European Environment Agency: European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, Aligning policy responses to rising energy prices with the long-term climate neutrality objective, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Since mid-2021, the EU and its Member States have been confronted with a severe energy supply crisis that has resulted in record-high energy prices. The main cause of the crisis is Russian energy supply cuts in the run up to and since its invasion of Ukraine, which exposed the EU’s vulnerability due to its high energy import dependency. Throughout 2022, the EU, national and sub-national governments have taken a range of measures to mitigate the adverse impacts of high energy prices. Reduced energy demand and high availability of liquified natural gas (LNG) have allowed the EU to cope better than expected with the Russian supply cuts, and energy prices have decreased since their peak in summer 2022.

European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Banja, M., Pagani, F., Crippa, M., Guizzardi, D. et al., Assessing future energy GHG emission scenarios at regional scale, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

This feasibility study investigates the utilization of the Integration of EDGAR and POLES (EDGAR-POLES) model to assess future greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenarios within energy-related sectors, focusing on the impact of alternative energy scenarios options from the POLES model. With the aim of supporting the objectives of the EU 2050 long-term strategy, the study evaluates the technical feasibility of employing the EDGAR-POLES framework to analyse changes in energy supply, fuel shift dynamics, and the penetration of new technologies. By narrowing its focus to energy-related sectors, the study aims to provide granular insights into the future trajectories of GHG emissions, facilitating evidence-based decision-making and targeted interventions to mitigate climate change effectively. Through collaboration with stakeholders, the study seeks to contribute to the realization of a sustainable, low-carbon future in line with EU objectives.

European Commission: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, Papadimitriou, C., Koulis, E., Brandt, D., Antunes Marante, C. et al., BRIDGE working group business model annual report 2023-2024 – 2023 - 2024, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

This report presents the initial mapping results of the BRIDGE projects’ collaboration within Working Group (WG) on Business Model (BM) in 2023 – 2024 period. The following conclusions have been derived: The results of 2022 2023 collaboration showed that most projects use the same tools, in particular the Business Model Canvas (BMC), which is the most popular tool for business model creation in BRIDGE projects.

European Commission: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, Brandt, D., Antunes Marante, C. and Neumann, C., Bridge, Business model tools for beginners – BRIDGE business model working Group Task 1, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

This guide takes you through the basics of business model concepts in a clear and accessible way. In the realm of innovation and project development, understanding and crafting a robust business model is essential. A well-thought-out business model not only outlines the roadmap for project success but also ensures that your innovation can achieve sustainable growth and deliver value. For projects within the BRIDGE Community, this means navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of the energy landscape with a strategic approach.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Energy, Rakocevic, L., van Dijk, E. and Fernández López, L., Clean energy for EU islands: Study on connection policies and management of energy systems under conditions of asynchronous generation in the non-interconnected islands, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

In 2021 and 2022 the Clean energy for EU islands secretariat (the secretariat) conducted a study on the regulatory barriers affecting the clean energy transition of islands. This provided significant insights on the operation of islands’ electricity systems and formulated recommendations to overcome existing challenges. Grid constraints and the lack of security of supply were identified as two of the key barriers for the decarbonisation of EU islands’ energy systems. Building on that study, the secretariat has been focusing its recent work on the connection policies of renewable energy power plants and the management of energy systems under conditions of asynchronous generation, specifically in non-interconnected islands. The goal of the study is to develop key recommendations and guidance to support the integration of increased renewable energy production and storage while ensuring system stability and security of supply. The study deepens the understanding of the

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Eulaerts, O., Grabowska, M., Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Within the context of the Clean Energy Technology Observatory, 77 emerging technologies related to Energy have been detected using a hybrid approach that combines text mining with expert knowledge. The report provides a concise description of these 77 technologies, including key indicators. Furthermore, the report includes a short analysis outlining the involvement of public and private entities, patenting activity, and the relative performance of major economies (EU, US, CN, KR, JP) in these emerging technologies.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Energy, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, Norton, M., Iliceto, A., Souza e Silva, N. et al., Coordinated energy infrastructure (CEI) – Planning for a decarbonised system, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Major changes in the energy system, like volatile renewables, hydrogen-based energy carriers, electrification of transport, and residential and industrial uses, drive the demand for European coordinated energy infrastructure (CEI) planning. Energy infrastructure planning is separated into sectoral areas such as electricity and gas networks, heating and cooling, water, and transport, in conjunction with the interrelated telecommunication sector. This separation is, to a growing extent, a problem now that sectors are getting intertwined and interdependent. At the same time innovative technologies and digitalisation are making coordinated energy infrastructure planning possible by providing the industry with more advanced methods and tools.

European Commission, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, Publications Office of the European Union, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Reducing energy consumption and achieving energy savings is essential to deliver the European Green Deal. The eight EU-funded projects presented in this CORDIS Results Pack highlight bottom-up research on energy behaviour and modelling, supporting the design and implementation of better energy policies.

European Commission, European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Local and regional authorities have a key role in achieving the EU Green Deal objectives and contribute to the reduction of climate emissions by at least 55 % by 2030. Sustainable energy actions at local level are decisive to implement the ambitious European energy and climate policies. To achieve further energy savings, the European Commission has revised the Energy Efficiency Directive, recognising the leading and exemplary role of public bodies and introducing an annual energy consumption reduction target of 1.9 % for the public sector as a whole.

European Environment Agency: European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, Towards a decarbonised and climate-resilient EU energy infrastructure – Recommendations on a harmonised EU energy system-wide cost–benefit analysis, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

According to the United Nations (UN), currently, 55% of the population lives in cities, and this number is expected to increase by 15 percentage points by 2050. Cities still account for 70% of global CO2 emissions, as well as 60-80% of global energy use.

European Commission: European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency, EIC pathfinder portfolio – Mid to long term and systems integrated energy storage – Strategic plan – Brussels, August 2024, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Energy storage is required to increase energy systems flexibility, sectors coupling, demand response and smart interoperability solutions. Storage technologies facilitate high penetration of intermittent renewable energy, enable energy efficiency technologies such as waste heat recovery, increase the efficiency of cold supply chains and in turn contribute to a secure, affordable and sustainable energy transition.

European Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023.

As the backbone of our energy system, electricity grids are critical for the clean energy transition. Europe has the most interconnected and resilient electricity grid in the world bringing electricity to consumers every minute, hour and day of the year. However, for the EU to bring renewable electricity to its consumers and empower them to produce it, electricity grids need to develop further and faster. In the next seven years, we should double our cross-border transmission infrastructure.

European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Rózsai, M., Jaxa-Rozen, M., et al., Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

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The Joint Research Centre's Integrated Database of the European Energy System (JRC-IDEES) incorporates in a single database a rich set of information allowing for highly granular analyses of the dynamics of the European energy system, so as to better understand the past and create a robust basis for future policy assessments. JRC-IDEES provides a consistent set of disaggregated energy-economy-emissions data for each Member State of the European Union, covering all sectors of the energy system for the 2000-2021 period.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Energy, Port electricity commercial model (project pilot) – Final report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

The urgent need for achieving climate neutrality by 2050 demands a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from all modes of transportation, including maritime. To reach this climate ambition as well as the energy policy targets, the pivotal role of ports in electrification and transition to low-carbon and renewable energy vectors emerges as a significant avenue for decarbonization. While several European ports have initiated clean energy solutions, many still grapple with hurdles in their decarbonization journey. Challenges persist, ranging from securing funding for electrification and port infrastructure to delays in electricity grid capacity expansion and difficulties in defining viable business models.

European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Schleker, T., Hicks, M., et al., Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

In the coming decades energy security will depend less on uninterrupted access to fossil energy sources and will be increasingly determined by the access to clean energy technologies, materials and components. This study, delivered by RAND Europe, CE Delft and E3-Modelling for the European Commission assessed the energy security challenges of 17 clean energy value chains now and looking to 2050, and identified 30 research and innovation actions to address them. The bespoke methodology brought together futures methods and macroeconomic modelling, value chains analysis and strategic decision-making tools to set out priorities for action.

European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Schleker, T., Hicks, M., et al., Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

In the coming decades, energy security will depend less on uninterrupted access to fossil energy sources and will be increasingly determined by the access to clean energy technologies, materials and components. This study, delivered by RAND Europe, CE Delft and E3-Modelling for the European Commission, assessed the energy security challenges of value chains across 17 clean energy technologies now and looking to 2050, and identified 30 research and innovation actions to address them. The bespoke methodology brought together futures methods and macroeconomic modelling, value chains analysis and strategic decision-making tools to set out priorities for action.

European Commission: Directorate-General for Energy, Lise, W., Ansarin, M., De Haas, V., Bene, C. et al., Study on promoting energy system integration through the increased role of renewable electricity, decentralised assets and hydrogen – Final report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

Full decarbonisation of the EU economy will require a significant transformation of the energy system. System integration can help achieve this in a cost-efficient manner. The EU Energy System Integration Strategy “proposes concrete policy and legislative measures at EU level to gradually shape a new integrated energy system.” The main objective of this study is to assess the progress of energy system integration in the EU by looking into existing barriers as well as identifying solutions and providing recommendations to address these barriers. The assessment analyses three topics in-depth, namely electrification of end-uses (with a specific focus on transport, industry, buildings) and decentralised renewable energy integration, uptake of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen (but also biogas and biomethane), and utilisation of waste heat. The assessment also covers cross-cutting topics such as energy infrastructure, energy storage, and digitalisation.

European Environment Agency: European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, Towards a decarbonised and climate-resilient EU energy infrastructure – Recommendations on a harmonised EU energy system-wide cost–benefit analysis, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024.

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Energy networks are a core component of the European energy system. As energy supply and use cause 77 % of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, the design and development of the EU’s energy networks define the EU’s transition towards a decarbonised and resilient energy system. The EU’s success in reaching its 2050 climate neutrality target depends on energy infrastructure investment decisions of today. Achievement of EU climate goals depends on further renewable energy-based electrification, which, in turn, relies on the availability, resilience and innovativeness of electricity grids.