The challenges of the European energy transition are considerable: climate neutrality, security of supply and economic competitiveness require new approaches to the development of energy infrastructure. A new study by Fraunhofer IEG in collaboration with Fraunhofer ISI and d-fine on behalf of the Agora Energiewende think tank shows how coordinated, cross-sector infrastructure planning can significantly reduce costs and lay the foundation for a sustainable energy system.
Key finding: Optimised grid planning could save Europe's energy system over 560 billion euros between 2030 and 2050
If the savings from avoiding reserve power plants are also taken into account, the amount rises to as much as €750 billion. This is made possible by integrated models that direct investments to where they bring the greatest benefit – and highlight the synergies between electricity, hydrogen, gas and CO₂. Four carefully selected scenarios were used to examine for the first time how European and national optimisation as well as cross-sector versus sector-specific approaches influence system costs and infrastructure requirements.
The analysis focuses on a holistic energy system model that was further developed and implemented by d-fine in collaboration with Fraunhofer IEG and Fraunhofer ISI. The models show that Europe-wide coordinated infrastructure planning requires 505 GW less reserve capacity, 15 per cent less onshore wind capacity and 9 per cent less hydrogen electrolysis capacity than purely national and sectoral approaches – while at the same time significantly accelerating the expansion of renewable energies. Investments in the electricity grid remain indispensable in all scenarios, confirming the role of electrification and the political prioritisation of grid expansion.
High political relevance: The study provides important impetus for European energy policy
In addition, the study underlines need for transparent, Europe-wide modelling. Only an integrated, open and iterative process can ensure that investments are optimally managed and achieve cross-border efficiency gains. With proven expertise in structuring and modelling complex energy systems, d-fine, as a modelling partner, has made a decisive contribution to making this interaction analytically tangible and deriving concrete recommendations for infrastructure planning and energy policy.
The complete study "Integrated Infrastructure Planning and 2050 Climate Neutrality: Deriving Future-Proof European Energy Infrastructures" and the accompanying impulse paper are available for free download on the Agora Energiewende website:
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