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Trading off regional and overall energy system design flexibility in the net-zero transition

Author

Listed:
  • Koen Greevenbroek

    (UiT The Arctic University of Norway)

  • Aleksander Grochowicz

    (University of Oslo
    Technical University of Denmark)

  • Marianne Zeyringer

    (University of Oslo)

  • Fred Espen Benth

    (University of Oslo)

Abstract

The transition to net-zero emissions in Europe is determined by a patchwork of country-level and European Union-wide policy, creating coordination challenges in an interconnected system. Here we use an optimization model to map out near-optimal energy system designs for 2050, focusing on the planning flexibility of individual regions while maintaining overall system robustness against different weather years, cost assumptions and land-use limitations. Our results reveal extensive flexibility at a regional level, where only few technologies (solar around the Adriatic and wind on the British Isles and in Germany) cannot be substituted. National policymakers can influence renewable energy export and hydrogen strategies significantly, provided they coordinate this with the remaining European system. However, stronger commitment to solar in southern Europe and Germany unlocks more design options for Europe overall. These results on regional trade-offs facilitate more meaningful policy discussions that are crucial in the transition to a sustainable energy system.

Suggested Citation

  • Koen Greevenbroek & Aleksander Grochowicz & Marianne Zeyringer & Fred Espen Benth, 2025. "Trading off regional and overall energy system design flexibility in the net-zero transition," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 8(6), pages 629-641, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:8:y:2025:i:6:d:10.1038_s41893-025-01556-2
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-025-01556-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Phoebe Koundouri & Angelos Alamanos & Giannis Arampatzidis & Stathis Devves & Kostas Dellis & Christopher Deranian & Tatiana Pliakou, 2025. "An Integrated Assessment of the European National Commitments for Climate Neutrality," DEOS Working Papers 2548, Athens University of Economics and Business.

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