Collaborative Natural Gas R and D in Europe - The GERG Approach

Natural gas is and will continue to be a major contributor to the energy requirements and the well-being of Europe for many decades to come. R and D is essential to this and will ensure the continued availability and efficient use of this precious resource and, although the gas industry is mature, it is imperative that it develops the latest technology to be in a position to adapt to new and changing requirements. GERG is a unique European network to create R and D projects and innovation in the gas industry to help ensure that the gas industry remains a leader in collaborative research. The gas industry is clearly a serious contributor to the European Energy vision and as Europe is facing major energy challenges it will need contributions from all stakeholders if it is to succeed, as acknowledged in the European Commission's Strategic Energy Technology (SET) plan. GERG will have a key role to play if the European gas industry is to progress and, to succeed, it must continue to provide a forum for high quality information and exchange, to ensure that flexible mechanisms exist for shared cost and shared risk R and D activities and to be the voice of natural gas R and D in Europe, and its interface.