Of course, VITO’s most important task is to carry out technological research in the field of human environment, energy, materials and earth observation, in order to contribute to a favourable innovative climate in Flanders. This research is either carried out completely autonomously or in collaboration with other scientific or industrial partners.
VITO also carries out policy supporting research for the Flemish government. This concerns policy supporting research in the field of, for example, environment, energy, public health, spatial planning and mobility.
Here a distinction is made between recurring and structural policy supporting tasks (reference tasks) and research assignments which are acquired on the open market (invitations to tender, requests for proposal).
1. Reference tasks
Reference tasks are recurring policy supporting tasks carried out by VITO for the Flemish government and for which structural financing has been established in a management agreement.
The current most important reference tasks include:
- The reference laboratory for environmental analysis and measurement. Please click on this link for further information on the reference laboratory. This reference task includes the following tasks:
- advising the relevant authority (i.e. LNE and OVAM) on the certification of laboratories;
- quality control of certified laboratories by way of organising ring tests and other quality checks;
- methodological research into recommended analysis and measurement methods in accordance with the needs of the Flemish government (LNE, OVAM, VMM, VLM, etc.) and certified laboratories;
- performing concrete research projects upon request from the Flemish authorities with regard to sampling, analysis and/or measurement procedures and various related evaluations.
The aim of the reference laboratory is to create a Flemish general framework for quality control and quality assurance with regard to environmental analyses, and this with active participation from all certified environmental laboratories. Related aspects concerning the official certification of laboratories and/or the certification of analysis and measurement techniques are also part of the assignment.
The following analysis and measurement methods are available:
- the compendium for sampling and analysis pursuant to the waste decree and soil remediation decree;
- sampling and analysis methods for fertilisers, soil and cattle feed;
- air measurement methods;
- the water analysis compendium (WAC);
- the compendium for sampling and analysis in the framework of soil protection
- BAT/EMIS knowledge centre
The Flemish knowledge centre for Best Available Techniques and the Energy and Environment Information System (EMIS) were established in 1995 upon request from the Flemish government.
The Flemish knowledge centre for Best Available Techniques (BAT) inventories information on the available environment friendly techniques, selects the best available techniques and translates these into environmental licensing conditions and ecological aid. This reference task also includes the set-up of an energy balance for Flanders. The Energy and Environment Information System (EMIS) is aimed at distributing energy and environmental information within the Flemish Region. This takes place via a website (www.emis.vito.be (open in new window)).
- The environment and health
Within the framework of this reference task, VITO supports the Environment & Health department of the Flemish Ministry of Environment. Specific focus points include the participation from Flanders in a European biomonitoring programme, the evaluation of Flemish biomonitoring studies and the provision of environmental toxicological information and recommendations upon request.
- Flemish Subsoil Knowledge Centre
This reference task is performed on the instructions of LNE-ALBON and is based on safeguarding and digitalising the plans of Limburg coal mines. This has allowed VITO to build up unique geological knowledge, not only on the subsoil in Limburg but also in the rest of Flanders. The aim is to implement this subsoil knowledge in economic projects such as the underground storage of natural gas in Flanders and the UK, as well as the underground storage of CO2 for the compliance with the Kyoto obligations.
This reference task includes the following partial tasks:
- completion of the "deep subsoil" section of the Flemish initiative “Flanders Subsoil Databank”.
- research (feasibility studies) into the innovative use of the deep subsoil in Flanders (conventional/fossil and renewable energy sources, including problems concerning the storage of energy and greenhouse gases);
- research into rational surface mineral management and the optimum re-use of residuals and secondary raw materials (Surface minerals decree).
- Follow-up of VEA demo projects
Energy efficient techniques or procedures, which are used for the first time in a sector may, through this programme, qualify for a subsidy from VEA for a maximum of 50% of the qualifying investment costs (since 2001). VITO’s reference task concerns the detailed follow-up and evaluation of these demo projects for at least one complete measurement year and the distribution of the results of completed projects with a view to reproduction of the technology or procedure (multiplier effect).
- Supporting the CO2-REG policy (Energy Support Office)
The tasks of the Energy Support Office focus on the development and evaluation of methods in order to evaluate the potential of measures, and thus support Flemish energy policy.
- Verification agency for benchmarking energy agreement
Pursuant to the Kyoto protocol, the “Action plan REG in industry” has been established. The key part is the conclusion of a benchmarking agreement for energy efficiency in energy intensive industries. Effective verification of the benchmarking process, the set-up of improvement plans and follow-up are essential parts of the agreement. The “Verification agency” reference assignment was assigned to VITO in 2003 by the Flemish government.
The Verification agency checks, evaluates and advises on the World Summit investigation, the distance to the World Summit, the energy plan and monitoring, and then compiles a report. VITO also supports the energy planning ruling and performs a number of tasks for the European system of tradable emission rights.
- Audit agreement
The “Audit agreement” reference task focuses on industrial end users of energy with medium-sized energy intensive premises, which do not fall under the European guideline for emission trading, but which have an annual primary energy consumption of at least 0.1 PJ and less than 0.5 PJ.
Companies signing the agreement for the premises concerned agree to have an audit carried out in order to determine their energy saving potential and to have it checked by the Verification agency. This audit determines which saving measures are possible within the company. The best available techniques are used as a reference.
- Knowledge centre ‘Clean Vehicles’
This reference task aims at supporting both private persons and governments in optimally using low-energy and clean vehicles. ‘Vehicles’ are understood to include passenger cars, motorised two- and three-wheelers, light duty vehicles (LDVs) and heavy duty vehicles (HDVs). Within this framework, VITO is concerned with three types of activities:
- Maintaining the knowledge base in the form of the website www.Ecoscore.be/en (new window), also see the project page.
- Supporting the Flemish government in their policy for stimulating the transition towards a cleaner fleet, e.g. through the reform of the car taxation but also via tools like MTV-Web.
- Advising private persons, vehicle manufacturers, organisations and governmental bodies on clean vehicles. This may happen by participating to events promoting clean vehicles to a broad public. In 2010 for example, VITO supported the WATT Roadshow (new window) concerning content.
2. Contractual policy supporting research assignments
In addition to the abovementioned reference tasks, VITO also carries out contractual policy supporting research assignments for the Flemish government. VITO frequently collaborates with, for example, LNE, OVAM, VMM, VLM and VEA . These assignments concern a very broad range of policy areas and scientific disciplines. A few examples of recent and/or regular research assignments are:
- supporting OVAM in evaluating soil investigations and soil remediation projects:
- developing an environmental costs model for the evaluation of costs and benefits from potential environmental measures in order to improve the quality of surface water and ambient air;
- supporting the Public Health Inspectorate with regard to indoor environmental pollution in residential homes;
- odour nuisance studies on the instructions of the Environmental Inspection department at LNE;
- developing and implementing various forecasting models for air quality in consultation with VMM;
- collaborating on the MIRA report.
