Skip to main content
European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
CORDIS Web 30th anniversary CORDIS Web 30th anniversary

Article Category

Synergy Pack

Article available in the following languages:

Chapter 3 - Cleaning our energy system

Burning fuel for heat and energy currently accounts for three quarters of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, according to European Environment Agency figures. That’s a significant challenge that needs to be tackled to achieve the goal of becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent.

The clean energy transition requires not only the development of an energy portfolio based largely on renewable sources such as wind and solar, and the integration of green hydrogen as an energy carrier. It means a wholesale shift in how energy is generated and used: higher efficiencies in building design, the reuse of waste heat, and an interconnected and digitalised EU energy grid that can accommodate new technologies and integrate new market players. In this chapter, we show you how EU-funded projects are making this transition possible.

Energy without the emissions

A key step is to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases generated for each unit of power delivered into the grid. In Finland, EU funding is set to deliver a 20 megawatt solar energy park that will reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1 540 tonnes per year. In the small German town of Geretsried, EAVORLOOP is demonstrating how geothermal technology could provide the EU with a scalable and secure source of renewable heat and power, while the CarbFix2 project in Iceland has developed an innovative method for capturing waste CO2 from a geothermal plant, converting it into carbonate rock and storing it permanently underground. A successful energy transition requires us to prioritise energy efficiency and improve the energy performance of buildings. By shifting the focus away from a single building and instead working to renovate an entire neighbourhood, the ZERO-PLUS project has reduced initial construction costs by at least 16 %.

Secure and affordable energy for all

Another key aspect of the EU’s energy transition is ensuring a secure and affordable energy supply for all. The Implementation of Baltic Synchronisation Project is leveraging smart grid technologies to help Baltic countries plug into the European network and disconnect from Russia and Belarus. Meanwhile, collective purchase schemes pioneered by CLEAR-X helped consumers shift to renewables, saving money and energy. Addressing the length of the value chain, from the point at which energy enters the grid to its end use in homes, businesses and beyond, these projects exemplify the critical role EU funding plays in accelerating Europe’s clean energy transition.

Related projects

Chapters