Page 5 - European Energy Innovation magazine - spring 2023 edition

Spring 2023 European Energy Innovation
FOREWORD 5

Foreword

ne year ago, as we reacted we need answers to these challenges. and digital solutions, cybersecurity,
with outrage and horror Smart management is one, and Weiss energy consumption of the ICT
to Russia’s brutally illegal argues the crucial role of industry, sector and, perhaps crucially, funding
Oinvasion of its neighbour, pointing out that ready-made options, given that the process will
we were only beginning to appreciate solutions already exist, and that require investment of some €584
its potential consequences for scaling up Danish technologies would billion during this decade.
the European economy, and even also offer significant energy savings.
for its way of life. No doubt these The legislative approach involves Decarbonisation of the aviation sector
factors featured heavily in Moscow’s the Urban Waste Water Treatment often features on these pages, also
calculations. Directive and the Industrial Emissions for good reason. Dietmar Bloemen
Directive, which, she argues, need to reminds us that growth in traffic is
Since then, Ukraine’s ingenuity, balance the needs for a water-smart outpacing efficiency improvements
resilience and resolve under its society with those of the economy. and driving the sector’s emissions
charismatic and inspirational leader upward. Sustainable fuels (SAF) are a
have become a beacon of hope, “Probably two of the most key element of reducing emissions in
while, bogged down in the ‘meat essential, interlinked, and precious the near term, and Bloemen explains
grinder’ in the East and forced to resources in our daily lives.” So their climate benefits before going
retreat in the South, Moscow’s says Monica Frassoni as she on to examine the safety aspects
“Special Military Operation” has explores the water-energy nexus of blending SAF with conventional
failed spectacularly as Leopards in more detail. Commenting that fuel. He calls for additional regulatory
and HIMARS balance economic and advanced technologies such as measures to support SAF adoption
humanitarian aid in our response to AI and connected sensors can because the industry is at a very early
the expanding catalogue of Russian optimise the energy consumption stage of development
atrocity. of wastewater treatment, she adds
that more nature-based solutions, EU dependence on Russian
Now, the winter heating season such as green roofs and green hydrocarbons had been increasing
is almost behind us. As we begin spaces in urban areas, can increase steadily, even as supply was being
to absorb the far-reaching effects retention and reduce runoff. She throttled just before the tanks
of higher energy prices upon our also advocates digitalisation within began to roll. The past year has
economies, we must not allow the manufacturing, energy and taught that energy security for the
ourselves to be distracted from agriculture sectors to promote water state, and energy poverty for its
Climate Change, the slow-motion re-use, and a strong policy framework citizens, represent both danger
catastrophe looming over us all. Even to incentivise water and energy and opportunity: not only in the
as last Summer’s dry rivers, record efficiency and enable deployment of geopolitical sense, but also in the
temperatures and wildfires, and these solutions at scale. Adding that context of climate change. But record
2021’s record flood events begin to treated waste water contains valuable growth in wind and solar generation
fade from the collective memory, that renewable energy in the form of heat have helped renewables to produce a
fight is far from over; and neither is simply reinforces her call for Europe quarter of EU electricity since the war
the conflict in the Donbas. to adopt a more systemic and holistic began, saving 70 bcm of gas imports,
approach: the long-awaited European worth an estimated €99bn. Gas, at
For good reasons, as it turns out, Water Strategy. least, that has not been burned this
water features prominently in year.
this issue; and Pernille Weiss MEP On that theme, Pearse O’Donohue
challenges us to give it us much explains the Commission’s approach And there is more for you to read
attention as we do to energy. The to digitalising the energy system. inside…
OECD forecasts a 55% increase Decarbonisation of the sector is
in global demand, and as climate one goal, and O’Donohue explores
change causes more droughts in the the issues in a series of questions Michael Edmund
South and more floods in the North, covering investment in smart grids Editor

www.europeanenergyinnovation.eu