ETIP SNET Vision 2050: towards low-carbon pan-European integrated energy system

ETIP SNET’s Vision 2050 goes beyond prior smart grid innovation visions through its clear low-carbon commitment in line with the Governance Regulation. This holistic view will drive integration of electricity, gas, heating/cooling and mobility systems and markets, with smart and strong electricity networks at the centre.

On 27 June 2018, the European Technology and Innovation Platform Smart Networks for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET) presented its Vision 2050 for:

A low-carbon, secure, reliable, resilient, accessible, cost-efficient, and market-based pan-European integrated energy system supplying the entire society and paving the way for a fully carbon-neutral circular economy by the year 2050, while maintaining and extending global industrial leadership in energy systems during the energy transition

Launching the special ETIP SNET report: this high-profile event includes the participation of well-known figures active in Europe’s energy sector, including: Nikos Hatziargyriou, ETIP SNET Chairman; ETIP SNET Vice-Chairs Konstantin Staschus and Thierry Le Boucher; Christian Buchel Chairman of EDSO and Haitze Siemers, the newly-appointed Head of Unit C2 at DG Energy.

In the foreword to the fifty-page report Miguel Arias Cañete– EU Commissioner for Climate Action & Energy asserts: “I am confident that Vision 2050 will be taken up by all relevant entities and encourage the ETIP SNET to continue its research and innovation development efforts by contributing with its expert knowledge and scientific experience to making the energy transition a reality”

The ETIP SNET Vision 2050 also stresses the importance of involving everyday energy users driving energy market decisions in the transition to cleaner energy:  “Empowered by cross-sector markets and digitalisation, European citizens are central actors in the transition towards an integrated, low-carbon, secure, reliable, resilient, accessible, cost-efficient and market-based energy system by the year 2050.” says ETIP SNET Chairman Nikos Hatziargyriou.

Vision 2050 presents consolidated and qualitative views developed over the last year by the ETIP SNET working structure including 12 different stakeholder groups, for the energy systems of 2050 and the associated high-level research, development and innovation (RD&I) challenges. It also indicates the framework in which RD&I efforts should be pursued in the decades to come.

The ETIP SNET Vision 2050 calls for action, urging all energy stakeholders and Member States to act today, in a coordinated way to achieve a successful energy transition and reach a near zero-carbon footprint by 2050.