Industry in Transition – The role of electricity grids in decarbonising European industry

As efforts towards a decarbonised energy system intensify worldwide, different sectors will have important roles to play. In particular, the industrial sector can support the energy transition, including actions towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing incentives for renewable energy and grid infrastructure.

In this context, industrial decarbonisation strategies can vary in terms of ambition and technologies. However, electricity grids constitute the common denominator to a range of key strategies, essential for achieving deep decarbonisation in industry, which include direct electrification, flexibility, demand-side response as well and green hydrogen production.

Moreover, to achieve ambitious decarbonisation targets, different energy-intensive consumers have committed to procuring energy through a granular approach in terms of time and space, utilising the 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) framework.

Additionally, transmission system operators possess an essential role in the implementation of 24/7 CFE. At the same time, the deep decarbonisation of large-energy consumers requires both adequate and flexible physical and digital infrastructure, as well as supportive regulatory frameworks.