agenda for 2020-2025 which has been published and distributed widely.
What we do:
« We elaborate the Strategic Research Agenda and keep on updating it.
« We provide and disseminate up-to-date research studies concerning solar thermal electricity developments, market and sector.
Communication and Dissemination
Disseminating work progress, updated information concerning solar thermal electricity and ESTELA activities is one of the top priorities of ESTELA. Joining ESTELA will keep you up-to-date on the latest policy, business and technology developments. We also produce a wide range of internal-exclusive policy reports which are regularly distributed to members and made available in the “Members’ Only” of the website.
What we do:
« We hold General Assembly and Members’ Meetings to inform members about updates of policy issues and to provide an opportunity for networking and sharing among members.
« We organise annual STE Industry Forum, Summer Workshop and dedicated Workshops devoted mainly to members in order to provide unique opportunity to meet other stakeholders, to debate and build up STE Industry policy positions, as well as to make your views known to others.
« We elaborate supporting documents, such as road maps and position papers, to address to decision makers.
« We publish and distribute online information on the updates about EU policy issues relevant to your business.
« We provide up-to-date internal policy reports available at “Members’ only” corner.
« We gather members and participate in lively and innovative debates at international events, such as SolarPACES, enabling members to voice their opinions on a range of hot topics and share expertise experience.
« We offer personal and web-based opportunities to meet up with other ESTELA members.
« We provide a compilation of international direct online news.
« We can also offer meeting facilities to Members at their request at the core of EU Institutions headquarters.
