The Oil Drum: Europe | The EU Strategic Energy Review: maybe not so depressing after all

60 comments on The EU Strategic Energy Review: maybe not so depressing after all

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mbnewtrain on November 14, 2008 - 2:37am

The EU as a whole (except Norway) is a net fossil fuel importer by a huge margin. To go to renewables for "energy security" has one flaw: storage. Of any possible source of energy, either wind, solar, tidal or wave which can produce electric power, all will require a means of storage. What is the EU doing to promote the research and development of this energy storage? Without this key element in an energy plan, no renewables even comes close to supplanting fossil fuels.

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gregorach on November 14, 2008 - 9:23am

Well, from http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/nn/nn_rt/nn_rt_st/article_1157_en.htm:

"During the past few years over €30 million has been allocated to more than 20 projects in the field of energy storage."

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mbnewtrain on November 14, 2008 - 10:45am

I could not get the link to work. Even 30 million Euros is a drop in the bucket for research purposes. They need to invest 3 billion to get anywhere on bringing energy storage into production.

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RSFB on November 15, 2008 - 9:07am

The EU as a whole (except Norway)

No need for the exception, as Norway isn't part of the EU.

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DaveMart on November 15, 2008 - 9:14am

Here is one energy storage project:

Energy island to supply green power when wind drops

Huge dykes would be constructed to hold back the sea and the centre of the island would be dug down to 40 metres (130ft) below sea level. Pipes in dykes would allow sea water to pour in, generating electricity in the same way as some dams. The water would then be pumped out. The electricity generated by the water pouring in is matched or exceeded by that needed to pump it out. The island should make a profit because it consumes electricity at a cheaper rate than it generates it.
Kema, the Dutch company behind the €3-3.5 billion (£2.5 billion) plan, is carrying out a feasibility study to pinpoint the best location. The Dutch Government is among potential investors. The project with a capacity of 1,500MW - similar to two large power plants - should help the Netherlands to reach its renewable energy target and its aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent by 2020.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article5119585.ece

It can be done, but of course has to be added to the already large costs of renewable energy generation.

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