The third ‘Beyond Borders: Breakfast Debate’ organised by the Border Focal Point Network, held on 24th June, focused on how cross-border regions can create added value in the sector of integrated energy systems. As highlighted by Ms Nathalie Verschelde, Deputy Head of Unit at DG REGIO, cross-border cooperation can make an important contribution to harnessing joint territorial potential, allowing countries to benefit from local complementarities in producing renewable energy, developing storage solutions, research, and innovation.
Nevertheless, the EU-wide assessment of national energy and climate plans shows that there still is much untapped potential in terms of cross-border energy initiatives mainly due to legal impediments (see pool results below). For example, cross-border electricity transactions are frequently limited because legal frameworks do not allow for low voltage exchanges of electricity across the border. As a result, regulatory improvements are needed, and the proposed European cross-border mechanisms could make a significant contribution to facilitating such improvements.
However, local projects bring together evidence of how cross-border cooperation can help achieve the EU’s transition to sustainable energy. During this third ‘Beyond Borders: Breakfast Debate’, we invited some of these projects, who shared with us their good practices and challenges.
How cross-border regions are contributing to clean energy transition? - Evidence from the territories
First case study: RES-TMO project
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Who: Upper Rhine Cluster of Sustainability Research
Where: FR-DE-CH border |
The first project was presented by its Project Manager, Ms Ines Gavrilut from the University of Freiburg. RES-TMO is an applied research initiative co-funded by the ERDF through the Upper Rhine Interreg Programme. Composed of a consortium of 15 research, private and public partners from 3 countries (Germany, France and Switzerland), the overall aim of the project is to accelerate the energy transition in the Upper Rhine Region by uncovering synergies from complementary energy generation, demand and storage capacities. The findings reveal that wind and photovoltaic energy is much larger than the demand of the region. The modelling, showcases that, in situations in which 80% of the energy production comes from renewable sources, the storage needs to increase considerably, implying higher costs. The findings also identify several challenges, such as regulatory frameworks and availability, quality, and harmonisation of data, that need to be tackled.
Second case study: SEREH project
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Who: Emmen and Haren municipalities
Where: NL-DE border |
The second initiative was introduced by Ms Melinda Loonstra-Buzogány, Energy Transition Advisor at the Municipality of Emmen and Coordinator of the project. SEREH, a cross-border project initiated by two neighbouring cities, Emmen (NL) and Haren (DE), aims to exploit the complementarity of both cities to reach local energy transition goals. Haren produces almost 150% of its electric power demand in renewable energy (RE), while Emmen has a large energy demand because of its industrial area, but a low production level of RE (7%). Due to the increasing cost of the energy system and the overload of the transmission grid, the SEREH project wants to design the pre-conditions for installing a decentralised cross-border electricity and energy market keeping the economic benefit of energy transition in the region and generating new jobs. Through two innovative elements (the cross-border energy community and the cross-border power distribution system), the project is producing very promising preliminary results, with an estimated system saving in the region of €10 million.
Third case study: the BluSARE project
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Who: Basque Energy Cluster
Where: ES-FR border |
The last project was introduced by Mr Ander González, Project Engineer at the Basque Energy Cluster. BlueSARE is an initiative, supported by the Aquitaine-Euskadi Euroregion, aimed at fostering the development of a Euroregional Marine Renewable Energy offer to position the area (with its companies and institutions) as an international reference in this emerging sector. The Basque Country (ES) and Nouvelle-Aquitaine (FR) territories, characterised by 870 km of coastline, solid industrial and academic fabrics, infrastructures for implementing R&D activities, and a campus of excellence, show a huge potential for Marine Renewable Energy practices, especially regarding tidal and wave energy systems. The BlueSARE project, started in 2017, was developed in partnership between the Basque Energy Cluster and the Communauté D’Agglomération du Pays Basque.
So far, the project has published a joint collaborative booklet containing a study about the potential of Marine Renewable Energy of the area and opportunities within the sector. It also promoted workshops to foster the collaboration among companies and events to promote the Marine Renewable Energy value chain in the Spanish Basque Country and Nouvelle Aquitaine.
Policy action for clean energy transition
Following the presentations of these promising local case studies, the debate moved towards the policy actions offered in the EU framework to boost clean energy transition. We invited Ms Vera Kissler, from DG ENER, who introduced the enhanced framework for regional cooperation on RES under the 2030 framework.
Ms Kissler emphasised that, from 2030, the target for the share of renewable energy in the energy mix will be set at a European level rather than a national one. Even if member states are still provided with an indicative national contribution share, this will allow more flexibility to deploy and produce renewable energy wherever is more cost-efficient and effective. Furthermore, some EU instruments for Energy transition, including the new Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) provides for several mechanisms to boost energy transition and to facilitate cooperation among member states.
However, there are still some challenges which are hampering cross-border cooperation on clean energy transition, as also confirmed by the audience (see the results poll below). The debate among the energy practitioners shed light on these challenges, which mainly relate to the transposition of the relevant Directives in Member States, affecting the coordination between national levels. Due to a lack of harmonised data, which impacts comparison and joint decision-making, the creation of intermediary bodies and structures (such as the EGTCs) is warmly recommended. These structures help develop a more strategic insight across borders and ensure implementation and sustainability over time.
Watch again
If you could not join us for this event or if you want to watch it again, the recording is available here.
