STOA Science and Technology Options Assessment Delegation report: Joint Research Centre (JRC) - Ispra - Italy 11 May 2012 Paul Rübig MEP, first STOA Vice-Chair, leading the delegation Malcolm Harbour MEP, second STOA Vice-Chair Lieve Van Woensel, STOA Administration (EP, DG IPOL, DIR G) The STOA delegation was welcomed by Dominique Ristori, Director-general of JRC. The visit of STOA started on Friday 11 May, at 12:00 with a lunch, on invitation by Mr. Dominique Ristori. Participants for lunch: EP: Dr. Paul Rübig MEP, Ms Maria Rübig, Mr Malcolm Harbour MEP, Ms Penelope Harbour, Lieve Van Woensel JRC: Dominique Ristori, JRC Director General; Ulla Engelmann, Head of Unit; Axel Nevens, Assistant to Director General; Urska Grahek, Administrator Elke Anklam, Director;
Dan Claudiu Chirondojan, Director; Thomas Fanghänel, Director; Stephen Lechner, Director; Guido Schmuck, Director, Andrea Saltelli, Head of Unit, Delilah Al Khudhairy, Head of Unit; Hermann Stamm, Head of Unit (the two last scientists participated at the MEP-Scientists Pairing Scheme). Group photo STOA - JRC All services visited later in the afternoon were represented during the lunch, as well as two JRC scientists which participated in STOA's MEP - Scientist pairing scheme. Visit of the JRC services During the afternoon, following the programme attached, a wide range of research units of the Joint research Centre were visited. In each department the delegation got a brief presentation of the activities. There were lively discussions between the MEPs and the scientists. Presentations by the JRC services: Food security and natural resources, G. Schmuck Scientific support for economic and financial governance, S. Lechner and A. Saltelli European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA), by S. Lechner and A. Pinto 2
Vehicle Emissions Laboratory (VELA), Electro-mobility and smart grids, by G. De Santi European Crisis Management Laboratory (ECML), S. Lechner, D. Al Khudhairy Nuclear Security - 3D Laser-based Verification System, by W. Janssens Nanobiosciences, by E. Anklam Highlights of the visit, illustrated with photo's Food security and natural resources, G. Schmuck An impressive three-dimensional presentation (on a globe), visualising earth observation for monitoring of natural resources (climate, agriculture and even air traffic). Scientific support for economic and financial governance, S. Lechner and A. Saltelli 3
Andrea Saltelli proposes to meet director Anthony Teasdale and the Heads of Units Joe Dunne and Elke Ballon, to discuss impact assessment methodologies based upon econometric models. European Laboratory for Structural Assessment (ELSA), by S. Lechner and A. Pinto The visit went along several large scale tests on structural dynamics. Amongst others, post-fukushima research focused on nuclear plant walls and their seismological resistance. Nanobiosciences, by E. Anklam Amongst others, an explanation / demonstration was given on nano-containing cosmetics. The presentations focused on safety of food and consumer products. 4
Nuclear Security - 3D Laser-based Verification System, by W. Janssens Besides the presentations on the protection of the European citizen against risks associated with the handling and storage of highly radioactive material, a demonstration was given with a practical detection tool of radiactive material in containers. Vehicle Emissions Laboratory (VELA), Electro-mobility and smart grids, by G. De Santi The VELA visit showed a lab equipped with the most advanced facilities and instrumentation, allowing the physical, chemical and toxicological characterization of the emissions from all types of transport fleet. 5
European Crisis Management Laboratory (ECML), S. Lechner, D. Al Khudhairy In the frame of Global Security & Crisis Management, JRC set up a 'control room' where a huge amount of data world-wide is monitored continuously: The European Crisis Management Laboratory acts as a research, development and test facility for ICT focused solutions which integrate devices, applications, and crisis management related information sources to support crisis management needs, such as threats analysis, common situation awareness, and collaborative decision making. It also allows distributed crisis management training across relevant services of the European Commission, as well as with partners in the EU Member States and others engaged in crisis management, thereby enhancing their awareness and confidence in the application of technological solutions to strengthen their functions in crisis management. The lab is being tested in a variety of crisis scenarios ranging from intentional threats and natural disasters to health crises. The use of visual analytics for improving information readability, visualization and effectiveness, particularly in large video screen environments, will form an integral part of the laboratory research. The Laboratory has a central role during real emergencies when the analysis of complex events requires the use of several software components to give a unique picture of the ongoing events. The MEPs suggested the JRC that it is worth investigating if the screen on the news could be linked to the EP website. Wrap-up meeting At the end of the visit, a wrap-up took place in the presence of all the JRC colleagues involved. Paul Rübig and Malcolm Harbour summarized their impressions, and the inspiration this visit brought them to enhance the cooperation between the STOA Panel and the JRC. 6
During this closing session there were lively discussions on how the research carried out in JRC might serve STOA, and on new topics which could be considered for the organisation of STOA Workshops in the Parliament, with the cooperation of JRC, and for STOA Studies with input and support of the JRC. Both the MEPs were impressed by the wealth of data and their visual presentation regarding earth observation, monitoring of natural resources, the global environment and sustainable agriculture. Paul Rübig felt especially inspired by the post-fukushima research on structural issues of nuclear installations, with the large scale structure tests and new construction materials and construction techniques for amongst others more earthquake resistant buildings. VELA, the Vehicle Emissions Laboratory (VELA), Electro-mobility and smart grids research got special attention by Mr. Harbour. Further, the demonstration of the 3D laser based verification systems for nuclear safety showed vigilant awareness regarding nuclear safety control. Mr Harbour and Mr Rübig expressed their thanks for the insight in the nanobiology activities. Especially the Control Room of the European Crisis Management Laboratory impressed the MEPs. They suggested to investigate if the news screen of the control room could be linked to the EP website. Responding to the needs of the EP Directorate for Impact Assessment, MEPs asked the JRC to share its knowledge and the models related to impact assessment. Lieve Van Woensel will bring Andrea Saltelli in contact with her director, Anthony Teasdale, for a meeting on impact assessment methods based upon the econometric modelling with him and his Heads of Unit in this area, Joe Dunne and Elke Ballon. Mr Ristori invites the MEPs to the seminar on Evidence-based policy, which will take place on 17-18 September in Ispra. Mr Harbour, who played a key role in broking agreement on the Services Directive, asked the JRC to be informed about the upcoming report of its implementation. As for the upcoming regulation, it was agreed to keep the MEPs informed about the new standards for shipping industry (the report about Smart Tamper-Evident Contained will be shortly sent to Mr Harbour) and new regulation on medical devices. Mr Rübig expressed interest to be informed about the JRC work on Danube strategy and Shale gas. Mr Harbour expressed interest to take part in European Forum for Science and Industry. An invitation will be sent to both MEPs by JRC to participate at the NOAA signature of Implementing Arrangement on 31 May. Mr Harbour informed JRC that IMCO Committee will visit Washington administration in July. Mr Rübig and Mr Harbour also confirmed their participation at the Conference on 'Scientific support for growth, jobs and sustainability: the example of the Eco- Industries', on 15 May 2012 (Paul Rübig as moderator in 'Session 4: Renewables' and Malcolm Harbour -'Conclusions and next steps'). The MEPs were also invited to the seminar on Evidence-based policy, which will take place on 17-18 September in Ispra Dominique Ristori, Director-general of JRC, recommended that STOA members also should visit other JRC research centres. Paul Rübig, leading the STOA delegation expressed his sincere thanks for the excellent organisation of the enriching visit to the selected research groups. 7
Video of the visit produced and broadcast by Europe by Satellite: http://ec.europa.eu/avservices/video/player.cfm?ref=83627 Friday 11 May, evening Friday 11 May, dinner, on invitation by Mr Dominique Ristori, JRC Director General Participants for dinner: EP: Paul Rübig MEP, Ms Maria Rübig, Malcolm Harbour MEP, Ms Penelope Harbour, Lieve Van Woensel, STOA Secretariat JRC: Dominique Ristori, JRC Director General; Ulla Engelmann, Head of Unit; Axel Nevens, Assistant to Director General; Urska Grahek, Administrator Additional meetings - Lieve Van Woensel - STOA Secretariat Friday 11 May, a.m. - Meetings for the preparation of the STOA study on technology options for feeding 10 bn people Meeting with Guido Schmuck, Director of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability of the Joint Research Centre and two 2 colleagues of the Unit Monitoring Agricultural Resources: Bettina Baruth and Stefan Niemeyer. Later in the morning I met Elke Anklam, Director of the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection in the JRC. Topic discussed: the envisaged STOA study 'Technology options for feeding 10 bn people'. There is a good potential for cooperation between STOA and the JRC. As Dr. Schmuck regularly comes to Brussels, a follow-up meeting on concrete cooperation for defining the specifications of the STOA study for the part 'Agricultural production' will be held soon. For the impact of climate change on agriculture, Guido Schmuck referred to the PESETA project (Projection of economic impacts of climate change in sectors of the European Union based on bottom-up analysis) which makes a multi-sectoral assessment of the impacts of climate change in Europe for the 2011-2040 and 2071-2100 time horizons. Although post-harvest losses are not directly investigated by JRC, Elke Anklam focuses on food waste. A further meeting on this specific area for the 'Feeding 10 bn study' is scheduled on 1 June in Brussels. Overall conclusion The visit with the delegation of the STOA Panel was very inspiring, both for the MEPs and for the STOA administrator. The JRC colleagues prepared a very suitable and well organised programme. It can be expected that new ideas for STOA workshops and studies follow and that the cooperation between STOA and the JRC will increase. The JRC mission, described in three points: 'serving society', 'stimulating innovation' and 'supporting legislation', indeed is close the STOA activities. 8
The JRC has a huge source of data which could be of high value for STOA activities. Enhancing the synergy between JRC and STOA seems obvious. A first concrete follow-up of the visit was to take steps towards a meeting on impact assessment methodologies between Andrea Saltelli and Anthony Teasdale, the Director of the new Directorate for Impact Assessment in the European Parliament. For the STOA study 'Technology options for feeding 10 billion people', the grounds were set for concrete cooperation between STOA and the JRC, in line with the cooperation agreements of 2011. 9