Towards an integrated energy infrastructure planning in the European Union

With the European Commission’s outline of a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, starting with gas, in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, future European energy infrastructure is the key to achieve independence and the same time guarantee security of supply with a more affordable and sustainable energy.

Already in 2019 the European Green Deal by the European Commission laid out a “new growth strategy that aims to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use”. The decarbonisation of the energy sector is a central step to achieve this green transition.

Against this background, CSEI received a grant from the European Commission (DG Energy) with the aim of identifying synergies in the planning of energy networks in the EU, whilst considering the most efficient use of existing infrastructure. 

“The methodology underpinning the identification of Projects of Common Interest on the trans-European energy networks is an essential tool for decarbonising the energy sector and for security of supply whilst ensuring best prices for consumers. We look forward to the research insights and recommendations by CSEI. With this research, the cooperation between CSEI and DG Energy has been considerably strengthened”, says Catharina Sikow-Magny, Director of Green Transition and Energy System Integration, DG Energy, European Commission. 

The planning of electricity and gas networks, commonly referred to as ten-year network development planning (TYNDP), is a process biennially carried out by the European association of transmission system operators in electricity and gas for a time horizon of ten years. The assumptions of this process evolve constantly in line with the ongoing transformation of the energy system. More specifically, the TYNDP process needs to incorporate energy system integration, energy efficiency and innovation throughout. As energy systems are set to transform, methods to model, analyse and plan energy systems are constantly evolving as well. Through this research, CSEI will aim to contribute to the implementation of these methodologies in the processes at European level.

Tooraj Jamasb, the director of CSEI adds: “We have assessed the energy network planning before and issued a report for the European Commission on challenges and possibilities. Now, we have the great opportunity to expand these findings into a research project, which will give us the opportunity to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders in order to deliver new insights on how to develop European energy network planning further.

To support adequate infrastructure planning, CSEI aims to identify cases of energy system integration within the scope of the TYNDP process and apply state of the art methodologies to them. In addition to developing a proof of concept, a central measure within the project are consultations with stakeholders and other concerned parties. CSEI seeks to identify strengths and weaknesses of the current process and propose recommendations. 

“With the establishment of the CSEI in 2019 as a European Research Center at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) we have created a new research environment, that focusses on the needs of the sector, public organizations and society in Europe within the field of energy. We are very happy about the ongoing support from the European Commission for our work”, says Philipp A. Ostrowicz, coordinator of CSEI.

For more information, please contact CSEI’s project manager Assistant Professor Christine Brandstätt (cbr.eco@cbs.dk) or CSEI’s coordinator Dr. Philipp Alexander Ostrowicz (pao.eco@cbs.dk), 41852031. 

More info about CSEI: https://csei.eu @cseicbs