About: power grid

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.

Portugal breaks 100% renewables mark but remains isolated

Portugal produced more power from clean energy sources in March than it actually needed, marking the first time in the 21st century that renewables have topped 100% of its production. But a dearth of energy connections with the rest of Europe remains problematic.

Irish minister: We are the global leaders in taking variable renewable electricity onto the grid

The Irish electricity is now able to cope with 65% of electricity coming from intermittent electricity sources like wind and solar – an expertise Energy Minister Denis Naugthen believes can be replicated on a larger scale as Europe moves towards 50% renewable power by 2030.

Grid operators need a revised cybersecurity strategy in the IoT era

Cybersecurity threats invade the minds of electricity grid managers on a constant basis, and for good reason, writes Neil Strother.

EU pins hopes on ‘regional forums’ to unlock electricity trade

A seamless pan-European energy market is still a long way off, but decisive steps can be taken now with stronger regional cooperation and the introduction of cross-border bidding zones for electricity, policymakers and industry experts argue.

Death of coal ‘might take longer than we think’, says EU’s new utility boss

The “denial phase” is over, the outgoing president of Eurelectric said as he opened the trade association’s annual convention in Estoril, Portugal on Monday (19 June).

Power grid operators expect their ‘Uber moment’

Transmission system operators are struggling to fulfil their traditional mission of maintaining security of supply in a rapidly evolving environment driven by digitalisation.

Electricity prices in Europe

The European Commission hopes that its Energy Union strategy will make the EU's energy supply more secure, affordable and climate-friendly. But the energy market is highly fragmented, and focused on national interests.

Work begins on French-Italy power interconnector

French power grid operator RTE has started work on a new 190 km power interconnection across the Alps to Italy, in an effort to ease congestion on the existing lines to the largest importer of French electricity.

German coal reserve plan may break EU rules, experts say

Germany's plans to pay companies to shift power capacity to a coal-fired reserve from 2017 may well breach EU rules, legal experts at the German parliament have found, a document seen by Reuters on Thursday showed. 

Germany to shut down coal-fired plants, extend power grid

The German government will announce on Thursday (2 July) a decision to order the shutdown of several coal-fired plants in order to reach its ambitious climate goals by 2020, according to government sources.

March solar eclipse: How will it effect the energy grid?

The solar eclipse on 20 March will be a test for Europe’s energy grid, but the real concern is the ability to quickly restore the network, writes John Harris.

Gabriel rejects ‘senseless’ calls for surplus energy capacity

The German government says it will not provide capacity payments for fossil fuel power plants, but the country’s energy sector is insisting on assistance for its weak coal- and gas-fired power stations. EURACTIV Germany reports.

France, Spain agree to let more power flow between them

France and Spain have agreed to boost the capacity of electric power lines across their border, which is well behind European targets for interconnection.

Oettinger warns Germany against solo efforts on energy

Before switching portfolios, Günther Oettinger took one last opportunity to single out Germany's energy policy, warning against "ill-advised" national solutions. EURACTIV Germany reports.

French body blames renewables for EU power market failures

Europe's electricity system is not living up to its promises, according to a French advisory body to the prime minister, which published a report on Tuesday (28 January) largely blaming renewable energy subsidies for this failure.

Berlin to make big industry pay more for power grid

Germany will reduce exemptions that big power-using firms have enjoyed from grid fees following EU criticism that they might amount to state aid and anger among consumers that industry was not sharing the cost of a shift to renewable energy.

European renewable power grid rocked by cyber-attack

A German power utility specialising in renewable energy was hit by a serious cyber-attack two weeks ago that lasted five days, knocking its internet communications systems offline, in the first confirmed digital assault against a European grid operator.