In this podcast we explore the potential ecological benefits of increasing our capacity to store energy, especially from renewable sources. As the availability of some renewable energy sources is variable and intermittent, devising new energy storage capacities could ensure energy security and reliability and help the EU in its efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

EPRS Science and Technology Podcast - What if increased energy storage could help fix climate change?

The energy crisis of 2022 has brought new challenges for the EU electricity market. Concerns over very high prices, security of energy supply, and the need to increase decarbonisation have sparked discussions on the need to redesign the EU's electricity market. After the short-term measures adopted to mitigate the impact of the energy crisis, the European Commission has unveiled its much-awaited plan to reform the electricity market, with a triple objective: to shelter consumers from excessive bills, boost renewables and enhance competitiveness.

EPRS Policy podcast - Revamping the EU electricity market

The EU solar energy strategy proposed under the REPowerEU plan aims to make solar energy a cornerstone of the EU energy system. Boosting renewable energy is also an important part of the European Green Deal in the context of the green transition towards climate neutrality. Solar energy is affordable, clean and has been the fastest-growing energy source in the last decade. It can be used for electricity and heating, while also helping reduce EU dependency on energy imports by replacing them with domestic production. EU measures to boost solar energy include making the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of new buildings obligatory within a specific timeframe, streamlining permitting procedures for renewable energy projects, improving the skills base in the solar sector and boosting the EU's capacity to manufacture photovoltaic panels.

EPRS policy podcast - Solar energy in the EU

<p>By making energy more efficient, Europeans will see their energy bills reduced. In addition, Europe will diminish its reliance on external suppliers of oil and gas, improve local air quality and protect the climate.</p>

<p>By 2030, energy efficiency in the EU must have improved by 32.5%, whereas the share of energy from renewables should make up at least 32% of the EU’s gross final consumption. Both targets are to be reviewed by 2023. These targets can only be raised, not lowered. Lower energy bills and the right to become a renewable self-consumer will be the result.</p>

#EUelections2019 - Clean energy and energy efficiency

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

This infoclip illustrates energy poverty with a gender perspective: explosion of energy poverty that is particularly affecting single mothers and single women. Illustrations with NGO with volunteers, preparing and distributing hot meals for people in need, at home woman saving money, reducing heat, fuel station filling car's tank.

Infoclip: Gender aspects of energy poverty

The EU energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD) was adopted in 2010 and revised in 2018, with a view to improving the energy performance and increasing the rate of renovation of commercial and residential buildings in the EU. In 2020, Commission President Von der Leyen presented a plan to reduce the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % in 2030 (compared to 1990). This would require a series of coordinated actions at EU level, including the revision of existing energy and climate legislation. As part of the Fit for 55 package, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal to revise the EPBD on 15 December 2021. In the European Parliament, the file was allocated to the ITRE committee with Ciarán Cuffe (Greens/EFA, Ireland) as rapporteur. The footage shows a house being insulated to improve its energy performance.

Infoclip: Energy performance of buildings - insulation

The EU energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD) was adopted in 2010 and revised in 2018, with a view to improving the energy performance and increasing the rate of renovation of commercial and residential buildings in the EU. In 2020, Commission President Von der Leyen presented a plan to reduce the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % in 2030 (compared to 1990). This would require a series of coordinated actions at EU level, including the revision of existing energy and climate legislation. As part of the Fit for 55 package, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal to revise the EPBD on 15 December 2021. In the European Parliament, the file was allocated to the ITRE committee with Ciarán Cuffe (Greens/EFA, Ireland) as rapporteur. The footage shows prospective clients visiting different real estate agencies to discuss the energy performance of housing.

Infoclip: Fit for 55 - Energy Performance of Buildings

This infoclip shows the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure with electric cars, electric and hybrid public transport, hydrogen train and hydrogen refuel stations for trucks . On 14 July 2021, the European Commission presented a package of proposals to equip the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % by 2030, compared with 1990 levels – the 'fit for 55' package. The package includes a proposal to revise the 2014 directive on alternative fuels infrastructure and turn it into a regulation.

Infoclip: Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure

During the voting session in the European Parliament on the 5th October 2022, MEPs vote on motions for resolutions on the EU's response to the increase in energy prices in Europe.

Voting session: Motions for resolutions - The EU’s response to the increase in energy prices in Europe

On 19 November 2020, the European Commission published an EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for a climate neutral future. The Offshore Renewable Strategy was widely anticipated as part of the European Green Deal. The Offshore Renewable Strategy aims to dramatically increase the EU's production of electricity from offshore renewable energy sources from the current 12 gigawatts (GW) to 60GW by 2030 and 300GW by 2050. MEPs say that a net-zero emissions economy requires renewable energy to be deployed on an unprecedented scale. MEPs highlight that the cost of offshore wind has fallen dramatically in the last two decades (declining by 48% between 2010 and 2020), making it one of the most competitively priced sources of energy. This illustrative footage shows regular and aerial drone views of traditional wind energy as well as aerial drone views of an offshore wind energy.

Infoclip: Renewable energy – wind turbines

MEPs debate on a revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), the law that sets energy saving targets in both primary and final energy consumption in the EU. The draft legislation would require member states to collectively ensure a reduction of energy consumption of at least 40% by 2030 in final energy consumption and 42.5% in primary energy consumption compared to 2007 figures. Closing statements by Niels FUGLSANG (S&D, DK) Rapporteur and Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy.

Energy efficiency (recast): closing statements by Niels FUGLSANG (S&D, DK) Rapporteur and Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy

MEPs debate on a revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), the law that sets energy saving targets in both primary and final energy consumption in the EU. The draft legislation would require member states to collectively ensure a reduction of energy consumption of at least 40% by 2030 in final energy consumption and 42.5% in primary energy consumption compared to 2007 figures.

energy efficiency (T)

Videos

Infoclip: Gender aspects of energy poverty

Infoclip: Energy performance of buildings - insulation

Infoclip: Fit for 55 - Energy Performance of Buildings

Infoclip: Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure

Voting session: Motions for resolutions - The EU’s response to the increase in energy prices in Europe

Infoclip: Renewable energy – wind turbines

Energy efficiency (recast): closing statements by Niels FUGLSANG (S&D, DK) Rapporteur and Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy

Energy efficiency (recast): MEPs debate

Photos

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

Press Conference on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive

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Topics

#EUelections2019 - Clean energy and energy efficiency

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Audios

EPRS Science and Technology Podcast - What if increased energy storage could help fix climate change?

EPRS Policy podcast - Revamping the EU electricity market

EPRS policy podcast - Solar energy in the EU

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