Energy Systems

About

The Implementation Working Group (IWG) on energy systems 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. 

Targets and objectives

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

• manage the variability of renewable generation
• adapt to diverse energy scenarios, including those influenced by climate change.

The required flexibility can be achieved by: 

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

Implementing smart, integrated energy systems involves not only technology but also social, commercial, regulatory and political collaboration. 

The IP is based on the following targets: 

Overarching targets

Establish innovation environments for developing smart services: 

• Develop innovation frameworks to create attractive, scalable and user-friendly services that optimise energy use, enhance flexibility and accelerate regional energy transitions - generating value for participants.
• Build co-creation frameworks that encourage active participation in local and regional energy markets, integrating them into pan-European systems.

Power grid related targets 

Achieve flexibility of the system by 2030: 

• Improve energy system observability and controllability
• Create tools and solutions to manage load profiles through demand response and control, optimising grid usage and delaying costly grid upgrades
• Develop and implement solutions to enhance the flexibility of all types of energy generation and demand
• Improve economic efficiency across the energy system
• Reduce the cost of energy storage solutions, helping to minimise overall system costs

Integrated, local and regional energy systems targets

• Develop integrated, local and regional energy systems capable of delivering and managing up to (and beyond) 100% renewable energy supply by 2030
• Develop inter-regional energy exchange and shared responsibility for maintaining the overall system, with a focus on the sustainable use of both local and global resources

Digitalisation targets

• Ensure system connectivity with seamless interoperability and data exchange across sectors and borders and harmonise IT infrastructure for integrated energy systems

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

Flagship Initiative 1: Develop an optimised European power grid

Develop the appropriate levels of reliability, resilience and economic efficiency, while integrating variable renewables, such as wind and solar generation by providing increased flexibility through innovative technologies to enhance customer participation, integrating better storage, making the best use of connections with other networks (e.g. heat and cold, transport) and optimising the use of flexible sustainable combined power and heat generation. 

The initiative focuses on:

• observability and controllability
• load profile management
• flexibility increase
• storage cost reduction.

Flagship Initiative 2: Develop integrated local and regional energy systems

Develop integrated local and regional energy systems that can efficiently deliver, accommodate and use high levels of renewables, up to and beyond 100% of local or regional supply by 2030, enabling regions and local communities to achieve their sustainable energy ambitions. 

They will provide tailor-made solutions that meet the local and regional needs and demand. At the same time, they will link to a secure and resilient European energy system, enabling the participation in inter-regional exchange of energy as well as in sharing responsibility to maintain the overall system, considering the sustainable use of local and global resources. 

The initiative focuses on: 

• regional RES integration including different energy infrastructure
• regional system integration of different energy vectors
• integration of relevant infrastructure into regional energy systems
• smart services for flexibility to develop local and regional value chains
• digitalisation as enabler of system connectivity.

Composition

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 

Relevant links

• 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