We are not going to achieve the Paris climate goals with solar and wind energy, say MEPs. That is why there is ample room for alternatives such as hydrogen and home energy storage. This also includes power storage in cars. These alternative forms of green energy are intended to improve the European Union's ability to tackle the climate problem.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Friday on the development of hydrogen and energy storage. Generating energy from 'green hydrogen' is a serious addition to solar panels and wind turbines. That is why MEPs call on the European Commission to continue research into hydrogen. European aid can also help to reduce the cost of green hydrogen and make it economically attractive. Furthermore, gas pipelines could be used as transport lines for hydrogen. The European Parliament wants more research into this, also because gas will eventually be phased out.
It has gradually become clear that energy from the sun and wind is not always reliable. If there is not enough wind, turbines will not be able to meet the energy demand. The same goes for dark days. In that case too little solar power is generated. That is why we need to store green energy so that there is enough on low energy days. Home batteries and car storage are good tools for that, it said Europees Parlement. Examples include new battery technologies and heat and cold storage.
The European Parliament supports the European Commission in developing a single European standard for batteries, so that the EU will become less and less dependent on its import from non-EU countries. Since these countries use raw materials in an environmentally unfriendly way, it is also better to develop batteries yourself. By investing more in recycling and buying sustainable raw materials, the EU can make a green move, say MEPs.
In addition, EU regulations on new forms of energy should be relaxed to make it easier to switch to hydrogen and other forms of energy storage. Currently there are too many double taxes, the energy networks are outdated and the EU network codes are falling short. This makes it difficult for developers of energy storage facilities. The European Parliament wants these barriers to be removed.
Dutch MEPs are happy with the result achieved. 'Energy storage keeps the future energy price manageable by absorbing peaks and troughs and is therefore of great importance to the CDA for a feasible and affordable energy transition,' says CDA employee Tom Berendsen. 'We have to invest smartly in the necessary infrastructure. That also offers opportunities for the Netherlands. ' VVD member Bart Groothuis is committed to hydrogen. 'There are opportunities here for the Netherlands, the energy transition and especially for new businesses that can stimulate this innovation.'
FvD member Rob Roos regrets that clean nuclear energy is not an alternative in the plans. 'The resolution only refers to wind and solar energy and hydrogen. At the same time, energy targets for 2030 will be further increased while gas and nuclear energy will be excluded. People talk about 'investments', but in reality it is about subsidies. Who will pay for that? FvD advocates a different energy mix, where there is room for real innovation with nuclear energy, economical use of fossils and use of gas. '
Also read: Brabant companies will work with hydrogen together
