Successful green deal in Europe with gas and energy innovation 

Brüssel, May 20th 2021 – The European Research Institute for Gas and Energy Innovation (ERIG) has published their “Theses for the European energy future”.

This document defines a path for the future development of the European energy sector in line with the ambitions of the EU Green Deal. The overall goal is to achieve international and European climate targets, including keeping the global temperature rise below 2 ° C and preferably 1.5 ° C. 

Accordingly, a successful energy transition is only possible through a holistic approach in which climate-neutral gases play a leading role. 

The document picks up the approach that ERIG has followed as a guiding principle right from the start, namely, to consider an entire world of energy, consisting of electrons and molecules as energy carriers and with the associated technologies and infrastructure. 

This holistic approach is also reflected in the overarching guiding principles of the document: 

  • Quality – Suggestions for actions must be based on accountable research and realistic projections of possible developments 
  • Completeness -Time, existing infrastructure, and overall systemic effects must be primary considerations 
  • Feasibility – Disruption must be minimised for social acceptance and feasibility.


From ERIG’s point of view, these guiding principles are universal and undeniable. They do not only serve ERIG itself as a guideline, but should also be used as a benchmark when assessing third-party proposals. They reflect ERIG’s attitude towards energy innovation in general. 

ERIG also stands for gas innovation. Amongst the energy molecules, gas is closest to the world of electrons, and it is also the cleanest burning with the lowest share of emissions. ERIG regards three theses on the topic of gas innovation as necessary for a successful energy transition in line with the guiding principles: 

  • Gas in the center – Gas is the key factor in achieving an integrated energy system of electron- and molecule-based 
  • Multi-gas not Mono-gas – All types of energy gas should be considered and deployed on the market based on their GHG reduction potential 
  • Gas is an R&D priority – R&D efforts for gas solutions must be intensified.  

With the Theses for the European energy future, ERIG is taking a substantial step and have  formulated the common ground for what ERIG stands. It forms the framework and basis on which ERIG will continue to build. 

Please find the “Theses for the european energy future” here: ERIG Theses EU energy future

The corresponding press release you find here: Press Release