potential hvdc links) and Malta (via an hvac link that has already been planned) would be electrically linked; belarus and russia would be asynchronously interconnected as well. Further extension of the interconnected power system to remote electricity grids (such as that of china) could represent a very long-range option to explore beyond 2030. another interesting aspect of pan-european grid development concerns the historical evolution of the european highvoltage grid's density (measured in terms of power line km per land km2). Grid density increased steadily until the beginning of the 21st century; over the last decade, however, a rather serious standstill has been recorded in transmission grid development, mainly associated with socioenvironmental opposition to new installations and related permitting issues. the maps in Figure 3 depict the grid density in 2010 and the potential density occurring beyond 2030. the maps of grid density were created by combining several electrical power system spatial data sets from commercial and ec Joint research centre (Jrc) databases of ehv transmission lines. in a business-as-usual scenario, it is probable that most of the Grid Density km/100 km2 0-1 7.51-10 1.01-3 10.01-15 3.01-5 15.01-20 5.01-7.5 20.01-100 Grid Density km/100 km2 7.51-10 0-1 1.01-3 10.01-15 3.01-5 15.01-20 5.01-7.5 20.01-100 Baltic Energy Market for Electricity Baltic Energy Market for Electricity North Seas Offshore Grid North Seas Offshore Grid Central Eastern and Southeastern Europe Central Eastern and Southeastern Europe Southwestern Europe Southwestern Europe (a) (b) Grid Density Increasing Transfer Capacity Coupled with Decreasing Density Increasing Transfer Capacity Coupled with Increasing Density Baltic Energy Market for Electricity North Seas Offshore Grid Central Eastern and Southeastern Europe Southwestern Europe (c) figure 3. The current power transmission grid density in Europe and the density under two different scenarios for 2030 and beyond. (a) The line density in Europe 2010. (b) The potential evolution of line density in Europe business as usual scenario beyond 2030. (c) The potential evolution of line density in Europe alternative scenario beyond 2030. march/april 2014 ieee power & energy magazine 49