At the 10th International Interdisciplinary Scientific Conference: Social Development Towards Values in Poland, Ihor Vakulenko, a researcher from the Institute of Economic Research of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovakia), presented the findings of his latest study titled "Renewable Energy in the EU: A Path to Security or New Challenges?". The conference, focusing on the intersection of ethics, technology, and society, provided an excellent platform to discuss the role of renewable energy in ensuring security in the European Union amid current global challenges.
Vakulenko's research, conducted within the framework of the SASPRO 2 program and funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, explores the key factors influencing the adoption of renewable energy sources (RES) across EU countries. His presentation analyzed how the development of smart grids and the global energy transition are shaping the renewable energy landscape, particularly in light of geopolitical instability and the growing urgency of energy security.
Using panel data from EU member states over the past 15 years, Vakulenko's study identified complex interactions between economic, environmental, and social factors affecting the implementation of renewable energy. His findings demonstrated that socio-economic development consistently positively impacts renewable energy adoption, while the influence of environmental and energy factors is more nuanced, varying across countries depending on their level of development and the stage of their energy transition.
Vakulenko's research was supported by Marie Skłodowska-Curie funding scheme No. 945478 - SASPRO 2, the Slovak Ministry of Education, and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (VEGA 2/0003/23).