The Energy Trilemma of the European Union: Finding the Right Balance (original) (raw)

The current paradigm of the EU energy system and its impact on the sustainability of member states’ economies by 2050

Frontiers in Environmental Science, 2022

In a context of multi-crises, as well as the challenges of both the medium and long term, associated with elements highlighted by the transformation of the EU energy system, we appreciate that not only is it a very difficult time to overcome efficiently and balanced EU Member States, but above all it is a time to activate research systems on identifying key solutions, as well as firm decisions at the level of decision-making institutions at the level of the European Institutions. Moreover, based on the latest European studies, systematic testing of ongoing initiatives can strategically prepare for an increase in the resilience of Member States' economies to crisis shocks, as well as "the key to success Europe's ecological transformation and climate neutrality of the EU economy in a broader sense." The paper aims to highlight how to act at European level in the context of the latest energy decisions (regulations, strategies, programs and directives) and how to stimulate "the EU economy with about 3.3% of EU GDP or EUR 464 billion in 2030 and up to EUR 5.6% or more than EUR 1 trillion in 2050." At the same time, we appreciate that as a result of green energy, digitalization and technology, the environmental objective on the EU and UN net emissions in 2050 can be achieved, especially as a result of a fair and equitable transformation for the economic environment and for citizens, being an objective that directly contributes to achieving a sustainable, collaborative and prosperous society with an open and modern society, but more chosen efficiently in terms of resource optimization and a sustainable and competitive economy.

A Moving Target: Changing Priorities in the Energy Policy of the European Union

International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy

The EU’s strategic objective is to improve energy market integration while emphasising the goal of energy sustainability. This study summarises the progress made over the last six decades, particularly focusing on the latest steps, and outlines the present and future challenges of the European energy policy. In doing so, the study addresses the following research questions: Will the EU realise its original aspirations in the field of energy? Is the Energy Union on target to deliver the envisioned breakthrough for the EU? Are the benefits of the Energy Union tangible at the integrated EU level? What new conditions and expectations shape and influence the future of the Energy Union?

Priorities and challenges of the EU energy transition: From the European Green Package to the new Green Deal

Russian Journal of Economics, 2020

As decarbonization and climate policy are gaining relevance in the European Union (EU) energy policy, the present paper seeks to present both priorities and challenges for of the EU energy transition. As priorities, we outline the key targets and initiatives proposed and set by the European institutions in relation to the energy matters. The EU identifies renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and reduction of the greenhouse gas (GHG) as the three pillars to achieve its carbon neutrality. The final goal for to the EU energy and climate targets is to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. Nevertheless, since given energy policy is being a “shared competence” between the EU institutions and Member States, each Member State plays a critical role for the achievement of the EU energy transition. Different socioeconomic structures and the energy mix across Europe have caused the implementation process of each EU target to develop at a different pace among European countries. We illustra...

Salient Insights on the Performance of EU Member States on the Road towards an Energy-Efficient Future

Energies

Energy efficiency plays an important role in energy systems all over the world, representing the most available and cheapest source of energy. Progress in energy efficiency translates into reduced consumption, reduced dependency on external suppliers of fossil fuels, mitigation of climate change, and improvement of quality of life. Given its tremendous importance for energy systems and national economies, this paper aims to offer salient insights on the performance of the countries of the European Union (EU-27) towards an energy-efficient future, bearing in mind the quantitative milestones of sustainable development goal 7 (SDG7) of the Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations. The current research offers a new perspective and delivers a comprehensive, robust, and succinct model which provides insights on the performance of EU-27 member states based on appropriate quantitative key performance indicators related to energy efficiency. The results show that about 19% of...

TRANSFORMING THE EUROPEAN ENERGY SYSTEM: MEMBER STATES' PROSPECTS WITHIN THE EU FRAMEWORK

Climate Change Economics, 2013

The Energy Modeling Forum 28 (EMF28) performed a large-scale model comparison exercise to illustrate different technology pathways for cutting European greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Focusing on selected countries (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and UK), this paper first analyzes climate and energy policy objectives and debates in the respective countries. It then compares EMF28 model results to the short-term projections of the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) and the long-term transformation pathway given in the European Commission's "Energy Roadmap 2050". It concludes that there is sufficient agreement with the NREAPs and national policies to accept the model results as conceivable scenarios. The scenarios suggest that in the future a variety of different national energy mixes will continue § §

Transforming the European Energy System: Member Statess Prospects within the EU Framework

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2000

The Energy Modeling Forum 28 (EMF28) performed a large-scale model comparison exercise to illustrate different technology pathways for cutting European greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. Focusing on selected countries (France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and UK), this paper first analyzes climate and energy policy objectives and debates in the respective countries. It then compares EMF28 model results to the short-term projections of the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs) and the long-term transformation pathway given in the European Commission's "Energy Roadmap 2050". It concludes that there is sufficient agreement with the NREAPs and national policies to accept the model results as conceivable scenarios. The scenarios suggest that in the future a variety of different national energy mixes will continue § §

Exploring the Energy-Environment Relationship in the EU: Perspectives and Challenges for Theorizing and Empirical Analysis

2011

Environmental concerns have played a key role for institutionalizing energy policy at the level of the European Union. There is thus a tendency in research literature to assume that the objectives of these cognate policy areas are compatible and mutually reinforcing. There have been only few efforts, however, to critically assess the quality of this relationship. The contributions to this mini-special issue reveal that the instruments employed in these two policy fields are markedly different. Environmental policy instruments are mostly based on the command-and-control logic whereas environment-related European energy policy is characterized by the use of 'softer' measures. The second main finding is that despite the centrality of climate change concerns in the rhetoric of the European Commission, an effective integration of environmental goals into energy policy is difficult to achieve.

The EU '2020 Energy Initiative': The post-Lisbon pattern of change in EU energy policy

iuee.eu

In order to achieve structural objectives of competitive and lasting growth, the EU has long identified energy sustainability as one of the short-term "greatest tests which Europe has to face" 4 . In order to succeed, the Member States and EU institutions have developed an ambitious plan to cut energy emissions, increase renewable sources' quotas in the EU's energy batch, and increase energy efficiency. All by 20%, all by * IUEE visiting researcher from the School of International Studies of the University of Trento. 2020. The task is not easy, since the present scenario of energy production and consumption in Europe is anything but reassuring.