Study on promoting energy system integration through the increased role of renewable electricity, decentralised assets and hydrogen : final report

Full decarbonisation of the EU economy will require a significant transformation of the energy system. System integration can help achieve this in a cost-efficient manner. The EU Energy System Integration Strategy "proposes concrete policy and legislative measures at EU level to gradually shape a new integrated energy system." The main objective of this study is to assess the progress of energy system integration in the EU by looking into existing barriers as well as identifying solutions and providing recommendations to address these barriers. The assessment analyses three topics in-depth, namely electrification of end-uses (with a specific focus on transport, industry, buildings) and decentralised renewable energy integration, uptake of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen (but also biogas and biomethane), and utilisation of waste heat. The assessment also covers cross-cutting topics such as energy infrastructure, energy storage, and digitalisation.