Energy Systems

The  Implementation Working Group (IWG) on energy systems was established as part of the Set Plan countries. It aims to identify and carry out the research, innovation and deployment actions needed to achieve SET Plan Action 4: ‘Increase the resilience and security of the energy system.’ Action 4 is based on common targets agreed upon in November 2016. It is supported by the ETIP smart networks for energy transition (SNET) and European Research Area Network for Smart Energy Systems (ERA-NET SES). 

In November 2018, the IWG energy systems produced the first edition of the Implementation Plan (IP) energy systems, which includes activities that will significantly contribute  to the European Green Deal, particularly  the EU strategy on energy system integration. 

Following the publication of the IWG energy systems IP in 2018, various EU and national initiatives have updated their research and development agendas, leading to an updated IWG Energy Systems Implementation Plan in 2020.   

The working group’s activities support several pillars of the energy system integration strategy with a focus on: 

• accelerating the electrification of energy demand, building on a largely renewables-based power system
• making energy markets fit for decarbonisation and distributed resources
• achieving a more integrated energy infrastructure
• achieving a digitalised energy system and a supportive innovation framework. 

The flexible use of resources within the energy system is essential to: 

• respond to the variability and uncertainty of renewable generation and loads 
• adapt to different possible energy scenarios, including those influenced by climate change.  

 The required flexibility can be achieved by: 

• using innovative technologies that increase customer participation 
• integrating better storage solutions 
• making the best use of connections between electricity grids at all voltage levels and other networks (e.g. gas, heat, cold, transport) 
• optimising the use of flexible sustainable combined power and heat generation.

The implementation of smart and integrated energy systems is a technological practice as well as a social, cultural, commercial, regulatory and political practice where cooperation and coordination are key. 

The IP is founded on a series of eight targets. 

Overarching targets

Establish innovation environments for developing smart services: 

• Provide innovation frameworks to develop attractive services, creating value for the participants in the power system and enabling participation in pan-European value chains.
• Provide co-creation frameworks to develop attractive services, creating value for the participants in the energy system and enabling participation in local and regional value chains.

Power grid related targets 

Achieve flexibility of the system by 2030: 

• Develop and implement solutions to increase observability and controllability in the energy system. 
• Develop and implement solutions and tools to manage the load profile through demand response and control, optimising grid use and defer grid investments. 
• Develop and implement solutions to increase flexibility of all types of generation. 

Economic efficiency 

• Reduce the cost of all energy storage solutions, contributing to the minimisation of the overall system costs. 

Integrated, local and regional energy systems targets

• Develop heating and cooling systems that can locally integrate energy from different sources at different temperature levels.
• Develop innovative mix solutions that will reduce variability by combining multi-low-carbon solution.

To reach the targets above, 2 flagship initiatives were implemented, around which the IP is developed.

Flagship Initiative 1: Develop an optimised European power grid

This initiative aims to enhance the reliability, resilience and economic efficiency of the European power grid. It focuses on integrating variable renewables such as wind and solar generation by: 

• providing increased flexibility through innovative technologies
• enhancing customer participation
• integrating better storage
• making use of connections with other networks (e.g. heat and cold, transport)
• optimising the use of flexible, sustainable combined power and heat generation. 

Flagship Initiative 2: Develop integrated local and regional energy systems 

This initiative enables local and regional energy systems to efficiently provide, host and use high shares of renewables, targeting up to and beyond 100% renewable energy supply by 2030. The initiative focuses on: 

• enabling regions and local communities to achieve  high sustainable energy ambitions
• providing tailor-made solutions that meet the local and regional requirements 
• linking to a secure and resilient European energy system
• facilitating inter-regional exchange of energy and shared responsibility for maintaining the overall system
• promoting sustainable use of local and global resources. 

The working group on energy systems is co-chaired by Austria and Italy and includes 11 other European countries. It is supported by the ETIP smart networks for energy transition (SNET) and European Research Area Network for Smart Energy Systems (ERA-NET SES). 

Participating SET Plan countries (in alphabetical order): 

• Austria (Co-chair)
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Italy (Co-chair)
• Netherlands
• Norway (Associated Country)
• Spain
• Sweden
• Türkiye (Associated Country)
• United Kingdom 

• ETIP smart networks for energy transition (SNET) 
• European Research Area Network for Smart Energy Systems (ERA-NET SES)
• All IWG Energy Systems material is available on the ERA-NET SES website 

• IWG Co-chair: Michele de Nigris
• IWG Co-chair: Michael Huebner