{"id":36006,"date":"2026-02-26T13:21:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T12:21:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/pt-journal\/issue-12-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T13:23:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T12:23:21","slug":"issue-2-2026","status":"publish","type":"pt-journal","link":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/pt-journal\/issue-2-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Issue 1|2-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"36006\" class=\"elementor elementor-36006 elementor-35987\" data-elementor-post-type=\"pt-journal\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-38fd161 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"38fd161\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;67a3195&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;]}]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3c9c66b\" data-id=\"3c9c66b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55b6eaa elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"55b6eaa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Europe must treat electricity as core security infrastructure<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-826968a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"826968a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Kristian Ruby<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ddd59fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ddd59fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When large parts of Berlin lost power in January, thousands of people were abruptly reminded of a fundamental truth: electricity is not simply another commodity. It is the backbone of modern society. Transport systems stalled. Telecommunications were disrupted. Businesses shut down. Public life paused.     <\/p><p>One lesson stands out: in today\u2019s geopolitical environment, electricity systems are strategic assets and potential targets. We have seen the dramatic consequences of this new reality in Ukraine. For nearly three years, power infrastructure has faced systematic and evolving attacks designed not merely to damage assets, but to destabilise society and weaken national defence.   <\/p><p>Unlike Ukraine, Europe is not experiencing the threats of wartime. But we\u2019re not in purely peaceful times either. In a new report \u201cBattle-tested power systems\u201d, Eurelectric has investigated how hybrid threats to energy infrastructure are increasing across the EU. Subsea cable disruptions in the Baltic Sea, arson attacks on energy facilities, escalating cyber intrusions and coordinated disinformation campaigns against utilities are no longer isolated anomalies. They are part of a broader pattern of pressure on critical infrastructure.    <\/p><p><a class=\"storyLink\" title=\"Editorial Issue 1-2\/2026\" href=\"#editorial226\">[more&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0407219\" data-id=\"0407219\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdd6e18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fdd6e18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/vgbe-energy-journal\/#abo\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1086\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vgbe-ej26-01UMSCHLAG-768x1086.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-35989\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vgbe-ej26-01UMSCHLAG-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vgbe-ej26-01UMSCHLAG-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vgbe-ej26-01UMSCHLAG-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vgbe-ej26-01UMSCHLAG.png 990w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-309d48d elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"309d48d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/vgbe-energy-journal\/#abo\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-double-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Subscribe to our vgbe energy journal!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/shop.vgbe.energy\/fachzeitschrift.html\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-double-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">In our Online Shop you can order individual issues.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-df60e63 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"df60e63\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;9d64f73&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;]}]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7391fbe\" data-id=\"7391fbe\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-770fab7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"770fab7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> Forecasts and scenarios for global energy supply \u2013 The gap between aspiration and reality<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e9732e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e9732e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Hans-Wilhelm Schiffer<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e896708 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e896708\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThis article outlines the prospects for global energy supply up to 2050, as derived from recent studies presented by international organizations, global corporations, and the scientific community. It is clear that the future of energy supply will look different from the past. A transition is taking place from an era dominated by fossil fuels to a world in which renewable energies prevail. According to the results of the various studies, the extent and speed of this transformation depend largely on the methodological approaches chosen and the assumptions made.    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-581689f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"581689f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Challenges and strategies in operating large-scale battery storage systems using M5BAT as an example<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa9e504 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"aa9e504\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Lucas Koltermann and Dirk Uwe Sauer<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e5225f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5e5225f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The integration of renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaic systems increasingly requires flexible and reliable energy storage solutions. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are key components for stabilizing power grids, providing ancillary services such as frequency containment reserve and automatic frequency restoration reserve, and helping manage fluctuating generation and consumption. This article presents practical insights from the operation of the M5BAT research BESS, which combines different battery technologies, including lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries, in single and hybrid operation. Focus is placed on state-of-charge management, cell balancing, system efficiency, and battery aging under real operational conditions. Results demonstrate that targeted SOC windows and active balancing strategies maximize usable capacity and minimize aging, while multi-use operational scenarios improve overall system efficiency. The findings provide a basis for improving existing BESS and planning future large-scale storage projects, supporting long-term reliability, performance, and grid integration of renewable energy sources.     <\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vgbe-ej-2026-01-02-036-043-KOLTERMANN-QHD-RGB-PROMO-1134.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download [1,2 MB.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a93334 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8a93334\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Techno-economic analysis of repurposing power plant infrastructure as DAC plants<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26476a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"26476a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Robert Sager, Nils Hendrik Petersen, Manfred Wirsum and Urs Overhoff<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9b29d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c9b29d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe results presented in this paper provide an initial assessment of repurposing decommissioned coal-fired power plants as DAC (direct air capture) plants based on available data from the coal-fired power plant in Niederau\u00dfem (Germany). The results of the techno-economic analysis depict the theoretical potential of repurposing coal-fired power plants as DAC plants: Power plant DAC systems have the potential to reduce the capital expenditures of the plant by eliminating the air contactor investment cost. Regarding the assumptions made in this paper, a power plant DAC system with a lifetime of 15 years has lower LCOCO2 than a newly built DAC plant with the same annular capture capacity. Due to the decision to shut down coal-fired power plants in Germany, the period of a possible realization of power plant DAC systems is limited.    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f05b8cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f05b8cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The new Industrial Emissions Directive and the BREF process<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7f6302 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a7f6302\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Kristina Juhrich\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1332ac3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1332ac3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive is expected to have a significant impact on the BREF process and the future setting of limit values. Whereas previously the upper value of the range had to be implemented, in future the entire range must be taken into account and the lowest achievable value determined. In addition to pollutant emissions into the various media, other aspects of the production process must also be taken into account, such as resource and energy consumption and other environmental impacts. The following article describes the most important changes and discusses how the new requirements can be dealt with.   <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70896e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70896e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Conversion measures for natural gas-fired steam boilers to enable the use of hydrogen while complying with NOx emissions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7dccfe0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7dccfe0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Michael Beyer, Thomas Schmidt, Stefan Kohn and Jeremia Schreiber<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03f16b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"03f16b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The German government is striving to make Germany climate-neutral by 2045. This includes phasing out coal-fired power generation by 2038 at the latest, ideally by 2030. After that, oil and natural gas will be phased out of electricity and heat generation. This applies equally to households and industry. The course for this is already being set in industry today. The authors have carried out theoretical studies to illustrate how an existing boiler system would have to be modified if natural gas were to be gradually replaced by hydrogen. The aim is to ensure stable operation, high efficiency and compliance with NOx emission requirements. Conversion measures for combustion plants and steam generators are presented and an assessment is given of the conditions under which conversion is more economical than a new steam boiler plant.       <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86cc5c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"86cc5c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Development of strategies for life cycle management of steam turbines and generators in aging fossil-fired steam power plants<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d408e0d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d408e0d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pascal Decoussemaeker, Michael Binder and Paul Cooper<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-87144d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"87144d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Many steam power plant operators are faced with the issue that, in order to support the energy transition, they are required to operate their plant longer than originally intended. To ensure continued reliable operation, it is important to update the plant asset management strategy for the remaining operating time horizon. In this paper, an overview of the main risks for the steam turbine and the generator will be provided, along with some of the methods available for monitoring and controlling those risks. The paper also discusses other risks potentially affecting aging plant that can be caused by interactions with the electricity grid, considering changes impacting grids in many countries linked to the ongoing energy transition.   <\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/vgbe-ej-2026-01-02-068-071-DECOUSSEMAEKER-QHD-RGB-PROMO-1134.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Download [1.0 MB]<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cb6fc0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4cb6fc0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">IEA: World Energy Employment 2025 \u2013 Summary\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ddf565 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7ddf565\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">International Energy Agency (IEA)<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b1b657 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2b1b657\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe World Energy Employment (WEE) report series provides comprehensive tracking and analysis of the global energy workforce, including estimates of its size and distribution across regions, sectors, and technologies. It also assesses how energy labour requirements evolve to 2035 across all IEA scenarios. The analysis draws on the IEA\u2019s annual Energy Employment Survey, which gathered responses from more than 700 energy firms, trade unions and educators, providing fresh perspectives on labour dynamics, shortages, and evolving skill needs. The report also includes sectoral deep dives that offer granular analysis of trends across different parts of the energy sector.   \n\nCOP30 signals climate policy shifts reinforcing the global role of natural gas\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6851438 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6851438\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">GECF Forum der Erdgas exportierenden L\u00e4nder\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19005c4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"19005c4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">GECF Gas Exporting Countries Forum<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f35dc6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f35dc6b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The year 2025 represented a pivotal moment for the global energy industry, marked by a shift away from the traditional climate agenda and a reassessment of previously dominant climate\u2011driven energy policies. In particular, after several years of a negative narrative, natural gas regained credibility as a reliable and sustainable energy source, increasingly recognized as one of the most effective means of meeting rapidly growing global energy demand. This policy shift culminated in the outcomes of the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd217cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cd217cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Powering security: the NATO spending and energy resilience nexus\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b39b4d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b39b4d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">An Eurelectric position paper\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0af2872 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0af2872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnergy security is an indispensable component of national and collective defence, and NATO\u2019s target to allocate up to 1.5 % of GDP to defence-related investments provides a critical opportunity to strengthen the resilience, protection and preparedness of Europe\u2019s energy systems. Protecting critical energy infrastructure requires both immediate tactical defences and long-term strategic safeguards, combining physical protection, cyber resilience, redundancy, drone-defence tools and \u201csecure-by-design\u201d principles integrated from the earliest stages of planning and development. Robust cybersecurity and secure, independent communication systems are vital to protecting energy operations, countering misinformation, supporting remote management, coordinating emergency responses and strengthening cooperation between private operators, public authorities and military actors. Prioritising clean energy, electrification and resilient infrastructure reinforces Europe\u2019s strategic autonomy, reduces exposure to hostile fossil-fuel dependencies, enhances societal resilience and aligns defence imperatives with long-term competitiveness and sustainability goals.    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-553071d elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"553071d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a407efe elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-stretched bg-energyfield-fixed neutral elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"a407efe\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[],&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d6e3b9\" data-id=\"9d6e3b9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06c918a elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"06c918a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"editorial226\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ad08665 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ad08665\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;e5cb45c&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;]}]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-761de36\" data-id=\"761de36\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f0563d1\" data-id=\"f0563d1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a7f115 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2a7f115\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Editorial<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c955de9\" data-id=\"c955de9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ee79496 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ee79496\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-249f014\" data-id=\"249f014\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7068a8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e7068a8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/Kristian-RUBY_940-600-rjq05hlt96w1m5sq5kxsktmvrrdvkkyzd5gbflzhq8.jpg\" title=\"DAVID PLAS PHOTOGRAPHY\" alt=\"DAVID PLAS PHOTOGRAPHY\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de1b433 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"de1b433\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Kristian Ruby<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b801a41 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b801a41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Secretary General<br>Eurelectric, Brussels, Belgium<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3c2c652\" data-id=\"3c2c652\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d19cec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4d19cec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Why Europe must treat electricity as core security infrastructure<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c007217 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c007217\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Dear readers of the vgbe energy journal,<\/p><p>When large parts of Berlin lost power in January, thousands of people were abruptly reminded of a fundamental truth: electricity is not simply another commodity. It is the backbone of modern society. Transport systems stalled. Telecommunications were disrupted. Businesses shut down. Public life paused.     <\/p><p>One lesson stands out: in today\u2019s geopolitical environment, electricity systems are strategic assets and potential targets. We have seen the dramatic consequences of this new reality in Ukraine. For nearly three years, power infrastructure has faced systematic and evolving attacks designed not merely to damage assets, but to destabilise society and weaken national defence.   <\/p><p>Unlike Ukraine, Europe is not experiencing the threats of wartime. But we\u2019re not in purely peaceful times either. In a new report \u201cBattle-tested power systems\u201d, Eurelectric has investigated how hybrid threats to energy infrastructure are increasing across the EU. Subsea cable disruptions in the Baltic Sea, arson attacks on energy facilities, escalating cyber intrusions and coordinated disinformation campaigns against utilities are no longer isolated anomalies. They are part of a broader pattern of pressure on critical infrastructure.    <\/p><p>At the same time, global energy geopolitics are shifting. Energy is increasingly framed as an instrument of power projection and political leverage. We\u2019re abruptly coming back from a 30-year vacation from world History where stable, rules-based interdependence was a given.  <\/p><p>For Europe, this reinforces a central conclusion: homegrown electricity &#8211; increasingly renewable, diversified and interconnected &#8211; is not only a decarbonisation pathway. It is the foundation of long-term energy security. However, as transport, heating, industry and digital infrastructures electrify, it becomes even more important to avoid incidents that would cascade across sectors. Europe needs a step-change in preparedness at three levels.   <\/p><p>First, at company level. Utilities must embed security into core strategy and operations. This includes enhanced physical protection of critical assets, systematic crisis exercises, strengthened cybersecurity capabilities, and stockpiling of essential components such as transformers and grid equipment. Smaller operators must also be alert; hybrid actors often exploit weaker links in complex systems. A robust security culture across the entire value chain is essential.    <\/p><p>Second, at national level. Regulation must align with the new security reality. Grid operators, for instance, can only invest within regulated frameworks. If we expect them to build redundancy, maintain strategic reserves of equipment, or establish resilient back-up communication systems to enable black-start capabilities after a large outage, regulators must allow and remunerate these investments. Security cannot be treated as an optional add-on.    <\/p><p>Third, at EU level. Europe\u2019s overarching energy security strategy dates back to 2014. Since then, the energy mix, the geopolitical environment and the technological architecture of the system have fundamentally changed. While important legislation has been adopted \u2014 notably in cybersecurity \u2014 we need a comprehensive, electricity-centred review of Europe\u2019s security framework. This must integrate physical threats, cyber risks, supply chain resilience, defence considerations and cross-sector coordination.    <\/p><p>Cybersecurity also deserves attention. As grids digitalise and distributed energy resources become more connected, the attack surface expands. Artificial intelligence enhances both defensive tools and malicious capabilities. The same data flows that enable demand response and optimise renewable integration must be secured against intrusion. Balancing digital openness with robust protection will be one of the defining challenges of the coming decade.    <\/p><p>The overarching message of \u201cBattle-tested power systems\u201d is clear: electricity has become central to Europe\u2019s security architecture. The lessons from Ukraine show both the scale of the threat and the importance of resilience, agility and coordination. The Berlin blackout shows that even in stable democracies, disruption can occur suddenly and with widespread impact.  <\/p><p>Energy security in the age of electricity means preparing not only for market volatility, but for deliberate disruption. It means investing before crisis strikes. And it means recognising that a resilient power system is no longer just an economic necessity. It is a strategic imperative.   <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Security of supply<br \/>\nLife cycle Management<br \/>\nForecasts and scenarios for global energy supply \u2013 The gap between aspiration and reality<br \/>\nChallenges and strategies in operating large-scale battery storage systems<br \/>\nDevelopment of strategies for life cycle management of steam turbines and Generators<br \/>\nConversion measures for natural gas-fired steam boilers to enable the use of hydrogens<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":35989,"template":"","class_list":["post-36006","pt-journal","type-pt-journal","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pt-journal\/36006","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pt-journal"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/pt-journal"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pt-journal\/36006\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36009,"href":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pt-journal\/36006\/revisions\/36009"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vgbe.energy\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36006"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}