System integration: the key to Europe’s energy trilemma

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In a continually darkening geostrategic environment, energy security is becoming an ever more urgent goal for European policymakers. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, and a more coercive United States have Europe rethinking its external energy dependencies, almost all of which come with political baggage. Europe is also focusing on internal energy security—ensuring energy reaches consumers efficiently, reliably, and affordably.

Energy integration within the European Union (EU) and with neighboring states enhances all three aspects of the energy trilemma: security, affordability, and sustainability. When a member state faces disruptions to electricity or natural gas supply, cross-border transfers from neighboring states can smooth over supply and price shocks. As Europe continues its clean energy transition, greater integration allows better management of intermittent renewable electricity like solar and wind, reducing curtailment. Overall energy costs in the EU will also decrease, as more demand can be met by the least expensive available generation within the bloc and connected neighboring countries.

But there are economic and political challenges.

Source: Wikipedia