Electricity
Active energy storage for EV charging
Among alternative fuel vehicles, electric cars are the best positioned to overcome refuelling infrastructure challenges, writes Ian McClenny. The difficulty lies in having sufficient vehicle charging availability to reduce consumer’s range anxiety.
China set to fully control Portugal’s power grid amid Europe’s inertia
China is set to make further inroads into European infrastructure, as a state-owned company attempts to gain full control of Portugal’s power grid.
Decarbonisation not just an option but an opportunity, insist energy experts
Decarbonising the economy and energy production is now a necessity for states and companies, although it can also be a source of business opportunities and innovation, according to experts. EURACTIV's Spanish partner reports.
EU’s next top model could unlock Paris Agreement
The European Commission outlined plans this week for a long-term strategy to drag Europe onto a Paris Agreement-compliant climate trajectory. But there are concerns that the forthcoming set of scenarios could be undermined by one factor: maths.
In Central Europe, activists fight for ‘just transition’ away from coal
As Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic start phasing out coal, campaigners argue that all actors – including small entrepreneurs, communities and civil society – must be part of the process.
Energy and cyber security: The other capacity gap
Europe’s energy companies have made real progress on cyber security in many ways. But actions speak louder than words, and cyber security needs to be a core component of any utility’s strategy, argues Michael John.
Polish electricity boss: Derogations needed to ‘make capacity market work’
European Union negotiators will turn their attention to revamping the bloc's electricity market rules under the Austrian Presidency but the issue of so-called capacity mechanisms continues to define the debate.
Equinor: Oil majors have ‘muscle’ to join renewables race
International oil companies have “the financial muscle, the experience, the technical skills, and the supply chain” necessary to take part in the global renewable energy revolution, argues Eirik Waerness of Equinor.
Higher shares of renewables for higher levels of electrification
A deep decarbonisation of the European economy is doable, but it will rely heavily on an increased uptake of electricity – even if the challenges are very different across the individual use sectors, writes Kristian Ruby.
Italy and Poland’s electricity markets face uncertain future
The ongoing reform of "capacity markets" for electricity, which remunerate power plants for remaining on standby in case of demand peak, should be technologically neutral in order to allow disruptive technologies like digitalisation and blockchain to develop, argue energy experts from across Europe.
Fabien Roques: EU needs adaptable electricity ‘capacity’ schemes
So-called “capacity mechanisms” are being set up across EU member states to remunerate power stations that remain on standby in case of demand peak. While a European framework is needed to regulate those schemes, Fabien Roques believes they should be adapted to local circumstances. EURACTIV.fr reports.
People leading the renewable revolution
With its updated Renewable Energy Directive, the EU has sent a clear signal that citizens and communities are key to the energy transition’s success. The next step is to empower these groups to access the market and use their untapped potential, writes Emily Rochon.
Brussels remains guarded over ‘capacity mechanisms’ for power plants
The European Commission is trying to limit the development of so-called capacity mechanisms, which some member states have put in place as a way of ensuring electricity supply in situations of peak demand. EURACTIV France reports.
Electricity market reform: A European tour
The European Commission wants to reform “capacity mechanisms” put in place across EU member states to remunerate power plants that remain on standby in case of a demand peak, arguing they distort the market. But views differ on their value amid wide-ranging national disparities.
Grid neutrality is a prerequisite for energy storage to flourish
Without energy storage, the EU target for renewable energy cannot be reached. And that can only succeed if the incentives for investment are set correctly and if “ownership unbundling” rules in the EU energy market are strictly enforced, writes Dr. Hans Wolf von Koeller.
Austria unveils energy, environment work plan at EU helm
The Austrian Presidency of the EU will aim to reach agreement on two flagship pieces of legislation during its six-month stint at the EU helm – including new CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans for 2030 and a controversial reform of the electricity market.
EU, Baltics, Poland target Russia grid separation by 2025
The Baltic nations, Poland and the European Commission agreed Thursday (28 June) on a roadmap to synchronise the region’s electricity network with the rest of continental Europe’s by 2025 and end their reliance on the Russian grid.
Global warming will affect global electricity production
Global warming threatens global electricity production, according to a report released by four organisations on 19 June. As many as 270 power plants could face an increased risk of flooding by 2050. EURACTIV’s partner Le Journal de l’environnement reports.
Claude Turmes MEP: A net-zero emissions target by 2050 will be our red line
Any country resisting an EU-wide objective to reduce emissions to net-zero by mid-century is essentially “in the same camp as Mr. Trump” when it comes to climate change, says Claude Turmes, the lead European Parliament negotiator on the Energy Union governance proposal.
EU strikes deal on 32% renewable energy target and palm oil ban after all-night session
Talks on renewable energy policy in Europe reached un unexpected breakthrough early this morning after negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states were able to reach a compromise on a 32% headline objective and a complete phase out of palm oil use in transport by 2030.
Sovereignty row holds back EU’s new energy regulator
The European Union inched forward on Monday (11 June) in redefining the role of ACER, the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. But more discussions still lie ahead, with some EU countries worried about “unlimited competences” granted to the agency.
Why Europe needs more electricity interconnectors, public and private
Europe's underdeveloped power grid infrastructure means that a surplus of electricity cannot be traded across borders, wasting renewable energy in countries that produce more than they consume, write Jo Leinen and Werner Langen.
EU outlines renewable energy policy options for 2030
European Union legislators have outlined a compromise deal on the bloc’s renewable energy policy for the coming decade, agreeing on a headline objective of 30-33% for 2030, sources said.