On 5^th June, MSc in Energy Management (MEM) students and alumni gathered for the second MEM Alumni Night of the year. Following the success of the London gathering in March, this Paris edition was organised by the ESCP Energy Society and took place at Quai de la Photo - a péniche dedicated to art and ...

1. Introduction

The European Union (EU) is navigating a transformative period in its energy landscape, driven by the urgent necessity to tackle climate change and ensure sustainable energy security. As the world increasingly recognizes the dangers of climate disruption, the EU has positioned itself at the forefront of global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and foster a clean energy transition. In line with the ambitious European Green Deal, which aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, the EU has set a bold target: achieving at least 42.5% renewable energy consumption by 2030, with aspirations to reach 45% [1]. Here's a concise summary of the current and upcoming trends in renewable energy demand and requirements across Europe. One of the upcoming requirements for Europe is the need to address seasonal variations in renewable energy production. Renewable sources, such as wind and solar, are inherently intermittent, leading to fluctuations in energy supply. This intermittency poses challenges to grid stability and energy security, especially during periods of low wind or solar generation. Converting offshore wind energy into hydrogen for storage can provide a flexible and reliable solution for energy supply, especially during periods when wind production is low or when demand peaks. Conveying current trends of renewable energy demand and upcoming trend requirements using Europe’s electricity base load with modular nuclear power plants, an Ultra High Voltage Transmission Line is used to transfer renewable energy long distances. Converting offshore wind production may concentrate on hydrogen storage in seas for upcoming seasonal issues caused by renewable energy, and finally Vertical Integration, Customer-centric, acquiring the energy from suppliers through Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs).

Highlights

• Evaluating energy poverty across a sample of 32 economies from 2004 to 2021.
• Data from the EU-SILC database and Eurostat were utilised.
• Fixed-effect regression models were used to identify factors influencing energy poverty at the household level.
• Strategies for addressing energy poverty include enhancing housing conditions and lowering electricity expenses.
• Households that are low-income, smaller in size, and in poor condition are more vulnerable to energy poverty.

Abstract

The domain of energy poverty is increasingly recognised as a multifaceted global challenge stemming from limited income, high energy costs, and inefficient housing. The issue affects different social groups and regions unevenly, even within Europe. This paper investigates energy poverty across 32 economies, including EU member states and several non-EU European countries, over the period from 2004 to 2021. By analysing micro-level data from the EU-SILC database and Eurostat, the study identifies that low-income households, smaller households, and those living in overcrowded conditions are particularly vulnerable to energy poverty. Interestingly, the research finds that renewable energy does not contribute to alleviating energy poverty in Europe. Based on these results, the study calls for immediate policy measures to improve housing conditions and lower electricity costs, especially for economically disadvantaged households, to effectively address energy poverty.