EASAC (the European Academies’ Science Advisory Council) has published Energy System Integration commentary, highlighting that integrating renewable energy and modernising electricity grids can reduce energy costs and strengthen energy security. At the same time, these measures can accelerate Europe’s transition away from fossil fuels.
Europe’s energy situation has become increasingly strained in recent years due to price volatility and geopolitical tensions, increasing pressure to shift towards domestic renewable energy sources. In the commentary, energy system integration is seen as a key means of advancing a secure, affordable and climate-neutral energy transition by 2050.
Benefits and Challenges of Energy System Integration
The EASAC commentary examines the benefits and challenges of integrating energy production, infrastructure and consumption. Integration is expected to improve security of supply, reduce costs and support the transition towards a low-emission energy system.
At the same time, the commentary notes that the transition also involves risks, including infrastructure development needs, increasing system complexity and cybersecurity challenges. However, EASAC emphasises that these barriers are not insurmountable. Overcoming them will require broad cooperation between policymakers, authorities, energy-sector actors and citizens. In addition, progress in integration should be monitored independently.
Practical Measures to Mitigate the Energy Crisis
Across Europe, there is growing debate on how to mitigate the impacts of rising energy prices, ensure security of supply and strengthen industrial competitiveness. EASAC’s commentary provides a timely roadmap for action. The commentary stresses that integrating electricity, heat and low-carbon gases across industry, buildings and transport can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, curb costs and strengthen industrial competitiveness. It also highlights the importance of local energy production, storage and digitalisation in transforming the energy system.
Electrifying heating, transport and industry, combined with the use of energy storage, can reduce fossil fuel use and lower energy costs. Improving grid flexibility and managing voltage and frequency can in turn reduce the need for fossil-fuel-based backup power generation. In addition, smart systems can align consumption with solar power generation and optimise storage, reducing the need for grid reinforcement as well as related costs and permitting delays.
According to Professor Paula Kivimaa, Vice-Chair of the EASAC Energy Steering Panel, “some of the measures introduced during previous oil crises led to structural changes in energy policy and consumer behaviour – particularly improved insulation, energy efficiency standards and increased public awareness. These measures continue to have an impact today. We also now have the advantage that renewable energy technologies are far more advanced. If policymakers act quickly and decisively, we can reduce the impacts of future crises on fossil fuel trade and supply chains.”
Key Recommendations for Policymakers
The commentary emphasises the need to accelerate implementation of the EU Energy System Integration Strategy (2020) in order to advance the transition towards a low-emission and competitive energy system.
The commentary presents seven key recommendations that stress the alignment of technology, markets and policy. The growing role of digitalisation and information and communication technologies requires stronger cybersecurity and training for skilled professionals. At the same time, integration should address not only energy production but also energy demand, particularly through improved energy efficiency in buildings, industry and transport.
Regarding economic instruments, the recommendations highlight the importance of developing energy markets. Time-of-use pricing and demand response can reduce the need for investment in new infrastructure such as electricity grids, storage and backup generation. In addition to electrification, the transition phase must also address heating and transport fuels.
Integration will also require structural changes, as existing organisations, operating models and regulation must be updated to accommodate the needs of the new integrated energy system. The transition involves uncertainties and risks that should be identified at an early stage.
The commentary also highlights the importance of addressing social impacts. The energy transition will require targeted support for regions and communities most affected by the decline of fossil-fuel-based industries, as well as broader support for businesses and citizens to update skills and reduce the risk of energy poverty.
Read the full commentary here: EASAC_Energy System Integration
The European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC) is a cooperation organization of European science academies. The Council of Finnish Academies (CoFA) is a national member of EASAC.