Power distribution grids in Europe are at a critical juncture: the transition to renewable energies is accelerating, and distribution system operators are being confronted, in their efforts to optimise this complex integration, with major challenges, such as electricity demand doubling between now and 2050. Based on this observation, the E.DSO (European Distribution System Operators for Smart Grids)—the organisation that represents these European operators—joined forces with McKinsey & Company to publish a document on Wednesday, 6 September, that takes stock of the current situation and makes recommendations on how to handle these challenges.
The first of these is network inadequacy; as the report explains, this challenge is the fact of having a power grid whose capacity is not large enough to accommodate new supply and demand connections.
Physical constraints, inefficient configurations, and long, complex construction processes hamper network growth. This means connection delays, potential losses in renewable energy production, higher development costs, and greater difficulty in phasing out conventional energy sources.
Moreover, the increase in intermittent production from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, is making the grid more unstable. Phasing out traditional balancing assets further complicates the grid’s operational management. As the report explains, this instability may lead to unexpected blackouts, such as the one that hit the United Kingdom in 2019, affecting millions of customers.
To address these challenges, the E.DSO’s document presents a series of recommendations divided into four main areas: permitting and regulation, technical skills, grid management and planning, and distributed energy resource (DER) advanced functionalities and digitalisation.
Permitting and regulation. According to the report, automating and digitalising the permitting process may significantly reduce delays. Transparent and, ideally, EU-harmonised rules for congestion management and for handling connection queues may also speed up the processes.
Technical skills. Supporting the development of customer service providers’ technical skills is also presented as being essential. Introducing online or in-person training to certify necessary skills and promoting education programmes are recommended.
Grid management and planning. The use of non-firm connections and reactive power management are, in the E.DSO’s opinion, decisive measures to better anticipate disruptions. Improving transparency on grid upgrade information is also essential for managing stakeholder expectations.
Distributed energy resource advanced functionalities and digitalisation. Finally, the E.DSO recommends implementing droop control, digitalising DER connection, creating accurate maps of hosting capacity, and integrating standardised technical solutions as ways of improving grid management and facilitating the connection of more DERs.
The document: https://aeur.eu/f/8h0 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)