In Europe several research institutes and private companies are currently working or have been working in thermophotovoltaics. At the Solar Energy Research Center SERC in Sweden, the possibility of using wood as a fuel for a TPV-system emphasizing the aspect of co-generation of heat and electricity is investigated. SERC also does work on characterization on TPV cells and on TPV generator optics. The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems in Germany plans to develop a TPV-generator to assure the supply reliability for small off grid photovoltaic systems and in Switzerland the research foundation of the Swiss gas industry has approved a project proposed by the Paul Scherrer Institute to develop a residential TPV-gas-burner for co-generation of heat and electricity. We also report on activities in the United Kingdom as well as on a past research program in the Netherlands.