The Opportunities and Limitations of the Green Energy Transition to European Networks: A Perspective Paper Focusing on the European Union and Greece

The current energy transition has shifted the power system paradigm, including distributed resources (mostly renewables) and energy storage systems, the proper incorporation of which is beneficial for the power system but can also cause issues such as network instability, grid congestion or issues with power quality. Moreover, the exponential electrification of loads, especially ones with dynamic behavior, due to most sectors switching to electric mode, with prominent examples including mobility, heating, hydrogen production and marine applications, can pose challenges for the system operators. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the effects of this transition from the perspective of the distribution and transmission systems in Europe generally, but also in Greece specifically, by presenting key performance indicators (technical, economic, environmental, and social) related to expected EU targets, as well as selected real-life applications, future trends and challenges.