2021

Decarbonising the EU economy will most of all require direct electrification of over 60% of end-uses, based on energy efficiency considerations. However, this will not always be technically possible or cost-efficient. Decarbonised molecules, such as hydrogen, will also contribute to eliminating ‘stubborn emissions’ in hard-to-abate sectors such as high-temperature heat and feedstock in industry, aviation and long-haul shipping, and possibly large-scale district heating and long-term electricity storage, thus increasing the flexibility and resilience of the energy system.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions imposed by governments throughout the world caused one of the greatest economic crises ever experienced given its magnitude and new nature. To assist countries to recover from the crisis and set their economies on a path towards resilient economic recovery, the EU agreed on a comprehensive financial package of €672.5 billion to be made available in the form of low interest loans and grants through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). To access these funds, member states must elaborate National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs), with investments and reforms in line with the broader EU objectives, including the green and digital transitions. The NRRPs must allocate at least 37% of expenditure to climate action and progress towards other environmental objectives of the European Green Deal.

“New normal” has become the buzzword of a world still reeling from the Covid-19 outbreak. But as it sought to break through the new normal of lockdowns and restrictions, the 25,000-strong COP26 gathering in Glasgow may have become the latest addition to the “new normal” of climate change negotiations: bold commitments that inspire hope, while their implementation plans ring hollow and seed doubt.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) refers to a chain of technologies deployed to capture, transport and store CO2 away from the atmosphere, mitigating its warming effect on the climate. For each step in the CCS process, a range of technologies has been developed and tested for different industries and operating conditions, making CCS a complex value chain rather than a single, “off-the-shelf” technology as it is sometimes portrayed

In the European Union’s pathway to climate neutrality, decarbonised molecules such as hydrogen will contribute to eliminating ‘stubborn emissions’ in hard-to-abate sectors – e.g., high-temperature heat and feedstock in industry, aviation and long-haul shipping, and potentially large-scale district heating and long-term electricity storage.

“New normal” has become the buzzword of a world still reeling from the Covid-19 outbreak. But as it sought to break through the new normal of lockdowns and restrictions, the 25,000-strong COP26 gathering in Glasgow may have become the latest addition to the “new normal” of climate change negotiations: bold commitments that inspire hope, while their implementation plans ring hollow and seed doubt.

Creșterile fără precedent ale prețurilor energiei din ultimele luni au generat discuții aprinse despre cauze, designul pieței de energie electrică, prețul carbonului și dependența de importurile de gaze naturale. Răspunsul formulat până acum de legiuitori pentru rezolvarea acestor probleme (în principal, plafonări de prețuri și subvenții) nu oferă decât soluții de avarie, de termen scurt, care nu rezolvă disfuncționalitățile structurale ce pot duce la repetarea unor astfel de situații.

This executive summary provides a brief overview of the report “Assessment of current state, past experiences and potential for CCS deployment in the CEE region”, written as part of the CCS4CEE project.

In this study, EPG brings together the work of project partners in Work Package 3 of the CCS4CEE project. The resulting report is an in-depth analysis of the current context and opportunities for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region.

Captarea și stocarea dioxidului de carbon (CCS) poate avea o contribuție importantă la decarbonarea economiei europene și române.

Acest raport prezintă o evaluare a contextului actual și a potențialului tehnologiilor de captare și stocare a carbonului (CCS) în România, condusă în cadrul proiectului CCS4CEE.

This report presents an evaluation of the current context and opportunities for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies in Romania, written as part of the CCS4CEE project.

The main resource of Gorj County is represented by its inhabitants, hence any transformation plan should be centred on them, as they are both the driving force and the beneficiaries of any economic and social progress of their county. The transition towards a carbon-neutral economy, probably the main concern worldwide in the next few decades, requires a significant number of new jobs. That is why Gorj County can rebuild its local identity around the sustainable energy transition, contributing to the significant efforts required for investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency or clean transport, thus continuing to play a central role in the Romanian economy. Gorj County can thus shift from the county with the highest carbon dioxide emissions in Romania to a leading region in this sustainable transition. This is a favourable moment for starting this transformational process for the county’s economy. Post-pandemic recovery, the funding made available across Europe especially for this purpose, but also the significant amounts that Romania has available for the energy transition, along with the commitment of central and local authorities to ensuring a just transition, create the first and, at the same time, a rare window of opportunity for reconfiguring the county’s economy. In supporting this approach, this study proposes a transition path which can ensure sustainable and diversified economic growth, attracting well-paid jobs and increasing the quality of life. For the transition of Gorj towards a sustainable county, this study proposes a series of short-, medium- and long-term objectives. The main immediate priority of the county authorities should therefore be to capitalise on the potential of renewable resources and renovate existing buildings. Renewable energy is the main decarbonisation vector of the European economy. The solar potential in Gorj County is above the national average and, consequently, must represent a priority in this endeavour. At the same time, the renovation of buildings to increase energy efficiency is another opportunity offered by the sustainable transition, with positive effects on the county’s economy, as well as on individual households, by reducing energy costs and improving living conditions. As long-term objectives, Gorj County must attract as large a share as possible of the value chains for advanced energy technologies with a contribution to the decarbonisation process. It is worth mentioning that for the counties where coal mining and its use in the energy sector were the main object of activity, staying relevant in the operation of the national energy system is justified. By developing the proposed value chains, their role will remain relevant.  Following an analysis of the economic situation in the county and of its educational profile, the study identifies four value chains: 1. renewable energy and electricity grids; 2. energy efficiency in buildings and heat pumps; 3. batteries, components and infrastructure for electric vehicles; 4. “green” hydrogen-based technologies. The county’s competitive advantages are also presented as well as a few measures that could enhance them

The present paper comes at a crucial time in the country’s energy transition, to applaud past successes, highlight sector specific challenges and opportunities, and bring together public and private stakeholders united by one simple mission – creating a framework that is both climate friendly and economically viable, for the generations to come.