Digitalising the energy system – EU Action Plan

Summary:

Communication adopted by the European Commission on 18 October 2022, setting out an action plan aimed at using new technologies to improve the European Union's energy system.

Further information:

Digital and sustainable transformation of the energy system across the European Union (EU) is seen as essential to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels, tackle the climate crisis and ensure affordable access to energy as stated by the European Green Deal and REPowerEU. The EU requires an energy system which is much smarter and interactive; an effort in digitalisation is required to achieve energy and resource efficiency, decarbonisation, electrification, sector integration and decentralisation.

While some work has already been carried out in the energy sector, more is needed to fully exploit the potential of digital technologies. This includes sharing data across the energy value chain, and linking these data with weather models, mobility patterns, financial services and geographic location systems through ever-more powerful computing capacity.

This Communication highlights how new technologies can help improve the efficient use of energy resources, facilitate the integration of renewables into the grid, and save costs for EU consumers and companies. It was adopted by the European Commission on 18 October 2022, building on its EU Strategy for Energy System Integration.

• Primary Source

• Alternative Source

Official

EUR-LEX: SWD(2022)341: Staff Working Document accompanying the Communication https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=SWD:2022:341:FIN

European Commission: Topics: Digitalisation of the energy system https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-systems-integration/digitalisation-energy-system_en

European Commission: Press Release, 18/10/2022: Commission sets out actions to digitalise the energy sector to improve efficiency and renewables integration https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_6228

European Commission: Questions and Answers: EU action plan on digitalising the energy system (18 October 2022) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_22_6229

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