Europe’s journey towards a sustainable energy future offers challenges and opportunities. In this evolving and complex environment, success demands the convergence of collaboration, innovation, and strategic research endeavors.
In a recent episode of the EPRI Current podcast, host Bill Florence spoke with Eamonn Lannoye, EPRI Europe Managing Director, and Norela Constantinescu, former Head of Innovation at the European Networks for Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), on the trajectory of Europe's energy transition odyssey and the importance of research, development, and innovation (RDI) in shaping sustainable energy systems of tomorrow…not only for Europe but also for other parts of the world.
The following includes highlights of this EPRI Current podcast conversation. You can listen to the podcast on all major podcasting channels or watch on EPRI’s YouTube channel.
Integrating Renewable Energy
One of the primary challenges impeding the achievement of the European Union's (EU) ambitious targets for the energy transition is creating a seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the existing grid infrastructure. Constantinescu highlighted the need for substantial investments in grid infrastructure, estimating the need for at least 600 billion euros by 2030 for transmission and distribution upgrades alone. She also stressed that ensuring energy system flexibility, fostering coordination between system operators, and implementing regulatory reforms are essential for surmounting operational constraints and dismantling market barriers.
Continuous Innovation
Both Lannoye and Constantinescu emphasized the critical role of research and innovation in helping address the multifaceted challenges facing the EU’s energy future. Lannoye underscored the importance of continuous innovation in adapting to the rapidly evolving energy landscapes as the EU focuses on achieving 100% renewable energy integration and enhancing energy security. He discussed the role research institutions like EPRI Europe play in providing guidance and potential solutions to decision-makers amidst unprecedented uncertainty. Lannoye also emphasized EPRI Europe's role in facilitating collaborative research through Horizon Europe’s energy programs and European clean hydrogen partnerships. Horizon Europe is the EU’s primary funding program for innovation and research to address global issues, including climate change.
The Importance of Collaboration
Constantinescu said collaboration and an ecosystem approach were significant factors driving innovation across the EU’s diverse energy sector. She spotlighted ongoing research projects focused on enhancing interoperability, digitalization, and seamless data exchange between transmission and distribution operators. Constantinescu shared that projects like OneNet and TwinEU exemplify collaborative efforts to address technical challenges head-on and facilitate the transition toward a smarter, more resilient, and sustainable European energy system.
(Note: OneNet was a project to integrate Europe’s district system operators (DSO) and transmission system operators (TSO) across all EU countries; EPRI Europe contributed towards identifying gaps and challenges in the data exchange between TSOs and DSOs. TwinEU is a project within Horizon Europe to create a Pan-European digital twin of the electricity system. The TwinEU project will incorporate results from the OneNet project.)
Regional Approach
In closing, Lannoye and Constantinescu agreed that navigating Europe's energy transition is challenging and demands concerted efforts from multiple regional stakeholders. Research institutions, collaborative associations, and industry players must forge new alliances to address challenges, drive innovation, and accelerate the transition toward a sustainable energy future. By leveraging research, development, and innovation, Europe can help pave the way for a greener, more resilient, and equitable energy landscape that addresses Europe's sustainable energy ambitions for a carbon-neutral future.