Energy Infrastructure

Global electricity demand is projected to increase, led by China and India, with renewables and nuclear supplying all growth through 2026, indicating a shift towards low-emission sources, reducing CO2 intensity, and highlighting regional disparities in access and consumption trends.

The paper discusses Europe's transition to an interconnected, renewable-focused energy grid, emphasizing the need for smart grids, AI, flexibility markets, advanced data exchange, and interoperability. These elements are crucial for balancing supply and demand, enhancing grid efficiency, and achieving sustainability and decarbonization goals, all while facing challenges in technology, investment, and stakeholder collaboration.

The STORMING project innovates in methane cracking for CO₂-free hydrogen and carbon nanotubes production, aligning with Hydrogen Europe's pathways for a sustainable energy transition and offering economic and environmental benefits. Challenges remain in scaling and integration into industries.

Space-based solar energy (SBSE) overcomes terrestrial solar power limitations, offering continuous, efficient energy. Despite high costs and ecological concerns, advances in technology and interest from ESA and CALTECH's SSPD indicate its promising potential for sustainable energy.

Hydrogen is emerging as a potential solution for combating climate change. But there is a need to differentiate between green hydrogen—produced renewably, essential for certain industries—and less sustainable forms like grey, black, and blue hydrogen, which have significant carbon footprints. Pink hydrogen, though less harmful, presents nuclear waste challenges.

The paper addresses the EU's transition to electric vehicles (EVs) as key in decarbonizing transport sector emissions, crucial to achieving 2040 climate targets. The EV ecosystem involves various stakeholders, including OEMs, CPOs, and DSOs, working together towards electrification. Policies like RED, AFIR, EPBD, and the Sustainable Battery Regulation support this shift, while investment in EV infrastructure is projected to significantly increase. Data sharing is emphasized as essential for ecosystem efficiency.

AI accelerates the global energy transition by optimizing grid operation, predictive maintenance, and energy efficiency, advancing R&D, and enhancing energy trading strategies, attracting investment and job creation, with associated financial opportunities and risks.

The European Round Table for Industry reports, authored by the Boston Consulting Group, highlight challenges in Europe's energy transition, advocating for regulatory changes to foster competitiveness amid higher energy costs, risk of deindustrialization, and the need for large-scale investment in energy infrastructure to meet Green Deal goals.

The OneNet Project Final Event marked the culmination of efforts to reshape Europe's electricity system. Key topics included TSO-DSO coordination, market design, consumer engagement, and leveraging data for grid operations. The initiative aligns with EU interoperability objectives and promotes a sustainable, unified market.