We are happy to have partnered with Airborne Wind Europe, EUREC – The Association of European Renewable Energy Research Centres, and ETIPWind for a Parliamentary Breakfast hosted by MEP Nicolás González Casares, with introductory words from MEP Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, to focus on innovative renewable energy technologies.
Our Head of EU Policy, Marlène Siméon, set the scene by highlighting that innovative renewables offer a chance to repeat the success story of wind and solar becoming the cheapest sources of electricity in history. She emphasized that the EU should leverage its unique innovation capacity to reduce energy dependence with home-grown innovative renewables with higher output, higher capacity factors, and the necessary flexibility to complement our growing renewable portfolio.
“Innovative renewables are no longer a moonshot – they are Europe’s next competitive edge. But only if we embed them in our climate targets, research funding, and energy plans today.” – Marlène Siméon.
Following sessions continued on the current actions and future perspectives for innovative renewable energy, as well as the potential of specific technologies. These are the next-generation solutions that go beyond conventional solar and wind to address energy system needs like flexibility, high-capacity factors, homegrown energy and resilience, and geographic diversity. Examples include:
🟩 Airborne wind energy: Generates power at higher altitudes where winds are stronger and more constant, uses 90% less material than traditional turbines and is ideal for remote/off-grid or offshore applications
🟩 Ocean energy (tidal & wave): Highly predictable generation, unlocks coastal regions and island grids
🟩 Advanced geothermal: Baseload and dispatchable, works in almost any geology with new drilling and advanced tech, a clear potential solution for industrial decarbonization
🟩 Floating solar (PV): Deploys on reservoirs, lakes, or nearshore waters, reduces land-use conflict, and enhances grid integration with hydropower
These technologies are not just prototypes, many are entering commercial demonstration, and with the right policy and financing, they could scale this decade.
Thank you to the MEPs, European Commission representatives from DG ENER and DG RTD, and partners driving this forward.
