Gigafactories are key to Europe’s strategic autonomy, but years of outsourcing have left the continent reliant on foreign technology. This is why industry and research are now teaming up to regain control of the machines that power the transition. Because the experts’ warning is clear: “If we don’t produce batteries here, we’ll keep losing money and knowledge.” 

As Europe’s clean energy capacity grows, a new wave of tech is coming into industrial practice, addressing grid volatility and emissions while keeping the EU’s industrial base competitive. The real test ahead: turning replication into good business.

From the war in Ukraine to climate extremes, Europe’s energy future depends on more than new infrastructure: it needs smarter, open and shared tools to simulate uncertainty, coordinate responses, and avoid costly mistakes. “If we want a common future, we need a common modelling infrastructure,” experts warn

Europe’s SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) account for more than half of the continent’s jobs but are now reeling from soaring energy costs. A new AI–driven platform will deploy ‘agents’ to crunch industry data, identify new solutions, and keep Europe’s factories humming.

With extreme weather events increasing due to climate change, experts about from the unpreparedness of the electricity network. To boost its resilience, researchers all across Europe are advancing DC grids, and unlocking solutions like solid-state transformers and hybrid microgrids: “They would enhance grid efficiency and help local supply mission-critical facilities”

So-called “energy-intensive industries” account for 25% of global CO2 emissions. Yet, this burden can be turned into an asset for the grid and the Planet. Crucial for this change of paradigm is “flexibility”: a novel bottom-up approach promising to decarbonise and transform them into energy and stability providers

Fossil fuels still account for over 60% of global electricity generation. Experts warn of a “discouraging trend” but part of the solution might come from “local energy communities”: integrated hubs, optimizing the synergies between different energy vectors and thus cutting CO2 emissions and costs

To manage future electricity demand in line with the EU's Energy Roadmap 2050, power grids need to rely on both supply and demand flexibility and be structured as a system of systems.  

An interconnected energy system of the future requires decentralised, democratic and resilient electricity trading. Ever more companies are wishing for blockchain technology to become a core feature of the European electricity market

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the European Union in 2004, but their grids are still synchronised with Russia and Belarus. Now they have agreed a target date to become a part of the continental Europe’s energy system

By 2030, 32% of the energy consumed in the EU must be generated from renewable sources, such as water, wind and sun. To achieve this, it doesn’t suffice to increase the number of wind turbines and solar cells. Extended and adapted transport and distribution grids are also necessary.

In the future, point-to-point offshore connections are expected to evolve into multi-terminal HVDC-systems to increase power exchange between countries and strengthen the energy market of renewables

“Offshore wind energy has come to the point where it can start competing with traditional energy sources like new nuclear and gas,” says energy expert Iñigo Azpiri, who is part of a team of European researchers studying the interconnection of offshore windfarms to land using HVDC grids to avoid power losses. “If industry manages to lower cable technology costs, we will be able to deploy a grid that can send renewable energy much further across Europe.”

Often in electric power systems, some devices, like converters, don’t communicate effectively and securely one with another because they come from different suppliers. This can be a problem for the electric highways of the future. Improvements in “interoperability” between diverse equipment may be a solution. Expert Olivier Despouys shares his insights

Huge electric pylons are visually intrusive. Will the solution be slimmer pylons or underground lines? We asked electricity grid expert Matthias Müller-Mienack

One of the main problems with the transition from fossil fuels to renewable electricity is the unreliability of the supply. However, this can be tackled by pioneering technologies for storing energy and upgrading grids

The author of the “Green growth” concept asserts that the key to developing supergrids is private initiative driven by breakthrough technologies. Investors will then push for political agreement between countries

A more flexible grid will give room to more market players trading renewables. It can also lead to a fair price for the electricity

The share of delayed projects for new electric lines has increased, partly due to public opposition, states the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. Local communities involved ask for decision processes more transparent and inclusive