The EU needs better energy storage to hit energy and climate goals, according to an information paper published on Monday, 1 April by the EU Court of Auditors.
The auditors identified the challenges posed by energy storage technologies in the EU, both for the electricity grid and for transport.
Many energy storage technologies are available or under development (pumped energy transfer stations, batteries, hydrogen or compressed air storage, thermal and gas storage).
Energy production and use account for 79% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions.
The Court points out that the EU is behind its competitors at an international level in terms of battery cell manufacturing capacity and there is a risk that it will fall short of the target set by the 'European Battery Alliance' for 2025.
Between 2014 and October 2018, €1.34 billion was allocated (Horizon 2020) to projects relating to grid energy storage or low-carbon mobility, but for the Court, "there is a risk that the EU has not sufficiently supported the market deployment of innovative energy storage solutions”.
As regards electric mobility, the Court warns that “late and inconsistent deployment of charging infrastructure could delay the widespread take-up of electric vehicles”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)