Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Electricity Grids: No Decarbonization without Infrastructure

  • Chapter
Book cover Decarbonization in the European Union

Part of the book series: Energy, Climate and the Environment ((ECE))

Abstract

This chapter discusses the role of electricity transmission infrastructure for the integration of renewables into the European power system in the context of the EU’s decarbonization goals. Conventional plants largely define today’s power system, including its technical and economic environment. The integration of renewables into this system constitutes a major challenge that needs to be addressed for successful decarbonization. On the basis of current technologies, the European power system has to be significantly adjusted in order to absorb increasing amounts of renewable energy (RE). A major part of the necessary adjustments concerns the power transmission infrastructure — or grid.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Battaglini, A., Lilliestam, J., Haas, A. & Patt, A. (2009) ‘Development of SuperSmart Grids for a More Efficient Utilisation of Electricity from Renewable Sources’, Journal of Cleaner Production, 17(10), 911–918.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capros, P., Tasios, N., De Vita, A., Mantzos, L. & Paroussos, L. (2012) ‘Transformations of the Energy System in the Context of the Decarbonisation of the EU Economy in the Time Horizon to 2050’, Energy Strategic Reviews, 1(2), 85–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DESERTEC (2009) The DESERTEC Concept (Hamburg: DESERTEC Foundation), https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2639069/DESERTEC%20Concept. pdf, date accessed 11 November 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • ECF (2010) Roadmap 2050, Volume III: Graphic Narrative (Brussels: European Climate Foundation).

    Google Scholar 

  • ECN (2011a) Renewable Energy Projections as Published in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans of the European Member States (Petten: Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands & European Environment Agency).

    Google Scholar 

  • ECN (2011b) Renewable Energy Projections as Published in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans of the European Member States, Summary Report (Petten: Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands & European Environment Agency).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eikeland, P. O. (2011) ‘EU Internal Energy Market Policy: Achievements and Hurdles’, in V. L. Birchfeld & J. S. Duffield (eds.), Towards a Common European Union Energy Policy: Problems, Progress, and Prospects (New York: Palgrave Macmillan), pp. 13–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • ENTSO-E (2012) Ten-Year Network Development Plan 2012 (Brussels: European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity).

    Google Scholar 

  • ENTSO-E (2014) ‘Online Exchange Database’, https://www.entsoe.eu/data/data-portal/exchange/Pages/default.aspx, date accessed 5 December 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (1988) ‘The Internal Energy Market’, COM(88) 238.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (1997) ‘Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy’, COM(97) 599.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (1998) ‘Report to the Council and the European Parliament on Harmonization Requirements. Directive 96/92/EC Concerning Common Rules for the Internal Market in Electricity’, COM(98) 167.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2000) ‘Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply’, COM(2000) 769.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2006a) ‘Towards a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan’, COM(2006) 847.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2006b) ‘A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy’, COM(2006) 105.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2007a) ‘Prospects for the Internal Gas and Electricity Market’, COM(2006) 841.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2007b) ‘A European Strategic Energy Plan (SET-Plan) — Towards a Low Carbon Future’, COM(2007) 723.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2010) ‘Energy 2020: A Strategy for Competitive, Sustainable and Secure Energy’, COM(2010) 639.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2012) ‘Renewable Energy: A Major Player in the European Energy Market’, COM(2012) 271.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2013a) ‘On the Implementation of the European Energy Programme for Recovery’, COM(2013) 791.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2013b) ‘Review of the SET-Plan Implementation Mechanisms for the Period 2010–2012’, http://setis.ec.europa.eu/system/files/SET-Plan_%20Review%20of%20Implementation%202010–12.pdf, date accessed 5 December 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2013c) ‘Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No …/.. of 14.10.2013 Amending Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on Guidelines for Trans-European Energy Infrastructure as regards the Union List of Projects of Common Interest’, C(2013) 6766.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Council (1994) ‘Presidency Conclusions’, Bulletin of the European Communities No. 6/1994, 24 and 25 June.

    Google Scholar 

  • European Union (2010) The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan, SET-Plan. Towards a Low-Carbon Future (Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurostat (2014) ‘Statistics Online Database’, http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/eurostat/home/, date accessed 5 May 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • EWIS (2010) EWIS Final Report (Brussels: Wilhelm Winter & European Wind Integration Study).

    Google Scholar 

  • FOSG (2013) FOSG Statement on the EC Roadmap for Moving to Competitive Low Carbon Economy in 2050 (Brussels: Friends of the Supergrid).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fürsch, M., Hagspiel, S., Jägemann, C., Nagl, S., Lindenberger, D. & Tröster, E. (2013) ‘The Role of Grid Extensions in a Cost-efficient Transformation of the European Electricity System until 2050’, Applied Energy, 104, 642–652.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fouquet, D. & Johansson, T. B. (2008) ‘European Renewable Energy Policy at Crossroads — Focus on Electricity Support Mechanisms,’ Energy Policy, 36, 4079–4092.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glachant, J.-M., Grant, R., Hafner, M. & de Jong, J. (2010) ‘Toward a Smart EU Energy Policy: Rationale and 22 Recommendations’, EUI Working Paper, RSCAS, 2010(52).

    Google Scholar 

  • Haller, M., Ludig, S. & Bauer, N. (2012) ‘Decarbonization Scenarios for the EU and MENA Power System: Considering Spatial Distribution and Short Term Dynamics of Renewable Generation’, Energy Policy, 47, 282–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hauser, H. (2011) ‘European Union Lobbying Post-Lisbon: An Economic Analysis’, Berkeley Journal of International Law, 29(2), 680–709.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helm, D. (2014) ‘The European Framework for Energy and Climate Policies,’ Energy Policy, 64, 29–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J. C. & Uyterlinde, M. A. (2004) ‘A Fragmented Market on the Way to Harmonisation? EU Policy-making on Renewable Energy Promotion’, Energy for Sustainable Development, 8(1), 93–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Justice and Environment (2013) Regulation (EU) No. 347/2013 on Guidelines for Trans-European Energy Infrastructure. Legal Analysis (Brno: Justice and Environment).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagendijk, V. (2008) Electrifying Europe: The Power of Europe in the Construction of Electricity Networks (Amsterdam: Aksant Academic Publishers).

    Google Scholar 

  • Meeus, L., Purchala, K. & Belmans, R. (2005) ‘Development of the Internal Electricity Market in Europe’, The Electricity Journal, 18(6), 25–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monti, M. (2010) ‘A New Strategy for the Single Market: At the Service of Europe’s Economy and Society’, http://ec.europa.eu/bepa/pdf/monti_report_final_10_05_2010_en.pdf, date accessed 5 December 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newbery, D., Strbac, G., Pudjianto, D. & Noël, P. (2013) Benefits of an Integrated European Energy Market; (Amsterdam: Booz & CompanyLondon: LeighFischer).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson, M., Nilsson, L. J. & Ericsson, K. (2009) ‘The Rise and Fall of GO Trading in European Renewable Energy Policy: The Role of Advocacy and Policy Framing’, Energy Policy, 37, 4454–4462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NSCOGI (2010) The North Sea Countries’ Offshore Grid Initiative: Memorandum of Understanding (Brussels: Benelux General Secretariat).

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, D., Byron, J. & DeShazo, G. (2012) ‘Collaborative Transmission Planning: California’s Renewable Energy Transmission Initiative’, IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy, 3(4), 837–844.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • PSE (2011) Statement of PSE Operator S.A. on the Publication “Polen gefährdet deutsche Energiewende” by Spiegel Online (04.12.2011) (Konstancin-Jeziorna: Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne).

    Google Scholar 

  • Roques, F. (2014) ‘European Electricity Markets in Crisis: Diagnostic and Way Forward’, in D. Auverlot, É. Beeker, G. Hossie, L. Oriol & A. Rigard-Cerison (eds.), The Crisis of the European Electricity System: Diagnosis and Possible Ways Forward (Paris: Commissariat général à la stratégie et à la prospective), pp. 77–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sattich, T. (2014a) ‘European Energy and Industrial Policy Realigned: Risk or Opportunity for EU Eco-Innovation Strategy?’, Institute for European Studies, Policy Brief, 03/2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sattich, T. (2014b) ‘Germany’s Energy Transition and the European Electricity Market: Mutually Beneficial?’, Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 8(2), 264–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schaber, K., Steinke, F. & Hamacher, T. (2012a) ‘Transmission Grid Extensions for the Integration of Variable Renewable Energies in Europe: Who Benefits Where?’, Energy Policy, 43, 123–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schaber, K., Steinke, F., Mühlich, P. & Hamacher, T. (2012b) ‘Parametric Study of Variable Renewable Energy Integration in Europe: Advantages and Costs of Transmission Grid Extension’, Energy Policy, 42, 498–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SETIS (2014) ‘SET-Plan Review (2010–2012)’, http://setis.ec.europa.eu/set-plan-implementation/set-plan-review-2010–2012, date accessed 11 November 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Šturc, M. (2012) ‘Renewable Energy: Analysis of the Latest Data on Energy from Renewable Sources’, Eurostat Statistics in Focus, 44/2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sugiyama, M. (2012) ‘Climate Change and Electrification’, Energy Policy, 44, 464–468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tagliapietra, S. (2013) ‘Financing the EU Energy Infrastructure after the Euro Crisis’, http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/eurocrisispress/2013/10/27/financing-the-eu-energy-infrastructure-after-the-euro-crisis/, date accessed 14 May 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • THINK (2011) ‘Transition towards a Low Carbon Energy System by 2050: What Role for the EU. Final Report, June 2011’, http://www.eui.eu/PROJECTS/THINK/DOCUMENTS/THINKTOPIC/THINK2050REPORT.PDF, date accessed 2 April 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tröster, E., Kuwahata, R. & Ackermann, T. (2011) European Grid Study (Langen: Energynautics GmbH).

    Google Scholar 

  • van Agt, C. (2011) ‘The Energy Infrastructure Challenge’, in K. Barysch (ed.), Green, Safe, Cheap: Where Next for EU Energy Policy? (London: Centre for European Reform), pp. 27–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Vleuten, E. & Lagendijk, V. (2010) ‘Transnational Infrastructure Vulnerability: The Historical Shaping of the 2006 European “Blackout”’, Energy Policy, 38, 2042–2052.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vasileiadou, E. & Tuinstra, W. (2013) ‘Stakeholder Consultations: Mainstreaming Climate Policy in the Energy Directorate?’, Environmental Politics, 22(3), 475–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Thomas Sattich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

    Claire Dupont (Senior Researcher) & Sebastian Oberthür (Academic Director) (Senior Researcher) &  (Academic Director)

Copyright information

© 2015 Thomas Sattich

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sattich, T. (2015). Electricity Grids: No Decarbonization without Infrastructure. In: Dupont, C., Oberthür, S. (eds) Decarbonization in the European Union. Energy, Climate and the Environment. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137406835_4

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation