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The European Union, in pursuit of the goal of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, is deploying different actions, with industry decarbonization as a key strategy. However, increasing electricity demand requires an intensification of energy generation from clean technologies, and the energy system's expansion is hindered by renewable generation's climatic dependencies and the imperative for substantial electrical infrastructure investments. Although the transmission grid is expected to grow, flexibility mechanisms and innovative technologies need to be applied to avoid an overwhelming growth. In this context, this paper presents a thorough assessment, conducted within the FLEXINDUSTRIES project, of the flexibility potential across seven energy-intensive industries (automotive industry, biofuel production, polymer manufacturing, steel manufacturing, paper mills, pharmaceutical industry, and cement production). The methodology followed during the analysis entails reviewing the state-of-the-art existing flexibility mechanisms, industries' energy markets engagement, and technical/operational readiness. The results highlight the feasibility of the proposed actions for enabling energy market flexibility through demand-response programs, quantifying energy opportunities, and pinpointing regulatory and technical barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability of the transport sector is targeted by various policies adopted by the European Union, and their impact must be constantly monitored in order to maximize the desired objective. This paper, through a two-stage investigation, aims to present a systemic approach of the sustainability dimensions in transport and to introduce an innovative technique to analyze the interdependencies between them. In the first stage, relevant indicators were selected from the Eurostat database for the content of four dimensions: economic, environmental, social and technological. The robustness of the developed dimensions was assessed and validated through a confirmatory factor analysis. In the second stage, a Gaussian graphical model was estimated as a technique integrating graphical and statistical modeling to identify complex structures of linkages between variables (as components of each dimension of sustainability). The structure of the network clearly highlights the dependence of transport on fossil fuel consumption as the main determinant of pollution in the sector (CO2 emissions). In addition, the central role of railways in decarbonizing transport is highlighted, in contrast to the limited, and isolated at one end of the network, role of electric vehicles. The findings support that affordability of this new technology plays an important role in its impact on zero-emission transition. Concentrating on the period 2013–2022, at EU27 level, the results are relevant in the context of decarbonization policies, offering useful insights both for future research and policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategic objective of world climate policy is the decarbonization of industries, aiming to achieve "net-zero" emissions by 2050, as outlined in the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement. This transition entails increasing the utilization of renewable energy sources (RES) in industrial energy consumption, thereby transforming economies from reliance on fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives. However, this shift poses a significant challenge for many EU countries, with varying degrees of success in adaptation. This paper investigates the process of decarbonizing industries by analyzing trends in the adoption of RES in EU countries and evaluating their progress toward climate targets. Utilizing time series analysis of production, total energy usage, and the proportion of renewables in industrial energy consumption, the study compares two groups of countries: longstanding EU members and newer additions. The aim is to forecast the trajectory of RES integration in industry and assess the feasibility of meeting the targets outlined in the European Green Deal. The findings reveal a considerable gap between the set targets and projected outcomes, with only a few countries expected to meet the EU's 2030 goals. This is highlighted by disparities in RES shares across member states, ranging from 0.0% to 53.8% in 2022. Despite notable increases in the absolute use of renewable energy, particularly in central and eastern European nations, substantial challenges persist in aligning industrial sectors with EU decarbonization objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]