The report, published yesterday (4 February), argues that with the right political framework, existing grid infrastructure can be upgraded to handle a green energy supply system where 90% of electricity comes from renewable sources by 2050.
Current electricity transmission and distribution systems were designed over 40 years ago to serve large, centralised conventional power plants, the report oulines. By contrast, the new power system could be built on micro-grids and smart grids that use advanced communication and control technologies to connect and distribute small renewable energy generators, like roof-mounted solar panels, more efficiently, it says.
The intelligent grids will then have to be linked up into a super grid by building new interconnections, the study explains. This will guarantee the security of supply at all times by transporting large energy leads across regions, it says.
Moreover, there is no reason to fear power cuts when the sun doesn't shine or the wind isn't blowing, the research argues. Using case studies, it demonstrates that such extreme weather events are very rare and can be compensated by a mix of different renewable sources.
The study estimates that the cost of strengthening interconnections and building new super grid connections to supply Europe securely would amount to around 209 billion euros by 2050.
"Building up smart grids is a huge business opportunity, especially for IT companies. In Europe the annual investment needed will be around €5 billion. That would cost a European household less than five euros a year," said Sven Teske, senior energy expert at Greenpeace International.
However, few are willing to pay for the investment. Risk-averse electricity utilities do not want to take the risk of adopting new technologies in the next five years while regulators are yet to put incentives in place (EurActiv 30/11/09).
In order to kick-start investment in infrastructure, Greenpeace urged governments to establish communication standards for smart grids and a legal framework to support demand side management.
A European super grid, on the other hand, will require a European-wide authority to coordinate the various connected power systems, the report states. Moreover, this will have to be developed alongside an offshore super grid connecting offshore wind turbines to the system, and combined with efforts to bring solar energy from North Africa, it says.
The report comes as the EU is working on a new infrastructure action plan that will look into grid requirements and investigate ways to link up new offshore wind capacity (EurActiv 29/01/10).
Moreover, nine North Sea countries announced in December 2009 plans to cooperate on building a North Sea grid.
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