Disagreements persist on how to design a self-sufficient, carbon-neutral European energy system. To explore the diversity of design options, we develop a high-resolution model of the entire European energy system and produce 441 technically feasible system designs that are within 10% of the optimal economic cost. We show that a wide range of systems based on renewable energy are feasible, with no need to import energy from outside Europe. Model solutions reveal considerable flexibility in the choice and geographical distribution of new infrastructure across the continent. Balanced renewable energy supply can be achieved either with or without mechanisms such as biofuel use, curtailment, and expansion of the electricity network. Trade-offs emerge once specific preferences are imposed. Low biofuel use, for example, requires heat electrification and controlled vehicle charging. This exploration of the impact of preferences on system design options is vital to inform urgent, politically difficult decisions for eliminating fossil fuel imports and achieving European carbon neutrality.

在如何设计一个自给自足的、碳中和的欧洲能源系统方面存在分歧。为了探索设计方案的多样性，我们开发了整个欧洲能源系统的高分辨率模型，并产生了 441 个技术上可行的系统设计，它们的成本在最优经济成本的 10% 以内。我们表明，基于可再生能源的广泛系统是可行的，无需从欧洲以外进口能源。模型解决方案揭示了整个非洲大陆新基础设施的选择和地理分布相当大的灵活性。可以通过或不通过生物燃料使用、弃电和扩大电力网络等机制来实现平衡的可再生能源供应。一旦强加特定偏好，就会出现权衡取舍。例如，低生物燃料使用，需要热电化和受控的车辆充电。探索偏好对系统设计选项的影响对于为消除化石燃料进口和实现欧洲碳中和的紧急、政治上困难的决策提供信息至关重要。