Brussels, 28/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 28 October, the European Commission announced the initiative of leading research institutes in the European Union (EU) to found the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA). The alliance aims to expand and optimise EU energy research capabilities through the sharing of world-class national facilities and the joint realisation of national and European programmes. This new alliance will contribute to accelerating development of new low carbon technologies for the EU to move toward a low carbon economy. In a press release, EU Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potoènik was pleased to announce that “the development of cutting-edge energy technologies requires the pooling of the best brains and resources beyond national borders. The creation of the European Energy Research Alliance that will coordinate national and European energy research programmes is a crucial step forwards”. In November 2007, the European Commission launched the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan), which intends to provide a strong boost to energy research in Europe. (B.C./transl.rh)