The Energy Council reaffirmed the importance of EU-U.S. cooperation in energy research and innovation, which promotes energy security and helps drive sustainable economic growth through the  development of new, clean and low-carbon technologies for a diversified energy system.  The Energy Council welcomed the work carried out by the Technology Working Group to enhance collaboration and finalisation of a Joint Rolling Action Plan to guide cooperation through joint and coordinated research, twinning of projects and exchange of researchers focused on the four priority areas endorsed by the Council in 2011: smart grids including energy storage; materials including  critical materials; nuclear fusion; and hydrogen and fuel cells. The Council called for further action in  these areas over 2013, as well as continued work on existing and new cooperative activities in the  working group’s overarching nine technology areas.