Europe’s clean energy transition depends not only on renewable energy, but also on the electricity grids and power system technologies that connect, manage and deliver it.

As electricity demand continues to grow, Europe is facing increasing climate, security and geopolitical pressures, while grid expansion and modernisation struggle to keep pace. Accelerating electrification will require a resilient, modern and technologically advanced electricity system, supported by sustained investment in research, development and innovation.

For this reason, the EERA Joint Programme on Smart Grids, together with 26 other organisations, has published a position paper calling for stronger European support for RD&I in electric power system components.

The position paper, titled “Securing Europe’s electrified future through RD&I in electric power system components”, highlights the strategic role of grid technologies and power system components in enabling decarbonisation, strengthening industrial competitiveness, reinforcing energy security and supporting Europe’s strategic autonomy.

As discussions on FP10, the European Competitiveness Fund and future EU energy policies move forward, the paper calls on the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member States to:

• strengthen support for collaborative European RD&I programmes dedicated to electric power system components and grid-enhancing technologies;
• ensure stronger alignment between industrial, energy and research policies;
• support the development, testing and industrial scale-up of sustainable electrical grid components manufactured in Europe;
• reinforce Europe’s industrial and technological leadership in strategic grid technologies;
• accelerate innovation pathways enabling the integration of renewable energy sources, increased system flexibility and more efficient use of existing infrastructure.

The recently launched Electrify Now initiative, aimed at accelerating clean electrification across transport, buildings and industry, further underlines the growing importance of electrification on the EU policy agenda. To turn these ambitions into reality, Europe must ensure that strategic investment in grid innovation keeps pace.

Investing in grid innovation means investing in Europe’s climate ambitions, competitiveness, energy security and future resilience.

THE FULL POSITION PAPER IS AVAILABLE HERE