Energy Shift
Europe’s Gas Storage Compared to Historical Consumption
Europe’s Gas Storage Compared to Historical Consumption
In the wake of the energy crisis, Europe has been rushing to cut ties with Russian gas.
In 2021, Russia accounted for around 45% of the EU’s gas imports. As of August 2022, that figure was around 17%.
However, reducing reliance on Russian gas after years of dependence has put Europe in a precarious situation ahead of winter. To reduce the possibility of an energy crunch in the heating season, the EU bloc set a target to fill 80% of its underground gas storage by November 1.
This infographic puts Europe’s current gas storage levels in perspective by comparing them with annual gas consumption in 2021, based on data from Gas Infrastructure Europe as of November 28, 2022.
Heat For the Winter
As winter approaches, many European countries have near-full gas storage levels, with the overall EU gas storage 94% full. But comparing storage with annual consumption paints a different picture.
| Country | Total Storage Capacity (TWh) | % of Storage Filled | Storage as a % of Annual Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine* | 325 | 30% | 38% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 246 | 99% | 27% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 193 | 92% | 25% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 139 | 89% | 35% |
| 🇫🇷 France | 134 | 98% | 30% |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 96 | 95% | 100% |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | 68 | 83% | 52% |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 44 | 96% | 46% |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 39 | 91% | 67% |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | 36 | 98% | 15% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 35 | 97% | 10% |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | 33 | 94% | 27% |
| 🇱🇻 Latvia | 24 | 59% | 122% |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | 10 | 98% | 42% |
| 🇬🇧 UK* | 10 | 100% | 1% |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 8 | 100% | 5% |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 6 | 93% | 16% |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | 5 | 95% | 16% |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 4 | 98% | 7% |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | 0.1 | 93% | 1% |
| EU 🇪🇺 | 1119 | 94% | 28% |
*Ukraine and UK are non-EU countries. Nine EU countries that are not on the list do not have any gas storage sites.
Ukraine has the largest storage capacity, and while it’s only 30% full, it represents nearly 40% of the country’s annual gas consumption. However, Russia’s continuing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure may squeeze supplies as temperatures drop.
The Nations at Risk of Running Low on Gas
Germany, Europe’s biggest economy and largest importer of Russian gas, has almost completely filled its gas storage. Despite this, storage supplies only amount to 27% of annual German gas consumption. Given that half of all German households use natural gas for heating, these stocks are especially important as winter peaks.
While storage facilities in countries like Poland, Spain, and Belgium are over 90% full, they represent only a fraction of annual gas consumption at 15%, 10%, and 5% respectively. Meanwhile, countries like Austria and Latvia have stored more gas than they consume in an entire year.
The UK’s gas storage is full but makes up just 1% of its annual consumption. The majority of UK homes rely on gas for heating, and it also accounts for 30% of electricity generation. A gas crunch could lead to both higher heating and electricity prices for UK residents.
What’s Next for Europe’s Gas Crisis?
This year, warmer-than-normal temperatures and efforts to reduce gas consumption have both played important roles in controlling Europe’s energy crisis before winter sets in.
However, the region’s reliance on Russia was decades in the making, and replacing it won’t be easy. EU countries’ gas storage sites are likely to be depleted by the spring of 2023. Without pipeline gas from Russia, Europe will have limited import capacity, and filling gas storage sites for next winter could be challenging.
Europe is undertaking a number of initiatives to combat the crisis. Countries in the region (including the UK) have pledged over $700 billion to reduce energy costs for households and to meet the liquidity needs of power companies. This, along with lower consumer demand due to high gas prices, will help lessen the impacts of the crisis in the short term.
However, looking ahead to 2023 and 2024, if gas prices remain high, industrial production is likely to fall as producers cut costs. Combined with low consumer confidence and high inflation, a fall in industrial output will likely exacerbate a potential recession, should things unfold that way.
Energy Shift
Visualizing the Decline of Copper Usage in EVs
Copper content in EVs has steadily decreased over the past decade, even as overall copper demand rises due to the increasing adoption of EVs.
Visualizing the Decline of Copper Usage in EVs
Copper intensity in passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has steadily decreased over the last decade, driven by numerous technological advancements alongside increasing usage of alternative materials such as aluminum.
In this graphic, we visualize the evolution of copper demand in various subcomponents of passenger battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from 2015 to 2030F, along with total global copper demand driven by EVs for the same period. This data comes exclusively from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.
Copper Intensity Per Car
According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, the copper intensity per vehicle is expected to decline by almost 38 kg, from 99 kg in 2015 to 62 kg by 2030.
| Year | Wiring | Motor | Copper Foil | Busbar | Auxiliary Motor | Charging Cable | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 30 | 8 | 41.26 | 13.23 | 2.87 | 3.96 | 99.32 |
| 2016 | 29 | 8 | 38.68 | 13.37 | 2.85 | 3.92 | 95.82 |
| 2017 | 28 | 7 | 32.67 | 12.72 | 2.84 | 3.90 | 87.13 |
| 2018 | 27 | 7 | 26.39 | 11.87 | 2.82 | 3.88 | 78.96 |
| 2019 | 26 | 7 | 28.00 | 10.85 | 2.78 | 3.82 | 78.45 |
| 2020 | 25 | 7 | 24.71 | 10.24 | 2.73 | 3.76 | 73.44 |
| 2021 | 24 | 6 | 25.27 | 9.29 | 2.69 | 3.70 | 70.95 |
| 2022 | 23 | 7 | 28.44 | 8.56 | 2.65 | 3.64 | 73.29 |
| 2023 | 22 | 7 | 29.87 | 8.12 | 2.61 | 3.58 | 73.18 |
| 2024F | 21 | 7 | 27.73 | 7.67 | 2.56 | 3.52 | 69.48 |
| 2025F | 20 | 7 | 27.79 | 7.19 | 2.52 | 2.51 | 67.01 |
| 2026F | 20 | 7 | 27.78 | 6.63 | 2.48 | 3.41 | 67.30 |
| 2027F | 19 | 8 | 27.55 | 6.15 | 2.44 | 3.35 | 66.49 |
| 2028F | 18 | 8 | 26.77 | 5.70 | 2.40 | 3.30 | 64.17 |
| 2029F | 18 | 8 | 26.17 | 5.51 | 2.39 | 3.28 | 63.35 |
| 2030F | 17 | 8 | 25.63 | 5.44 | 2.37 | 3.26 | 61.70 |
One of the most significant factors driving this decline is thrifting, where engineers and manufacturers continuously improve the efficiency and performance of various components, leading to reduced copper usage. A key example of this is in battery production, where the thickness of copper foil used in battery anodes has significantly decreased.
In 2015, Benchmark estimated copper foil usage was just over 41 kg per vehicle (at an average thickness of 10 microns), but by 2030, it is projected to fall to 26 kg as manufacturers continue to adopt thinner foils.
Similarly, automotive wiring systems have become more localized, with advances in high-voltage wiring and modular integration allowing for reduced copper content in wiring harnesses.
Copper used in wiring has dropped from 30 kg per vehicle in 2015 to a projected 17 kg by 2030.
Newer, more compact power electronics and improved thermal management in motors and charging cables have also contributed to the reduction in copper usage.
Substitution has also played a role, with alternatives such as aluminum increasingly being used in components like busbars, wiring harnesses, and charging cable applications.
Aluminum’s lighter weight and lower cost have made it a practical alternative to copper in specific applications, though the additional space required to achieve the same level of conductivity can limit its use in certain cases.
Benchmark estimates that copper used in automotive wire harnesses has declined by 30% between 2015 and 2024.
The Road Ahead
Despite reductions in per-vehicle copper usage, the outlook for copper demand from the EV sector remains strong due to the sector’s growth.
| Year | EV Sector Copper Demand (tonnes) |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 56K |
| 2016 | 82K |
| 2017 | 111K |
| 2018 | 166K |
| 2019 | 179K |
| 2020 | 237K |
| 2021 | 447K |
| 2022 | 696K |
| 2023 | 902K |
| 2024F | 1.0M |
| 2025F | 1.2M |
| 2026F | 1.5M |
| 2027F | 1.7M |
| 2028F | 2.0M |
| 2029F | 2.2M |
| 2030F | 2.5M |
Benchmark’s analysis indicates that by 2030, copper demand driven by EVs alone will exceed 2.5 million tonnes, securing copper’s critical role in the transition to a low-carbon future.
Energy Shift
Visualizing the Rise in Global Coal Consumption
China remains the largest coal consumer, making up 56% of the global total.
Visualizing the Rise in Global Coal Consumption
This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources.
Despite efforts to decarbonize the economy, global coal consumption surpassed 164 exajoules for the first time in 2023. The fossil fuel still accounts for 26% of the world’s total energy consumption.
In this graphic, we show global coal consumption by region from 1965 to 2023, based on data from the Energy Institute.
China Leads in Coal Consumption
China is by far the largest consumer of coal, accounting for 56% of the global total, with 91.94 exajoules in 2023.
It is followed by India, with 21.98 exajoules, and the U.S., with 8.20 exajoules. In 2023, India exceeded the combined consumption of Europe and North America for the first time.
Regionally, North America and Europe have seen a decline in coal consumption since the 1990s, while the Asia-Pacific region experienced a surge in demand during the same period.
| Year | Asia Pacific (Exajoules) | North America | Europe | Rest of the World | Total World |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 114.14 | 19.48 | 15.86 | 11.47 | 160.95 |
| 2014 | 115.74 | 19.39 | 14.88 | 11.68 | 161.62 |
| 2015 | 115.00 | 16.89 | 14.24 | 11.11 | 157.25 |
| 2016 | 113.21 | 15.55 | 13.74 | 11.35 | 153.85 |
| 2017 | 115.67 | 15.30 | 13.29 | 11.23 | 155.50 |
| 2018 | 119.05 | 14.50 | 12.98 | 11.34 | 157.87 |
| 2019 | 121.94 | 12.49 | 11.06 | 11.45 | 156.95 |
| 2020 | 121.91 | 9.97 | 9.57 | 10.82 | 152.27 |
| 2021 | 127.75 | 11.24 | 10.44 | 11.12 | 160.56 |
| 2022 | 129.80 | 10.54 | 10.02 | 11.18 | 161.53 |
| 2023 | 135.70 | 8.83 | 8.39 | 11.11 | 164.03 |
Coal Production on the Rise
In addition to consumption, global coal production also reached its highest-ever level in 2023, at 179 exajoules.
The Asia-Pacific region accounted for nearly 80% of global output, with activity concentrated in Australia, China, India, and Indonesia.
China alone was responsible for just over half of total global production.
Learn More on the Voronoi App 
If you want to learn more about fossil fuel consumption, check out this graphic showing the top 12 countries by fossil fuel consumption in 2023.
-
Electrification2 years agoThe Key Minerals in an EV Battery
-
Energy Shift2 years agoWhat Are the Five Major Types of Renewable Energy?
-
Electrification1 year agoThe Six Major Types of Lithium-ion Batteries: A Visual Comparison
-
Real Assets2 years agoWhich Countries Have the Lowest Inflation?
-
Energy Shift3 years agoThe Solar Power Duck Curve Explained
-
Misc2 years agoHow Is Aluminum Made?
-
Electrification2 years agoEVs vs. Gas Vehicles: What Are Cars Made Out Of?
-
Electrification3 years agoBreaking Down the Cost of an EV Battery Cell