In Short: The rapid growth in renewable energy sources demands increased cooperation among European Union Member States. To effectively harness the potential of renewables and double flexibility in the EU power system, collaboration in terms of technology development, grid infrastructure, and policy frameworks is essential. By working together, Member States can optimize the integration of renewable energy, enhance grid flexibility, and pave the way for a sustainable, low-carbon future in Europe.
In Detail : With the EU 2030 renewables target of 42.5% (compared with 22% in 2021), this decade will see an accelerated decarbonisation of EU electricity supply. A joint report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) underlines the need to double the ‘flexibility’ of Europe’s power system to keep pace with the growth in renewables from variable sources, such as wind and solar.
Flexibility is the power system’s ability to adjust to the fluctuating generation and consumption of energy. Flexibility can be provided in different timeframes, such as days, weeks or seasons and by different technologies. Currently, peak generation gas plants provide much of the flexibility but with the clean energy transition, other types of flexibility resources are needed from both the demand and supply side. Meeting the flexibility challenge facilitates deployment of renewables and brings benefits to European Member States and consumers.
The report underlines that:
Flexibility in the EU power system needs to almost double by 2030 to keep up with the growth of variable renewable electricity sources.
Enhanced electricity interconnection is key. More grids should be built across borders and the existing grid capacity used better. Interconnectors facilitate the efficient flow of electricity across borders to where it is most needed. Existing and planned interconnectors facilitate flexibility to be shared across border and in 2030 could reduce the need for power supply by an amount equivalent to the electricity consumption (in 2022) of Sweden.
A combination of demand response and energy savings not only reduces energy bills but also provides much needed flexibility, thus facilitating renewables and supporting Europe’s security of energy supply. In 2030, better demand response and energy savings could reduce the need for power supply from sources other than wind and solar by an amount equivalent to the 2022 electricity consumption of Spain.
Allowing price signals to drive investments and consumer behaviour is key. Consumers also need reliable information to make well-informed choices.
The EEA-ACER report calls for Member States to better assess and have complementary national and EU-wide assessments of flexibility needs (as currently being discussed by Europe’s co-legislators in the electricity market design reforms).
To foster common policies across borders, Member States could introduce regional cooperation on flexibility into their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), and include detailed energy data in their greenhouse gas emission projections.
The EEA-ACER report “Flexibility solutions to support a decarbonised and secure EU electricity system” is presented by the EU Agencies at today’s (20th October) meeting of Member States’ Energy Director Generals in Madrid, under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU.