Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are normally based on yttria partially stabilised zirconia (YPSZ) coatings and are commonly used coatings in the high temperature, combustion region of gas turbines. TBC permit to increase the temperature of combustion, increasing the thermodynamic efficiency of the engine. Therefore, an engine equipped with TBC can produce a larger amount of energy over its lifetime. This increase in produced energy can be compared with the energy needed for the manufacturing and installation of TBC. The comparison can be performed in terms of the “energy return” (or “energy returned for energy invested”, EROI or EROEI). The qualitative analysis performed in the present study indicates that this return is large in comparison to that of other energy producing systems.

The current critical situation of the world economy pushes the companies to make themselves adaptable and to change their usual rigid behaviour in order to survive globalization of the market, to face the competition of the so called low cost countries (LCCs) and to overcame the current financial crisis. For the western companies, the possible way to face the movement of production to the LCCs, is to invest and increase the technological level of their products by means of effective R&D. This is even more valid for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and is particular valid for the power generation sector. This paper addresses the policies adopted by the Public Administrations in the different countries in order to support the companies. The Public Administrations have the interest to support the companies not only in order to promote their own growth but, above all, in order to support the development of the territory where the company is located with the growth of the job numbers and the increasing of the subsuppliers activities. A review of the financial instruments available for companies in order to obtain financial help for research and innovation is provided, advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The focus is placed to the energy sector. An industrial case study is shown, related to a thermal spray shop dealing with gas turbine components, where the efficient and effective use of research allows the set up and the development of the company and also contributes to the surrounding market.

The current critical situation of the world economy pushes the companies to make themselves adaptable and to change their usual rigid behaviour in order to survive globalization of the market and the current financial crisis. A large quantity of people entering into the market created a sudden economic earthquake: the needs of goods and their way of production have changed with a subsequent unbalancing of supply and demand. The so called low cost countries (LCC) can offer a significant amount of goods at extremely low prices, with a high capability to “copy” the non-protected technologies. As consequence, it could be noted a movement of production from the rich western countries to the low cost countries, already established in several sectors (textiles, automotive, consumption goods, etc.) and in progress for higher technology sectors. The possible way to face this problem for European and US companies is to invest and increase the technological level of their products by means of effective Research and Development. This is even more valid for the SMEs. The help of the public bodies in funding R&D is crucial in order to make R&D costs acceptable for companies. This paper addresses the study of the financial instruments available for companies in order to obtain financial help for research and innovation: advantages and disadvantages are discussed. An industrial case study is shown, related to a thermal spray shop dealing with gas turbine components, where the efficient and effective use of research allows the set up and the development of the company and also contributes to the surrounding market.