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Formulating energy policies at national, European, and global levels is extremely challenging. The move away from fossil fuels is associated with a variety of technological, economic, and social implications, each of which is subject to dynamic changes and societal scrutiny and can hardly be predicted with certainty. Therefore, a fact-based assessment for the path to a sustainable green energy future is sought out in this paper, using the road-based mobility sector of the Federal Republic of Germany as an example. The analysis performed in this paper is built on publicly accessible, reputable sources like DESTATIS and EUROSTAT. In addition, some very simple calculations were made, e.g., on the potential for wind and photovoltaic energy within Germany. Such an analysis needs to start with the overall energy consumption of any one country. A basic assumption of the paper is that the energy system of the future will be based to a large extent on electricity and its storage in chemical energy. It is assumed that, in addition to hydrogen, liquid energy sources will play a significant role due to the simplicity of their logistics and the subsequent implications on cost. Examples of green, electricity-based fuels with great potential are methanol, methane, and ammonia. Additionally, biomass plays an important role, either for direct use as a fuel or as a source of non-fossil carbon. Today, biofuels, i.e., biodiesel and bioethanol, deliver the largest contribution to climate protection in the EU transport sector. The main goal—the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions—often collides with geopolitical circumstances or national political necessities. This includes, for example, the current world market situation and its national impacts caused by the Russian attack on Ukraine. The prospect for a green, sustainable, and defossilized energy supply are discussed in this context. The paper concludes that a defossilized world energy supply and trade based on renewable electricity and its derivatives, eHydrogen and refuels, and on biomass, is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful energy transitions, also referred to as leapfrog development, present enormous prospects for EU nations to become carbon neutral by shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Along with climate change, EU countries must address energy security and dependency issues, exacerbated by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising energy costs, conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, and political instability. Diversifying energy sources, generating renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, preventing energy waste, and educating the public about environmental issues are proposed as several strategies. The study draws the conclusion that central European countries may transition to a clean energy economy and become carbon neutral on economic and strategic levels by locating alternative clean energy supply sources, reducing energy use, and producing renewable energy. According to the study, the EU energy industry can be decarbonised and attain energy security using three basic strategies, such as supply diversification, energy savings, and quicker adoption of renewable energy to replace fossil fuels. The energy transformation industry still needs to improve energy efficiency, incorporate a circular and sustainable bioeconomy, and support renewable energies, including solar, wind, hydropower, nuclear, and hydrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To analyse problems and features of the formation of perspective concepts and scenarios for the development of the latest structures of energy supply systems for Ukraine in the context of the energy transition and European integration. Methodology. Theoretical studies, analysis, and generalization of scientific and practical results along with the comparative analysis. Findings. The European Green Deal contributes to the wide development of relevant RES-based systems in the EU countries. Ukraine has also declared its active position regarding the issues of low-carbon development and “green” transition with the formation of relevant implementation scenarios until 2035, 2050, and 2070. The paper analyses the current state and structure of the electricity supply system in Germany and Ukraine on their ways to low-carbon development of the energy sector and economy. As a result of the conducted research, it is possible to determine further rational steps for effective transformation of the electric power industry according to the strategy of pragmatic or low-carbon development with further measures to modernize the nuclear and thermal energy sectors and moderate RES development. Development of rational structures of electric power systems of new technological order is a constantly relevant, science-intensive direction, which brings serious changes to the traditional raw-resource economy and energy industry. Originality. The conducted comprehensive analysis of the current state and prospects for the development of the structure of electric power complexes of Ukraine and Germany makes it possible to formulate high-priority rational steps in achieving energy independence and energy security, taking into account low-carbon development of the national economy. Practical value. The represented analytics can be used to ensure sustainable development of Ukrainian energy industry, to form an outlook on problems, prospects, and aspects of optimistic and pessimistic scenarios of the generation system development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy crisis caused by the Russia–Ukraine war (RUW) has affected the energy supply chain. The countries most impacted by the sanctions imposed on Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine focused on replacing the countries they import their energy from in the short term and switching fuel, for example, from natural gas to coal in Germany. The objective of this article is to verify how the war has impacted energy trade and electricity generation in Germany and the United Kingdom (UK). The results indicate that the RUW had consequences on these countries' energy sector, significantly affecting fuel trade and electricity generation in the immediate aftermath of the war. • Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked a global crisis in energy supply chains. • The Russia–Ukraine war led countries, such as Germany, to reactivate coal plants. • The UK replaced Russian fuel imports with those from other countries, like the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper provides an assessment of the current wind energy potential in Ukraine, and discusses developmental prospects for wind-hydrogen power generation in the country. Hydrogen utilization is a highly promising option for Ukraine's energy system, environment, and business. In Ukraine, an optimal way towards clean zero-carbon energy production is through the development of the wind-hydrogen sector. In order to make it possible, the energy potential of industrial hydrogen production and use has to be studied thoroughly. Ukraine possesses huge resources for wind energy supply. At the beginning of 2020, the total installed capacity of Ukrainian wind farms was 1.17 GW. Wind power generation in Ukraine has significant advantages in comparison to the use of traditional sources such as thermal and nuclear energy. In this work, an assessment of the wind resource potential in Ukraine is made via the geographical approach suggested by the authors, and according to the «Methodical guidelines for the assessment of average annual power generation by a wind turbine based on the long-term wind speed observation data». The paper analyses the long-term dynamics of average annual wind speed at 40 Ukrainian weather stations that provide valid data. The parameter for the vertical wind profile model is calculated based on the data reanalysis for 10 m and 50 m altitudes. The capacity factor (CF) for modern wind turbine generators is determined. The CF spatial distribution for an average 3 MW wind turbine and the power generation potential for the wind power plants across the territory of Ukraine are mapped. Based on the wind energy potential assessment, the equivalent possible production of water electrolysis-derived green hydrogen is estimated. The potential average annual production of green hydrogen across the territory of Ukraine is mapped. It is concluded that Ukraine can potentially establish wind power plants with a total capacity of 688 GW on its territory. The average annual electricity production of this system is supposed to reach up to 2174 bln kWh. Thus, it can provide an average annual production of 483 billion Nm3 (43 million tons) of green hydrogen by electrolysis. The social efficiency of investments in wind-hydrogen electricity is presented. Image 1 • Assessment of wind potential and electrolysis of green hydrogen in Ukraine. • Ukraine has the potential to build 688 GW of WPP capacity on its territory. • Ukraine can provide 43 m tons of green hydrogen annual production by electrolysis. • Map of potential distribution of annual green hydrogen production in Ukraine. • Investments' social efficiency of in wind-hydrogen electricity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]