Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 15 October 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 17 October 2008. It was answered by Sion Simon (Labour) on Thursday, 23 October 2008 on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Energy Technologies Institute

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how projects funded by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) are selected; what independent assessment is undertaken of applications for funding; and what evaluation is undertaken of the value for money of ETI funding.

Answer: The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) commissions technology projects that have the capability, when subsequently deployed, to reduce CO2 emissions and provide reliable, affordable energy. The ETI engages in a wide consultation process to identify the key project areas where ETI funding would make a substantial impact. These project areas are then published on the ETI website, and potential project consortia are invited to respond. Detailed technical proposals are assessed by selection panels of specialists, independent of the proposal. The value for money of a project is decided on the basis of a number of factors including the CO2 impact and the provision of affordable and reliable energy, in addition to the benefit offered by the project to the wider industry.

Secondary information