In an effort to meet global climate change goals, a decarbonization of electricity generation is needed. Analyzing the integration volatile renewable sources of energy like wind and solar, this...Show moreIn an effort to meet global climate change goals, a decarbonization of electricity generation is needed. Analyzing the integration volatile renewable sources of energy like wind and solar, this thesis sets out to determine the underlying structural differences in the developments of electricity networks within the European Union. This will be done using a Most Different System mixed-methods design combining short statistical analysis with a qualitative study of the most (Hungary and Luxembourg) and least integrated (United Kingdom and Ireland) electricity networks in the EU. Constructing a framework to analyze the historical development, policy goals, market system and geographic factors in the member states of the EU, this thesis suggests the most important structural differences between the well and poorly integrated electricity networks in the EU are the historical developments of the networks, and the financial and geographical accessibility of neighbors to trade with. Secondly, an important contribution of this thesis is methodologically, as it displays an innovative way to study the different countries in the EU which gives enough flexibility to do justice to the differences between the member states of the EU.Show less
