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.
The recently published Independent Expert Study on clean energy: "R&I opportunities to ensure European energy security by targeting challenges of distinct energy value chains for 2030 and beyond" aims at defining and prioritizing specific Research & Innovation actions for clean energy technologies and their value chains which can improve the EU´s energy security in the long run.
In scope of the study were 48 specific clean energy technology value chains across 17 technologies: advanced biofuels, bioenergy, concentrated solar energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy, photovoltaics (PV), wind energy, direct solar fuels, carbon capture utilisation and storage, electricity and heat storage (including batteries, hydrogen and intermediate energy carriers), heat pumps, smart energy grid technologies, energy building and district heating technologies, off-grid energy systems, energy transmission and distribution technologies, and smart cities.
Special focus has been placed on a sound methodological approach to address energy security by critical technological core elements supporting the respective clean energies (e.g. PV, batteries). Importantly, also critical horizontal aspects of the clean energy value chains were addressed in an integrated approach.
As a result, the study led to the development of consolidated energy security indicators with the possibility to address their individual relation to energy security. A scenario-based stress test to the clean energy value chains complemented by modelling was used to identify possible vulnerabilities of clean energy technologies to energy security and indicating the resilience of clean energy value chains to future market and other disturbances. The found energy security criticalities were translated into R&I challenges and specific possible R&I interventions were developed. A profound strategic analysis considering the European innovation landscape and stakeholder feedback followed.
Finally, as a result, the study provides a detailed R&I action plan where the highest-priority energy security criticalities of clean energy value chains are addressed. In particular these criticalities, but also the other outcomes of the study are important input to respective European and national R&I programs in future.
The study highlights that making clean energy technologies fit for energy security challenges is an important objective for future R&I, addressing issues such as supply chain location and critical raw material supply (e.g. for PV or batteries), as well as complexity and sustainability across the value chain.
More information
Study on clean energy: R&I opportunities to ensure European energy security by targeting challenges of distinct energy value chains for 2030 and beyond
How can we ensure energy security in Europe as we transition to clean energy?
Policy brief - Clean energy R&I actions to ensure European energy security
Details
- Publication date
- 4 September 2024
- Author
- Directorate-General for Research and Innovation