Smart Homes and Regions as Building Blocks for 100% Renewable Energy Globally

Abstract

This chapter gives evidence that in contrast to the old big and centralized approach with large power stations, there is now a solution possible which starts bottom-up. Individual houses are no longer only consuming electricity but will also produce electricity with PV systems on their roof—they become prosumers. The same happens with multi-family houses, offices, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Small battery systems increase significantly the self-consumption. Adjacent prosumers will be able to exchange power. Next level is the area of municipalities also integrating nearby wind farms and green-field PV plants to leverage the seasonal electricity production. Larger battery systems and power-to-gas facilities enable progressively the balanced supply and usage. Communication and exchange of electricity and gas between various municipalities will enable the 100% supply by renewable sources of the needed electricity, mobility (once electrified), and heat for the individual countries. Energy-intensive industries will be located near to GW-scale off-shore wind and/or PV farms.