Title: Establishment of a European energy policy think-tank: necessity or luxury?

Authors: H. Doukas, A. Flamos, C. Karakosta, J. Psarras

Addresses: Management and Decision Support Systems Laboratory (EPU-NTUA), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9, Iroon Polytechniou Str., 157 80, Athens, Greece. ' Department of Industrial Management, University of Piraeus (UNIPI), 80, Karaoli and Dimitriou Str., 18534, Piraeus, Greece. ' Management and Decision Support Systems Laboratory (EPU-NTUA), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9, Iroon Polytechniou Str., 157 80, Athens, Greece. ' Management and Decision Support Systems Laboratory (EPU-NTUA), School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 9, Iroon Polytechniou Str., 157 80, Athens, Greece

Abstract: A new research agenda and ground breaking approaches should be adopted in order to overcome energy system inertia and pass through the current carbon constrained economy to new prosperous and more sustainable energy development paths. The wide consensus of the energy sector community (business, academic, policy, etc.) is considered a necessity for the success of such a challenging undertake. In this respect, the creation and operation of a European strategic energy think-tank (EU-SENT²) could play a catalytic role. This paper following an overview of EU energy policy critical issues presents the principles of the EU-SENT² and compares four main think-tank typologies. The paper focuses on |domains of think-tank|s independence| – funding, agenda setting, ideology and research – on the mission and core values of a European energy think-tank. After discussing on the applicability of alternative typologies for a European energy think-tank, its management structure and basic principals and procedures are described.

Keywords: climate change; decision support; energy markets; competitiveness; energy technoeconomics; think tanks; typologies; management structure; energy supply; sustainable development; sustainable energy; sustainability; energy strategy; energy policy; European energy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2010.036958

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2010 Vol.33 No.3/4, pp.221 - 238

Received: 23 Nov 2009
Accepted: 27 Jul 2010
Published online: 18 Nov 2010 *

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