<p>Solar Thermal: Technology Panel of the European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling to renew its Steering Committee</p><p>Brussels, 13 May 2011 - The European Solar Thermal Technology Panel launched the selection process for a new Steering Committee at the 2nd RHC-Platform Annual Conference in Budapest.</p><p>During the Annual Conference of the RHC-Platform, its President, Gerhard Stryi-Hipp, announced that the selection process for a new Steering Committee of its European Solar Thermal Technology Panel (ESTTP) is under way from 9 May.</p><p>Since the start of its mandate in 2008, the first Steering Committee of the ESTTP has played a significant role in the achievements of the Platform so far, including the development of the Strategic Research Agenda and the enlargement of the ESTTP into the RHC-Platform.</p><p>This is why it is of paramount importance to ensure that a transparent and effective selection process takes place, based on a full and fair representation of the sector. This process will be concluded by 15 June 2011, when a new Steering Committee will be appointed and a first meeting scheduled.</p><p>The deadline for applications is 27 May 2011. Interested applicants can find all relevant information, including selection criteria and application form at www.rhc-platform.org</p><p>About the ESTTP The European Solar Thermal Technology Platform (ESTTP) was launched on 21 June 2005. This was a major step to advance the development of solar thermal technology. As early as 2006, the ESTTP formulated its 2030 vision for low-tem- perature solar thermal, the outcome was the publication at the end of 2008 of a Strategic Research Agenda "Solar Heating and Cooling for a Sustainable Ener- gy Future in Europe". This document, developed by over 100 experts, sets out the research programme and infrastructure needed if solar thermal is to supply 50% of the heating and cooling energy demand in Europe. In 2009 the ESTTP was enlarged to become the European Technology Platform on Renewable Heat- ing and Cooling. Therefore, ESTTP now refers to the Solar Thermal Technology Panel of this enlarged Platform which now also includes other renewable tech- nologies About the European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating and Cooling The European Technology Platform on Renewable Heating & Cooling (RHC-Plat- form) brings together industry, research and policy stakeholders from the biomass, geothermal and solar thermal sectors to determine a common strategy for increasing the use of renewable energy technologies in heating and cooling.</p><p>Building on the experience acquired since 2005 within the European Solar Ther- mal Technology Platform (ESTTP), now incorporated in the RHC-Platform, four major European organisations – EUREC, AEBIOM, EGEC and ESTIF – are spearheading the development of a common Vision and a Strategic Research Agenda for the renewable heating and cooling sector in Europe.</p><p>The RHC-Platform, officially endorsed by the European Commission since Octo- ber 2008, is playing a decisive role in maximising synergies and strengthening ef- forts towards research, development and technological innovation which will con- solidate Europe’s leading position in the sector.</p><p>About European Technology Platforms European Technology Platforms represent a framework for stakeholders, led by industry, to define research and development priorities, timeframes and action plans on a number of strategically important issues. They also play a key role in ensuring an adequate focus of research funding on areas with a high degree of industrial relevance, by covering the whole economic value chain and by mobilis- ing public authorities at national and regional levels.</p><p>Press contacts:</p><p>Theresa Doetsch Simone Landolina Tel: +32 2 546 19 89 Tel: +32 2 546 19 43 [email protected] [email protected]</p><p> c/o EUREC Agency Renewable Energy House Rue d'Arlon 63-67 B-1040 Brussels Belgium</p><p>Tel: +32 2 546 19 30 E-mail: [email protected]</p>