Electricity

The next wave of digital innovation – and disruption – in the electricity sector will rely on artificial intelligence and Blockchain technology, according to the new boss of the European power grid operators association, ENTSO-E, who is drafting an IT roadmap for publication later this year.

Shareholders of Greece's power utility Public Power Corp. (PPC) approved yesterday (17 January) the transfer of a 51% stake in the power grid operator ADMIE, part of a spin-off scheme, which is a major term in Greece's bailout programme.

History was made in France a little over a year ago when national delegates from across the world agreed on a landmark climate deal. With the Paris Agreement now ratified, the host nation is introducing a plethora of fresh green legislation. EurActiv's media partner edie.net reports.

Jobs and Growth Commissioner Jyrki Katainen has insisted that the low-carbon transition and energy savings are needed if Europe’s economy is to be modernised. But he warned against pushing for “insane” efficiency targets and putting too much pressure on industry.

While standards for toasters, fridges and TV sets have so far grabbed most attention, the biggest potential for power savings actually lies in integrating industries and small businesses to the electricity system, a senior EU official has said.

The European Commission's Winter Package of energy proposals, unveiled yesterday (30 November), is set to boost household and local power generation, but obstacles remain.

The European Commission today (30 November) defended its 30% energy efficiency target, as opposed to the higher goal called for by MEPs and campaigners, as it unveiled "clean energy“ plans to boost renewable use, cut waste and reduce subsidies for coal power.

As the European Commission publishes its long-awaited "Winter Package" of energy laws, European companies are speaking out on the need for binding national targets for renewable energies. EurActiv France reports.

EU regulators will unveil reforms on Wednesday (30 November) to promote a greater share of renewables in Europe's grid by 2030, with plans to cut energy use by 30%, phase out subsidies for coal-fired plants and enforce greater cross-border trade.

SPECIAL REPORT / Provisions in the EU’s carbon market designed to help poorer countries move to low carbon energy are being abused to subsidise fossil fuels and need to be dropped, 31 organisations and networks campaigning to end coal have said.

SPECIAL REPORT / An electricity market revamp could see battery storage go mainstream. But questions remain over who will put the infrastructure in place.

SPECIAL REPORT / EU member states have pressed ahead with a variety of schemes to remunerate energy generators for keeping power plants on stand-by, despite warnings from Brussels. It now seems certain that such "capacity mechanisms" will remain a fact of life, at least for the foreseeable future.