The ETIP SNET published the new version of its R&I Implementation Plan 2022-2025

The EU “Green Deal” and the related European national requirements set precise targets to be achieved by 2030. Nevertheless, the corresponding required R&I pathways are not linear but discontinuous for each energy system and integration goal. The ETIP SNET R&I Implementation Plan 2022-2025, recently published on the Publications Office of the European Union, aims to translate these requirements into fundamental and discernible features of the European energy system of 2030 to be realised through concrete R&I projects. In doing so, this publication updates and complements the previous publication, the ETIP SNET R&I Implementation Plan 2021-2024.

One of the main goals of the ETIP SNET is to draft Roadmaps (RMs) and Implementation Plans (IPs), which are regularly updated. The RM 2020-2030 defined the six main Research Areas that needed to be addressed. The IP 2022-2025 reuses the basic ideas defined in the previous RM and IP, including the Research Areas, and introduces the new concept of High Level Use Cases (HLUCs) and the Priority Project Concepts (PPCs) that describe families of projects providing tangible results and thus are more comprehensive and better adapted to the European course for research.

Background

In 2021, the European Commission (EC) put forward a comprehensive proposal to implement the European Green Deal and guide the energy transition. The fit-for-55 package aims to reduce the net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. In July 2021, the Commission adopted the first package of relevant legal proposals, which were later further refined in December 2021.

The geopolitical tensions that have recently erupted have introduced quite dire and unpredictable consequences, including a significant impact on the energy markets. The EC adopted on March 8th the REPowerEU plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030 while also outlining a series of measures to respond to the rising energy prices in Europe over the past few months and accelerating the European Green Deal. The comprehensive development of the REPowerEU plan is being prepared for publication by mid-May 2022.

Against this very complex background, with numerous challenges of economic, social, environmental and political nature, it remains instrumental that Europe accelerates its efforts in R&I. The development of smart and digitalised energy networks and services, capable of flexible generation and consumption that keep the consumer at their core, needs high investments but also high innovation capacity and market uptake. In this respect, proposing new solutions, testing them, scaling them up and rolling them out for production is crucial.

The new European energy scene lays down the framework for the common work together with the ETIP SNET. The ETIP SNET is one of the European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP) that the EC has set up to identify the R&I priorities and support the European energy transition. The previous Implementation Plans (IPs) offered significant information to the Commission towards shaping the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. The recently published IP 2022-2025 greatly updated that information and helps to form the upcoming work program 2023-2024 of Horizon Europe.

The mission of the ETIP SNET is not limited to smart electricity grids but encompasses the integration of all energy grids. The ETIP SNET brings together the main stakeholders of the energy sector and more than 350 experts from all around Europe. In this respect, the ETIP SNET consolidates the views of the main stakeholders of the energy market, including operators, national representatives, Research & Academia, equipment manufacturers, ICT, storage, flexible generation, etc.