Page 10 - European Energy Innovation - Spring 2017 publication
P. 10
10 Spring 2017 European Energy Innovation
ENERGY STORAGE
The role of the storage in the
future European energy system
By Andreea Strachinescu
Head of Unit "New energy technologies and innovation" – DG Energy – European Commission (pictured)
It is a top priority of European the Energy Union and boost the clean created challenges especially for the
Energy Policy to have secure and energy transition by modernising our operation of the European electricity
cost-effective energy for European economy.1 system. The power generation mix
citizens and enterprises. The has changed with unprecedented
internal energy market should play The energy system in Europe has a speed and therefore new solutions
an important role in the achievement great degree of complexity, partially for the electricity system need to
of the EU's targets by providing the due to its historical national focus be considered. The role of forward-
necessary cost signals. These targets and more recently due to the rapid looking energy policy plays a crucial
aim to obtain greater decarbonisation, changes in demand and supply role in enabling the needed solutions.
increased deployment of renewables, patterns. This applies to the gas, heat
better affordability and greater energy and the electricity grids. Recently Investments in storage, both for
efficiency, which will ultimately deliver the large-scale deployment of Security of Supply and grid flexibility,
progress towards all the objectives of variable renewables generation has have been challenged by increasing
levels of risk in energy infrastructure
related investments, resulting in
sub-optimal level of investments in
flexibility from system point of view.
We need a market framework that
supports and incentives flexibility in
existing and new generation assets
and other flexibility mechanisms.
Storage can contribute to a much
more effective use of today’s existing
grid infrastructure, at all voltage levels.
A more flexible grid will contribute to
making the most efficient use of the
existing infrastructure, reducing the
peak load in the main transmission
and distribution lines. This will have a
positive effect on the capacity needs
of the interconnections, where even
the interconnection target (10% by
2020 and 15% by 2030) could be
insufficient for the needed flexibility.
The generation technology mix
and the location and size of these
generation capacities determine the
grid flexibility needs. Many storage
technologies are scalable and
geographically rather independent,
making storage a prime solution
in the evolving energy system,
accommodating the changing
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