Europe’s energy transition is often discussed in terms of renewable energy, industrial decarbonisation and electrification. Yet none of these ambitions can be achieved without the infrastructure that connects them all: a resilient, flexible and technologically advanced electricity system. 

This is the central message of the position paper Securing Europe’s Electrified Future through RD&I in Electric Power System Components, led by the EERA Joint Programme Smart Grids and SINTEF and co-signed by 27 organisations from across the European electricity research and innovation ecosystem. The signatories include universities, research and technology organisations, European technology platforms and research networks, as well as organisations representing grid operators, industry and other key electricity-system stakeholders. Their joint endorsement shows that grid innovation is a shared European priority. 

The timing of this call is particularly important. Europe is pursuing climate neutrality while facing growing concerns over competitiveness, energy security, supply-chain resilience and technological dependence. These objectives are closely connected. Affordable, secure and low-carbon electricity is essential not only for reducing emissions, but also for sustaining European industry, supporting clean-technology manufacturing and strengthening strategic autonomy. 

The scale of the transformation ahead is considerable. According to the European Commission, EU electricity consumption is expected to increase by around 60% between 2023 and 2030. At the same time, approximately 40% of Europe’s distribution grids are already more than 40 years old, while around EUR 584 billion in grid investment will be needed by 2030. 

These figures make one point clear: electrification is not simply about producing more renewable electricity. It also requires the rapid expansion, reinforcement and modernisation of transmission and distribution networks. Europe must increase grid capacity while making better use of existing infrastructure and improving system flexibility, efficiency, digitalisation and coordination. 

European power systems have historically achieved very high levels of reliability. However, maintaining this performance in a more electrified, decentralised and complex energy system cannot be taken for granted. The electricity system will need to accommodate rising demand from industry, transport, buildings, clean-technology manufacturing and digital infrastructure, while integrating growing shares of renewable energy. At the same time, it must remain resilient to extreme weather, cybersecurity threats, physical disruption and geopolitical instability. 

Meeting these challenges will require sustained investment in research and innovation. Innovation can help reduce the time needed to expand grid capacity and connect new generation and demand. It can improve the efficiency and flexibility of system operation, reduce congestion and support more effective use of existing infrastructure. It can also improve resource efficiency, reduce exposure to vulnerable supply chains and strengthen Europe’s manufacturing base. 

But developing new solutions is only part of the challenge. They must also be tested, validated and integrated under real operating conditions. Interoperability, cybersecurity, reliability and system-level performance need to be addressed from the outset. Research infrastructures, demonstration environments and cooperation across the electricity sector are therefore essential to move innovation from research to large-scale deployment. 

This is where European collaboration creates real value. No single organisation, company or country can address the full complexity of the future power system alone. The position paper is a concrete result of this collaborative approach, translating the experience of the research and innovation community into a clear policy message: investment in electricity grids must include investment in the knowledge, solutions and skills that will allow those grids to evolve. 

This is especially relevant as Europe defines its future research, industrial and energy policies. Decisions concerning the next EU Framework Programme and the European Competitiveness Fund will shape investment priorities for the next seven years. Grid innovation must be firmly embedded within these initiatives. 

The objective should not be limited to addressing immediate bottlenecks. Europe also needs a long-term innovation trajectory that supports technological leadership, sustainable manufacturing and strategic sovereignty. This means strengthening cooperation between research and industry, accelerating the transition from innovation to deployment and ensuring that European solutions remain globally competitive. 

Skills and education are equally important. The transformation of the electricity system will require a new generation of engineers, researchers and technical specialists capable of working across disciplines. Stronger links between research, education and industry will be essential to closing the skills gap and maintaining Europe’s technological capacity. 

The message of the paper is both urgent and constructive. Europe already has world-class research organisations, universities, grid operators, industrial actors and innovation networks. What is needed now is a coordinated European framework that enables their expertise to deliver its full impact. 

By investing strategically in grid research and innovation, Europe can accelerate electrification, strengthen the resilience of its energy infrastructure, reinforce its industrial base and reduce technological dependencies. The energy transition will depend not only on how much clean electricity Europe produces, but also on whether its grids can deliver it where and when it is needed. Securing Europe’s electrified future therefore begins precisely with recognising grid innovation as a non-negotiable and urgent strategic investment.