Thursday, 17th December 2009, 11:00—12:30, Room: Niels Bohr
SuperSmart Grids – Pathways to a decarbonised power system
Europe and other regions need to accelerate the delivery of SuperSmart Grids and renewables to reach a fully decarbonised power system by 2050 and meet the 2°C target. The integration of a large amount of renewable energy sources into the grid is possible with current technologies, but policy-makers need to lead the transformation by securing the necessary legislation on support mechanisms and regulatory reform.
· A largely renewable power sector is technically and economically feasible.
· Integrating North Africa and its vast solar and wind resources into the European power system is an efficient way to produce cheap dispatchable renewable electricity for Europe and Northern Africa
· Most of the changes needed for the transformation to 100% carbon neutrality by 2050 need to be started within the next five years.
· New power lines are crucial for integrating large amounts of renewables.
Five minute inputs from:
Ruth Davis, Head of Climate Change Policy, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Nick Dunlop, Secretary-General of the Climate Parliament Satu Hassi, Member of the European Parliament, former Finnish Environment Minister Peter Höppe, Head of Geo Risks Research Department, Munich RE and DESERTEC Industrial Initiative (DII) Ben Voorhorst, COO TenneT TSO/Transpower
A discussion chaired and moderated by Antonella Battaglini (PIK, ECF, RGI) will follow.
Modernising the electricity grids is one of the key factors for a successful transformation to a low-carbon energy system. The UK and Germany face similar challenges, in particular to integrate growing amounts of renewable energy into the existing grids to transport it to end-users. To achieve a successful adaptation of the grid, transmission capacity needs to be upgraded and expanded. This includes new strategic interconnections to transport renewable electricity from remote generation locations to consumption centres. Increased investment in grid structure will therefore be necessary in the short and medium term.
The aim of the Grid Dialogue was to facilitate an open exchange between experts and key stakeholders from the UK, Germany and elsewhere about their respective experiences and to identify similarities in the challenges as well as possible solutions. The workshop took place on 10 September 2009 at the British Embassy in Berlin. It was co-organised by the British Embassy and the Renewables-Grid-Initiative. Over 30 experts participated and had very fruitful discussions.
Find video statements of further participants here. The programme and further information are available on the website of the British Embassy.
Europe needs a better electricity grid for renewables. It is necessary to:
promote full grid integration of renewable energies
Renewables-Grid-Initiative brings together NGOs and TSOs and announces initial partners
Europe needs a better electricity grid for renewables. It is necessary to:
- Fully integrate localised and decentralised renewable supplies
- Fully integrate large-scale offshore wind and concentrated solar power
- Facilitate the possibility to recover investments in both high voltage DC and AC lines
- Deploy innovative and smart grid technologies to foster energy conservation potentialEurope needs a better electricity grid for renewables. It is necessary to:
- Fully integrate localised and decentralised renewable supplies
- Fully integrate large-scale offshore wind and concentrated solar power
- Facilitate the possibility to recover investments in both high voltage DC and AC lines
- Deploy innovative and smart grid technologies to foster energy conservation potentials
Renewables-Grid-Initiative brings together NGOs and TSOs to promote full grid integration of renewable energies
The Renewables-Grid-Initiative promotes the expansion of distributed and bulk renewable energy generation and transmission capacity in Europe. To reach this target, the initiative brings together Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Transmission System Operators (TSOs). For the first time, WWF, Germanwatch, Vattenfall Europe Transmission and Tennet join forces for a common cause.
On January 8, 2009 some 350 participants from about 35 countries gathered for the 1st European Grid Reliability Conference organised by UCTE (Union for the Co-ordination of Transmission of Electricity) in Brussels. During an open exchange and debate, the aim was to listen and understand different aspirations and concerns of the parties involved to identify common ground in order to manage and operate the grid reliable and secure. The Renewables-Grid-Initiative held its first round table with various stakeholders and identified need and priorities for common action.
