Enabling sustainable electricity grid infrastructure in Europe - strategies and challenges in Austria and Switzerland

Abstract

The European electricity infrastructure is essential for a successful energy transition in the future. In that sense, a well-functioning cooperation framework that sets common priorities is indispensable for enabling a sustainable electricity grid. However, planning and permitting procedures are complex undertakings due to various technical, environmental, and legal considerations, mainly on the national level, and extensive scenario analyses and significant interdependencies on the transnational level. By analysing the common cooperation framework on the European level and its relations to the country-specific strategic approaches of Austria and Switzerland, this thesis examines conflicting and common priorities towards reaching the overall goal of a secure, reliable, and sustainable future electricity supply.