The 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) approach aims at establishing a voluntary demand decarbonisation framework by matching in an hourly basis renewable energy generation with electricity demand on the local grid. To its implementation, flexibility is crucial, helping to mitigate variability and uncertainty. Learn more about the correlation between the 24/7 CFE approach and energy system flexibility in our Factsheet, based on the insights from "Balancing Connections: Introduction to flexibility in a renewables-based energy system", one of our sessions of the "Connecting Energies 2024: Civil Society Training Series".

Scaling up offshore renewable deployment will be crucial to meet European decarbonisation targets. However, it will also require an understanding of the infrastructure needs and how the system should be designed to use available resources in an optimised way. Tackling challenges and highlighting the importance of offshore network development plans, RGI's Factsheet 'Shaping our Offshore Path' shares possible solutions and approaches for offshore energy planning, based on expert input from the Modellers’ Exchange Workshop "Turning the tide – Optimising Europe’s Offshore Energy Future with Holistic Planning and Engagement".

The expansion of electricity grids to meet climate and energy goals will require significant resources, creating pressure on supply chains to deliver the needed components and materials for the infrastructure build-up. In this context, circularity can support reducing the impact of supply chain constraints, as well as avoiding and minimising environmental and social footprints from grid deployment. Learn more about how grid operators can implement circular approaches throughout the different lifecycle steps in RGI's Wired for Circularity factsheet, based on input from RGI's Expert Exchange Workshop from June 2024.

Due to the urgent challenges posed by the energy, climate, and biodiversity crises, it is necessary to understand the varied approaches of different EU Member States in accelerating the planning and permitting of offshore wind and grid, alongside nature protection and restoration. To address this, OCEaN has organised a webinar series which highlights legal and regulatory frameworks within selected countries related to offshore wind, grid and nature planning and permitting. 

The second webinar in this series spotlighted the policies, regulations and laws shaping the Danish approach to accelerating offshore wind in tandem with nature protection.  An informative factsheet was published to provide key insights into the topics covered by our expert speakers. We hope these factsheets will help readers understand the intricate relationships between legal, regulatory, planning and permitting aspects and how these frameworks support the realisation of sustainable energy transition goals and environmental targets in European seas.

Decarbonisation of industry is a crucial step to ensuring the European Union's climate targets. However, the industrial transition to net-zero can be challenging as it should also ensure EU competitiveness, optimise costs and resources, and prevent carbon leakage. In this context, what are important elements to keep in mind? And how does a granular approach towards 24/7 Carbon Free Energy (CFE) impact electricity grids? Learn more in our new factsheet!

Reaching our decarbonisation targets requires deployment of wind energy in European seas. If we look at the Netherlands, what is the current state of offshore wind development and how do their plans include nature? The Netherlands currently has 4.7 GW of offshore wind energy installed (approx. 670 turbines). Their ambitions: 21 GW by 2030 and 70 GW by 2050. Due to the shallow depth of the North Sea, turbines are bottom-fixed, a commercially used technology with better known impacts. These plans must protect marine nature to conserve the ecosystem services we depend upon. Strong policy and regulations for both offshore wind expansion and nature are necessary to support this goal.

RGI, while working together with German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Aarhus University, contributes to Destination Earth (DestinE) – a European Commission initiative that aims at creating a model version of Earth that monitors and simulates the interactions between human activities and natural phenomena. RGI will engage with energy system modellers and grid operators to ensure the compatibility between the tools to be developed under the Use Case Energy Systems and the users' needs and workflow. Learn more about the project in our factsheet!

Public engagement for energy infrastructure is of increasing importance as public opposition to projects such as wind farms or electricity grids poses challenges to meeting climate and energy targets. As energy infrastructure moves closer to people’s homes, there is a call for effective and meaningful public engagement on energy infrastructure projects. But what drives or retains public engagement in energy infrastructure? This factsheets explores what is public engagement, why it is important and how it can be meaningfully implemented while considering different challenges.

Large consumers such as companies, cities and universities can leverage their energy procurement processes to support the decarbonisation of the energy system.  Through the 24/7 Carbon Free Energy (CFE) framework, these actors can ensure their operations take into account the time and place of generation, ensuring a reduced impact on the energy system overall.

As the climate change increases weather variability and chances for extreme events to happen, a climate resilient planning and operating processes for the electricity grid is necessary. This includes understanding how the electricity system might be sensitive to weather, as well as what adaptation solutions must be implemented to increase the grid resilience. This factsheet summarises key elements of discussions held during RGI's Modellers’ Exchange Workshop organised in September 2022 in collaboration with Hitachi Energy. It includes tools, challenges and solutions to be considered when building the electricity grid of the future.

This Factsheet explains what is the Renewables Grid Initiative, as well as details its vision, Members, funding mechanisms and most important activities. It also offers an overview of the relevant publications so far.