InnoBlog: EU energy policies create opportunities for energy engineers!

These exciting new laws are only one piece of the larger puzzle: the Green New Deal is a comprehensive growth strategy to accelerate the green transition. You can read more about it in one of my previous blogs, here.

The noteworthy point of the Green New Deal is that it touches almost all areas of society, from how we grow food, to how we manufacture goods, to how we move around. And this is critical, because if we are to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and become truly sustainable, it must be a team effort with no one left behind.

It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has had serious effects on the global economy. In order to fuel the recovery, the EU has introduced the Next Generation EU fund, a stimulus package to be used by Member States.

However, the funds from the Next Generation EU fund are largely meant for investing into green-related areas: for example, research and innovation into low-carbon technology, the development of a circular economy, and more.

Although the magnitude and scale of such an effort towards sustainability is globally unprecedented, much work remains to be done. Talented changemakers are needed to bring this vision into reality, in all areas of society.

On the policy side, the laws and regulations must be continuously revised to reflect emerging technologies. For example, the legal framework of energy storage needs to be better defined to monetise the benefits that battery installations and EV chargers have the potential to provide.

On a technical side, skilled engineers are needed to develop these technologies to a market-ready level. As power electronics-based power systems, bi-directional power flows, renewable energies, and more gain prevalence in the power system, the tech will have to be continuously refined and improved. 

But whether policy or technology, an EIT InnoEnergy Master’s programme will expose you to the real-world context of the energy transition. Let’s keep this momentum moving forward; start your journey with EIT InnoEnergy today.

By Emilia Chojkiewicz, Master School student