Renewables Grid Initiative’s Post

Electricity needs yoga just like the rest of us! This week on #SunWindWires we’re exploring flexibility in the renewables-based electricity system. 🌱 Energy Transition 🌱 In the old world, power plant operators could easily adjust outputs from coal, gas, and oil plants. However, with the shift to renewable energy, planning and control have become more complex as no one can control the sun or wind. 🧠 Strategic Use of Renewables 🧠 To maximise renewable energy, we need to 'stockpile' it when it’s abundant. For instance, industries can increase production, supermarkets can lower fridge temperatures, and drivers can charge their electric cars during peak renewable times. This is known as ‘flexibility’ or ‘load shifting’. 🧘 Market, System, and Grid 🧘 Flexibility will impact three key areas: the market (electricity trading and price setting), the system (keeping the frequency stable at around 50 Hz), and the grid (ensuring stable voltage and preventing overloads). 📈 Market Benefits 📈 In the market, flexibility helps balance supply and demand, stabilising electricity prices. This is crucial for integrating renewable energy into the trading system. ⚙️ System Stability ⚙️ For the system, flexibility maintains frequency stability, which is essential for the reliable operation of electrical devices and overall grid health. 🔌 Grid Management 🔌 On the grid level, flexibility helps prevent overloading of infrastructure like overhead lines and transformers, ensuring efficient energy distribution and avoiding blackouts. 💡 Incentives for Energy Management 💡 For widespread success, the economic framework must evolve to offer variable electricity prices and financial incentives for energy-efficient renovations. This could enable large-scale adoption of solar energy systems and efficient heat management across European neighbourhoods. 📙 Sun, Wind & Wires 📙 Download ‘Sun, Wind & Wires: Atlas of an Energy System in Transition’ to learn about electricity yoga. This beautifully informative book is full of more amazing infographics designed by Ellery Studio. Go to https://lnkd.in/dTh-U5NH

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