As a global leader in carbon neutrality, Europe bases its development model on energy transition and has developed decarbonised technological solutions in many areas. However, this political lead has not always translated into industrial competitiveness in the global market, despite efforts to innovate. An industrial decline has been observed, leaving Europe in a weak position in international markets.
The European Union’s objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 requires a profound overhaul of the energy system, which will mobilize a range of technologies. This transition will bring technical, economic, and social challenges.
Recent geopolitical upheavals, such as trade tensions and supply chain volatility, have increased uncertainty in the global geo-economic landscape. Faced with these challenges, decision-makers are seeking to broaden their strategic vision. The EU has recognized the need for strategic autonomy in a fragmented world, where access to certain resources and equipment is becoming more difficult and could be used as a geopolitical weapon.
Gaining control over European supply chains to ensure stable access to energy and critical resources in a context of global competition has now become a political priority. This includes establishing production capacities for low-carbon technologies within Europe. All of these objectives can only be met by combining a wide range of policy measures, striking a balance between energy, environmental and industrial policies. However, some of these measures could come into conflict with the policies implemented over the last few decades to build the European energy market, as well as those underpinning trade and investment relations.
In this context, this thesis proposes a theoretical framework for analysing the systemic conditions for the development of the European battery industry, integrating the dimensions of public policy, industrial sovereignty and geo-economic issues. It will be carried out within the Energy Markets Regulation and Organization (ROME) research unit of the CEA's Institute for Research and Studies in Energy Economics (I-Tésé), in academic partnership with the University of Paris Dauphine-PSL.