
Training Series
Connecting Energies 2024 Civil Society Training Series
While planning the energy system, different elements should be taken into consideration. This December, two new RGI Factsheets dive into two important ones: implementing circular approaches within electricity grids and optimising offshore network development plans with holistic planning. Check them out below!
The Renewables Grid Initiative invited participants to Connecting Energies 2024, an expert-led training series designed to equip civil society with the knowledge needed to advocate for a decarbonised, renewables-based, and affordable energy system. This three-part webinar series covered fundamental aspects of the electricity system, including grid technologies, load balancing, flexibility, and electricity metering and pricing. Participants gained key insights into how grid infrastructure, technologies, and market mechanisms evolved to support the energy transition.
The sessions provided a deep dive into the physical components of the grid; key technologies and approaches that enabled the integration of renewable energy and ensured that green electricity was delivered at every hour, every day of the week (24/7); and the challenges and opportunities related to metering and pricing. Each session focused on practical concepts that NGOs could leverage in their advocacy efforts to drive faster renewable energy adoption and to support grid development and expansion. Whether participants were new to energy systems or looking to deepen their understanding, this training provided essential knowledge to support the shift to a net-zero future.
Connecting Electrons
Online│29 November 2024│10:00 – 11:30 CET

This session explored the fundamental components of the electricity grid—substations, transformers, lines, and cables—and how different electricity grid technologies (such as smart grids) can be deployed to support and allow for a broad participation in the energy transition. Participants learned about the challenges related to modernising grid infrastructure and supply chains constraints, essential for embracing the complexity of the energy transition. (Recording unavailable).
Balancing Connections
Online│6 December 2024│10:00 – 11:30 CET

Participants dove into technologies and approaches that allow electricity grid operators to manage demand and supply in an energy system with increasing shares of variable renewables. NGOs gained critical insights of the related opportunities and challenges and explore the implications of demand-driven decarbonisation initiatives, such as 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE), that aim at sourcing carbon-free energy in a time and location-matched manner.
Connecting Consumers
Online | 13 December 2024 | 10:00 – 11:30 CET

This session covered modern electricity metering, including smart meters, and the pricing structures that determine consumer costs. Participants learned about emerging trends in dynamic pricing and data monitoring and how these changes can unlock flexibility offered by individual consumers. Participants also learned how these insights can strengthen NGOs’ efforts for fair and inclusive energy transition.
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contact
Mara Zainea
mara[at]renewables-grid.euManager – Communication

Dr. Andrzej Ceglarz
andrzej@renewables-grid.euDirector – Energy Systems

Alexandros Fakas Kakouris
alexandros[at]renewables-grid.euSenior Manager – Energy and Policy Systems


Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU or LIFE Programme. Neither the EU nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.