Rising prices and unstable supply chains: Europe’s energy supply is under pressure. Following the disruptions of 2021 and 2022 — triggered by reduced gas deliveries from Russia and the attack on Ukraine — new geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including the war in Iran, are now worsening the situation further. Risks to key oil transport routes such as the Strait of Hormuz are driving up prices and once again highlighting how dependent Europe is on imports and how vulnerable its energy system remains.

Against this backdrop, the European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC) has published a new commentary on so-called “Energy Systems Integration.” In it, scientists outline a possible way out of the crisis: a more interconnected energy system that integrates electricity, heating, transport, and industry, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuel imports.

In the interview, energy expert Neven Duić, Co-Chair of the EASAC Energy Steering Panel, explains why Europe must fundamentally redesign its energy system and what hurdles stand in the way.

A Permanent Crisis

Mr. Duić, Europe is currently experiencing one of the biggest energy crises in decades. What makes the current situation so critical?

Neven Duić: The main problem is Europe’s enormous dependence on energy imports. The European Union imports around 97 percent of its oil and about 85 percent of its gas. This is not a short-term crisis, but a permanent one. We already saw this in 2021 and 2022 — first through reduced gas deliveries from Russia, then through Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and now with the war in the Middle East threatening key oil transport routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. This dependence makes Europe extremely vulnerable. The only sustainable solution is to replace these fossil fuels with something completely different.

A key term in this context is “energy systems integration.” What does that mean in practical terms?

Duić: The only energy sources that Europe itself possesses in significant quantities are renewable energies. But wind and solar energy in particular are variable. If we want to further increase their share — and that is necessary to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports — we must fundamentally reorganize the energy system. That means electricity, heating, cooling, transport, and industry must be much more closely interconnected. At the same time, we need to electrify everything that can be electrified. Only then can this integrated system function. And that would significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports — and therefore also ease the crisis.

Old Structures Slow the Transition

What are the biggest obstacles on this path?

Duić: The biggest obstacle is existing vested interests. Europe is an old continent with many structures that are difficult to change. These interests will slow the transition — even though it is clear that it will happen anyway, and sooner is actually better than later. In addition, there are very concrete problems: expanding electricity grids takes too long, and permitting procedures are often highly complex. Across Europe, around 140 gigawatts of planned renewable energy projects are currently on hold because they are stuck in the planning process. Electrification of transport is also progressing too slowly. Globally, about 0.6 percent of oil consumption is replaced by electric mobility each year — but Europe is not leading in this area.

What should politicians and decision-makers prioritize now?

Duić: Important steps are already being taken, such as new initiatives to simplify grid planning. That is moving in the right direction. But how we use energy is also crucial. One important point is time-variable electricity tariffs — in other words, prices that depend on when large amounts of renewable energy are available. For example, if households charge their cars or heat their homes when there is plenty of wind or solar power in the grid, they can actively contribute to system stability. To make this work, wholesale and retail electricity markets must be more closely connected. This already exists in some European countries, but it would need to be implemented much more broadly. Then we could significantly reduce the need for fossil fuel imports.