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Perspective

Smart energy systems

Integrated energy systems

Integration of clean energy and energy efficiency across the system.

In order to achieve the goals of the European Energy Union, both renewable energy and energy efficiency need to be integrated across the energy system.
This includes the energy intensive heavy sectors as transportation and heating & cooling, as well an enabling an energy market across borders.

Producing clean energy and using our energy more wisely through efficiency measures are both vital pillars of the future energy system. However, the third and equally important pillar is about integrating these elements in the energy system. Some of the sectors that are most challenged in reaching the European targets are transportation as well as heating & cooling. In the EU only 16 percent of the heating and cooling is generated from renewable energy. In the transport sector, oil supplies about 94 percent of all energy used to power European cars, trucks, ships and planes. These sectors rely on large industrial, infrastructure and technology investments in order to fully reach the potentials as well as providing access for all citizens.

The sections to come will investigate the potentials in these sectors as well as showcasing some of the solutions we see already today. Lastly, the third section will underline the importance of integrating the energy system not only within the member states, but also across borders. Both challenges, but most of all solutions will be presented in order to better comprehend the possible implementation paths towards 2030.

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