Integrated research, innovation and competitiveness strategy for the Energy Union
Integrated research, innovation and competitiveness strategy for the Energy Union

Summary/Abstract: The Energy Union’s central challenge is to pave the way towards the modernization of the EU energy system by bringing down greenhouse gas emissions whilst boosting EU innovation and competitiveness. In the paper the authors summarize the different challenges being tackled by the European Energy Union. Amongst other things it focuses on integrated research, innovation and competitiveness strategy as a fundamental pillar of the EU’s response to the interrelated challenges of climate change, security of energy supply and competitiveness. Deeper integration of the EU energy market is crucial if it is to meet its energy and climate goals. This will entail substantial changes in the ways in which energy carriers are generated, transformed and transported across the Union, and will require upgraded, newer and more capable and flexible energy infrastructures. Moreover, an integrated energy market is needed to create more competition that will lead to greater market efficiency through better use of energy generation facilities across the EU and to produce affordable prices for consumers. These are achievable targets if the appropriate policies and incentives are put in place, as they can only be attained through strong investments in research and innovation in the energy sector. Closer collaboration between the public and the private sector is needed to foster technology development. Power markets will play a central role, as the trend towards the increasing electrification of final energy demand is likely to be further accelerated by the wider supply of renewable electricity and the electrification of transport.

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