As renewables grow rapidly in the European Union (EU), system flexibility needs are increasing. Flexibility is needed to balance the grid when weather dependent generation, such as wind and solar, exceeds or falls short of the amount of power being used. Making sure that flexibility is supplied by clean sources, rather than fossil fuels, is an essential part of keeping decarbonisation on track for EU targets.

This report provides an overview of clean flexibility in the European Union (EU), focusing on battery storage and demand side flexibility as two key enablers in the transition towards a clean power system. The paper analyses the current state-of-play in the EU regarding these solutions, examines outlooks for future deployment, and presents relevant policy options to help accelerate their roll-out.

It states that Europe needs clear policy direction and the removal of existing regulatory barriers to ensure clean flexibility solutions can be rolled out at the pace needed to match a world of growing electrified demand and rapid wind and solar expansion.