One of the cornerstones to reach a decarbonised energy system by 2050 is the inclusion of a set of flexibility solutions into the energy system to cover the need for flexibility on all timescales. Such flexibility services can come in different ways such as sector coupling, energy storage,...

The aim of this project is to identify the investment requirements for energy infrastructure across each TEN-E infrastructure category, as well as for non-TEN-E electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, in order to enable a decarbonised economy in the EU. It also evaluates the...

The current survey was commissioned by the Directorate-General for Energy to canvas EU citizens' opinion about a range of issues relating to EU energy policy including: What a European energy policy means to citizens; In which areas the European Union has provided added value for Member States,...

The current survey was commissioned by the Directorate-General for Energy to canvas EU citizens' opinion about a range of issues relating to EU energy policy including: What a European energy policy means to citizens; In which areas the European Union has provided added value for Member States,...

This study explores the legal space for the creation of an EU Climate and Energy Union. As to the concept of an actual Climate and Energy Union, this study relies on the two main targets laid down in the European Climate Law, being a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 55% percent...

This study explores the legal space for the creation of an EU Climate and Energy Union. As to the concept of an actual Climate and Energy Union, this study relies on the two main targets laid down in the European Climate Law, being a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 55% percent...

To serve and protect its citizens from climate change, the EU and its Member States need to act decisively and quickly. This raises the question if EU law currently offers the legal space required for such effective action, for example by creating a true Climate and Energy Union. Where the...

To serve and protect its citizens from climate change, the EU and its Member States need to act decisively and quickly. This raises the question if EU law currently offers the legal space required for such effective action, for example by creating a true Climate and Energy Union. Where the...

The objective of this study is to provide insights into the development of the trans-European energy infrastructure in the transition period 2030-2050. In particular, the study focusses on the development of the electricity grid, dedicated hydrogen networks incl. repurposing existing natural gas...

This study analyses the present and future of the European electricity and gas infrastructure, exploring production capacity scenarios and their impact on the electricity system (including the role of interconnections, transmission and distribution grids, prosumers, and storage). It also...

This report explores key challenges and priorities in safeguarding Europe's critical energy infrastructure against both physical and cyber threats amid rising geopolitical tensions. It follows recent sabotage incidents and the extensive development of new offshore energy infrastructure planned...

The European Emissions Trading System is a cornerstone of the EU climate policy and its development is set until 2030. However, it is unclear what will happen afterwards. This policy brief compares three different scenarios: Rapid Decarbonization, 2050 Climate Neutral and a Break scenario. The...

Meeting Europe's 2030 climate targets will require massive clean-electricity investment. To facilitate these investments, state-backed de-risking schemes such as contracts for difference (CfDs) are needed. Their role in supporting renewables has been consolidated by the European Union's recently...

The article presents the energy policy of the European Union (EU) in light of its latest strategy, called the European Green Deal. The article is of particular importance to answer two main questions: What was the importance of two energy packages in the EU energy policy, i.e., the fourth and...

Europe, and Germany in particular, have quickly ramped up liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to partially offset the loss of Russian pipeline gas deliveries. While many observers rightly applaud this historical achievement, there are also concerns that LNG decisions taken in the face of the...

The European Commission has identified hydrogen as a key part of its decarbonisation strategy. The 2022 REPowerEU Strategy set a target of 20MT consumption of renewable hydrogen by 2030. The Commission is keen to promote a single European market in hydrogen, similar to the current one for...

Ocean energy has been acknowledged in the context of the European Energy Union as a fundamental research and development priority to achieve 2050 climate objectives. The European Green Deal included ocean energy in the technologies necessary toward a transition to climate neutrality. The aim of...

The aim of this report is to provide an update of the state of the art of wind energy technology. This includes onshore and offshore wind and, when available, selected findings on wind technologies at lower technological readiness levels (e.g. research and innovation information on airborne wind...

The paper investigates the importance of renewable energy in the energy mix of EU-27 countries, as well as their dependence on imports of gas, oil and petroleum products from the Russian Federation, considering the long-term energy security of the EU-27, as well as the objectives of the...

Not long ago, energy policy used to be neatly compartmentalized into individual industries. Transportation, power generation, heat production, and so on each had their own distinct material structure, rules, and behavior-governing norms and practices. With rising climate change concerns, energy...

The Russian invasion of Ukraine challenges the liberal peace project that has always been at the heart of the European Union. The political project that led to the EU was founded on the idea that economic trade and political cooperation promote reconciliation and create a more peaceful and...

Renewable energy communities involve various agents who decide to jointly invest in renewable production units and storage. This paper examines how these communities interact with the energy system and can decrease its overall cost. First, we show that a renewable energy community can contribute...

This book includes contributions by leading experts across the globe. Part 1 of the book focuses on the analysis of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, examines COP26, and questions the political process in the US for the creation of policy for meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions....

Climate change is happening now. Floods, droughts, heatwaves, and other climate‑related hazards are becoming more intense, longer and more frequent (EEA, 2023a). Over the last decade, European surface temperatures were more than 2°C warmer than pre-industrial levels, while the summer of 2023...

In late 2021, an energy crisis emerged in the European Union (EU) as a result of (i) high energy prices following the summer season and (ii) various geopolitical and technical events. These circumstances had an impact in the operation of the EU natural gas system and the security of gas supply...

Energy (and climate) will be high on the agenda of the next European Commission. EU citizens and industry expect a supply of energy that is affordable, secure, and sustainable. The National Energy and Climate Plans suggest that there is a widening gap between what Member States are willing to...