EU grids need total overhaul to meet energy goals

The EU won’t be able to reach its renewable energy targets without completely overhauling, upgrading and fully connecting the electricity grids that span the whole of Europe, according to a new report from the Royal Society and the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC).

The European Union has set a goal of obtaining 20 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020.

According to the new report, the EU’s current electricity systems are poorly integrated and coordinated, and also very limited in their ability to transfer energy from renewable power generators over large distances and across national borders to locations where energy is needed.

“The electrical demands of the European Union are complex and the targets for renewable energy use are challenging,” said John Holmes, one of the report’s authors. “We must make major changes to the current delivery systems in the EU and become more coordinated if we are to meet these targets.  This report gives the EU Directorate General a blueprint for a brighter, greener future in Europe.”

The report, produced by the national science academies of the European Union, details how a future European electricity grid should be developed and managed.

“In addition to improving the EU’s ability to make the most of our renewable resources, the enhanced European electricity grid will be very beneficial to consumers, as the system will be more efficient and will introduce more competition to the marketplace, reducing energy costs,” Holmes said. “Given that fuel poverty affects many citizens in the EU, this can only be good news.”