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Breaking new ground

Breaking new ground

Wind Energy and the Electrification of Europe’s Energy System

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Overview

The decarbonisation of Europe’s electricity sector has been one of the most transformative changes in the economy over the last two decades. However, electricity is only about 24% of Europe’s energy consumption. And renewables account only for 30% of Europe’s electricity supply today. The vast majority of Europe’s energy remains fossil fuel-based.

Considering Europe’s remarkable potential for renewable power generation, a rapid electrification of the most carbon-intensive energy uses is the best and most efficient way to simultaneously decarbonise and grow Europe’s economy.

Integrating the power sector in heating, cooling and transport is the next big transformation in Europe’s economy. Coupled with advances in digitalisation, machine learning and artificial intelligence, a renewables-based energy system could become an engine of growth and technological leadership.

With this report, WindEurope puts forward two pathways for the electrification of Europe’s energy system, capitalising on the societal benefits of electrification.

Findings

1
Europe’s energy future is electric. Europe’s electricity share in energy use could reach 62% in 2050 with ambitious Paris-compatible policies. This would reduce Europe’s energy-related emissions by 90% by 2050.

2
An ambitious electrification is affordable. Energy expenditure in a Paris-compatible scenario would be 2.7% of Europe’s annual GDP to 2050 only 0.5 percentage points than with perfect implementation of current policies.

3
Industry could reach 86% of electrification by 2050 under Paris-compatible policies. This would reduce 88% of its energy-related emissions by 2050.

4
Commercial buildings would reach 78% of electrification by 2050 under Paris-compatible policies. Households would be 59%. This would reduce energy-related emissions by 70%.

5
Sales of passenger vehicles with internal combustion engines will peak in 2025 under current policies. Electric cars should account for 95% of new sales by 2035 on all scenarios of decarbonisation.

6
Hydrogen demand for transport and heating could be up 4.8% of energy demand in 2050.

7
Wind energy could install more than 20 GW/year from 2030 to 2050. At this rate, wind would generate 36% of Europe’s power by 2050

Explore the key figures

Main results of scenario analysis

Benefits of Electrification

Key input parameters to the scenarios

Energy-related CO2 emissions trajectory – accelerated electrification scenario

Final energy demand by sector of activity

Final energy demand by fuel

Energy-related CO2 emissions trajectory for Europe to comply with the Paris Agreement

Energy expenditures as a share of GDP

Final energy demand per sector

Final energy demand per energy carrier

Electricity use by sector

Summary of scenarios and results

Emissions in industrial processes, accelerated electrification scenario

Energy use in manufacturing goods and industrial processes – Paris-compatible scenario

Energy use in residential and commercial buildings

Emissions in residential and commercial building

EV share in new sales of light passenger and heavy vehicles

Shifting drive train and vehicle fleet numbers

Fuel use in road transport

Energy use in transport per sub-sector

Share of renewable electricity generation

European power mix

European power mix

Grid capacity additions by voltage class

Grid length in circuit kilometres by voltage level

Hydrogen demand

Residual load over 6 weeks in 2017 and 2050 in the Netherlands

Sources of flexibility

Seasonality of potential load shift

Battery storage capacity available for Electric Vehicles compared to capacity required for managing variable RES


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