Research stakes for energy transition

The energy transition has been on the political agenda for a good ten years now and its main objectives will be embedded in a law which will be passed, in 2014, by Parliament in France. Most energy issues (energy savings, the emergence of renewable energy, the future of nuclear power, etc.) call scientific and technical developments and R and D should certainly play a key role to overcome the major technical obstacles which block future breakthroughs. After recalling the conclusions of scenarios for energy demand in 2050, which take into account the necessity of curbing greenhouse gases emissions (the main cause of climate change), we review the main issues which R and D should address in the short and long term: developing new materials for solar energy, smart grids, batteries for electricity storage, new catalysts for fuel cells, processes for the production of biofuels, nuclear fuels for a new generation of reactors, metal recycling. R and D should be considered as a key player in a long-term energy strategy which calls for prospective views. (author)