The European Union can be a leader in the implementation of a 21st century energy infrastructure, according to the keynote address by GE’s Bob Gilligan at the IEEE Smart Grid World Forum in Brussels today. While outlining the challenges of growing electricity demand and its environmental impact, Gilligan showed how emerging energy solutions can enable Europe and the world to sustain and improve our energy-dependent lifestyles. The key, he said, is starting with a viable roadmap to guide measured improvement over the coming decades. He sees tomorrow’s breakthroughs, like the European Union’s proposed “Energy Highways” for transporting remote wind and solar power to urban consumption centers, as an important element of an overall energy plan to meet our growing energy needs in a more sustainable way. We need clear government policy, with funding support, to drive the utility investments needed to assure reliable, clean power and improved energy efficiency from energy generation, through delivery, to consumption.
The European Parliament and Council’s 20/20/20 initiative to increase energy efficiency by 20 percent, produce 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent is a positive demonstration of the region’s commitment to responsible energy leadership, Gilligan said. He called on governments and regulators at the national level to provide the leadership, incentives and accommodations needed for the transformation to a low-carbon economy.
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