EASE has provided a reply to the European Commission’s Public Consultation on the revision of the EU gas networks rules on market access addressing the Hydrogen and Gas Market Decarbonisation Package. EASE is preparing a response to this consultation to improve the Hydrogen and Gas Market Directive and Regulation proposal in a way that is favourable to the energy storage sector.
June 2021 / Policy Papers
Energy Storage in the Renewable Energy Directive III
EASE welcomes EU policymakers’ efforts to revise the Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) as part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, expected July 2021. Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy sources (RES) is essential to achieve the EU’s ambitious goals of a 55% GHG emissions reduction by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.
However, simply deploying more RES is not enough; RES need to be integrated effectively into the system and their use in the heating and cooling, mobility, and industry sectors must be maximised.
Energy storage is a key enabler of a RES-dominated system. The transition to a renewable-based energy system needs to be supported by energy storage in order to ensure security of supply, efficient energy system operation, and the competitiveness of EU industries.
The revision of RED II as an important opportunity to reduce barriers to energy storage deployment, build on the provisions of the ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ Package, and position storage alongside RES as the backbone of the energy system. EASE proposes several key recommendations for the RED III:
Commit to a higher level of ambition in order to deliver on the EU Green Deal and the 2030 and 2050 decarbonisation targets. Increase the overall Union target for renewable energy in 2030 to 38-40% and make it binding both at EU and national level.
Define a comprehensive methodology to assess flexibility needs, which could be used to define an energy storage target to support the cost-effective integration of RES.
Revise Articles 4 and 5 of RED II on RES support schemes to explicitly include energy storage projects and incentivise projects that co-locate storage and renewables.
Reduce barriers to deployment of hybrid RES + storage projects.
Simplify and accelerate administrative procedures and permitting for energy storage facilities.
Support the deployment of thermal energy storage, both large-scale and small-scale, to help achieve the targets for RES in heating and cooling.
Add a renewable hydrogen definition encompassing all of its potential uses.
Ensure that together, the revised Third Energy Package for Gas and RED III provide a clear certification system for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen.
Expand articles 21 and 22 on renewable self-consumers and renewable energy communities to incentivise smart charging and vehicle-to-grid applications, which can maximise the uptake of RES in transport.
EASE looks forward to working with policymakers to ensure that the RED III helps unleash the full potential of energy storage solutions to enable the cost-effective integration of very high shares of renewables.
EASE has provided a reply to the European Commission’s Public Consultation on the revision of the EU gas networks rules on market access addressing the Hydrogen and Gas Market Decarbonisation Package. EASE is preparing a response to this consultation to improve the Hydrogen and Gas Market Directive and Regulation proposal in a way that is favourable to the energy storage sector.
In this position paper, the Energy Storage Europe Association calls for a shift from today’s “first-come, first-served” queue system to a more efficient, strategic, and transparent framework that recognises the unique value of energy storage for reducing congestion, enhancing flexibility, and making better use of existing grid infrastructure.
Energy Storage Europe Association has published its Position Paper on Improving Permitting Procedures, highlighting the urgent need to streamline, harmonise, and modernise permitting frameworks for energy storage across the EU. Europe needs a fast, fair, and future-proof permitting framework to unlock the estimated 200 GW of energy storage required by 2030.
Energy Storage Europe Association responds to the European Commission’s Public Consultations on the Electrification Action Plan and the Heating and Cooling Strategy, highlighting the need for stronger recognition of storage as a central enabler of electrification and heating decarbonisation. This requires clearer policies to integrate storage into planning and investment pathways, along with measures to remove persistent barriers such as high upfront costs, slow permitting, unfavourable taxation, and weak market signals. Storage should be treated as a default element of a cost-effective, system-friendly transition and reflected accordingly in planning frameworks, financing tools, and flexibility market design.
The 9.5 edition of the European Market Monitor on Energy Storage (EMMES) by the Energy Storage Europe Association and LCP Delta, is now available. The EU, UK, Norway, and Switzerland together are expected to reach 100 GW of installed energy storage in November 2025. This milestone represents enough capacity to meet the peak electricity demand of Germany and the Netherlands. With storage capacity forecast to grow by a further 115% by 2030, this will play a crucial role in Europe’s energy transition, creating more space for renewables on the grid.
