National Research Programme in Energi and Environment LATENERGI (2010-2013)
The areas of scientific research in this National Research Programme offer a complex and integrated approach on the research of the interactions between the energy sector and its limiting environmental factors in Latvia. The elaboration of well-timed and high-quality scientific justifications will allow provision of practical and smart solutions for the development of the energy sector in Latvia, thus aiming towards the European Union’s priority target 20/20/20.
The research program is designed under an interdisciplinary approach for both – the directions of defined research and the implementation of the program – leading research institutions in the fields of energy systems and environmental protection in Latvia, industrial partners (companies, professional associations) and the policy makers are involved.
University of Latvia, Institute of Solid State Physics (UL ISSP) is participating in LATENERGI (2014-2017) program with research about hydrogen introduction in Latvia as carbon free fuel for transport and co-generation in stationary applications. LU ISSP is the only research institution within Latvia, where a Hydrogen Energy Materials Laboratory has been running from 2007. Researches are examining hydrogen energy materials and technologies in all areas of hydrogen energy sectors - for hydrogen production, storage, usage in fuel cells and applications in vehicles and stationary power generation. The Hydrogen Laboratory is interdisciplinary and combines researchers from various science directions and was created when the National Research Programs started – in 2007. The international assessment of the scientific institutions in Latvia in 2013 concluded that “The ISSP is a leading Latvian centre in modern technology and materials research, combined with high-level education”. Within this program the UL ISSP will work on such tasks:
1. To develop innovative technologies of hydrogen production from renewable resources (corresponds to 5th Task under the NRP guidelines).
2. To develop the methods for the quality and safety control for hydrogen storage and use, in order to promote the use of hydrogen in transport in Latvia (corresponds to 5th Task under the NRP guidelines).