Unlocking potential energy partnerships in Europe: A case study on the way to a Franco–German energy transition

Global warming and geopolitical challenges underscore the need for adapted and strengthened energy partnerships within and beyond Europe. While the European Green Deal provides a common framework, open questions remain on how national objectives and cross-border synergies can be jointly realized. This research presents a pathway for a Franco–German energy transition towards 2050 and unlocks the potential of energy partnerships within Europe, by using a cost-based, sector-coupled optimization model. Both countries are coupled through an isolated country optimization approach. Thus, the focus is on the development of each national energy system. The results highlight the increase of energy security in line with the European Green Deal. The main pillars of the energy transition are solar energy (32%–33%), wind energy (25%–38%) and biogenic energy sources (13%–27%). Nuclear power will be phased out in Germany and France. Efficiency improvements reduce final energy demand by nearly 50%, with electricity playing a key role both directly and indirectly through PtX products. System stability is ensured through large-scale storage deployment, in particular batteries, pumped hydro and hydrogen cavern storage. Moreover, France can cost-effectively supply 25% of Germany’s hydrogen import needs (122 TWh) in 2050. At the same time, France can also benefit from the energy partnership in terms of economic growth and joint action to mitigate climate crisis.