Last year, the Smart Grid Network was asked to come up with recommendations for how Denmark’s power grid could accommodate levels of wind power approaching 50 percent of total electricity generation.
The recommendations presented by the Network today will form the foundation of the new government’s Smart Grid strategy, according to Minister for Climate, Energy and Building, Martin Lidegaard.
The government aims to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 40 percent in 2020, compared to 1990 levels. This will be achieved by dramatically increasing the consumption of renewable energy. In 2020, half of all electricity must come from wind power, and in 2035, all heating and electricity must come from renewable sources. The goal is to phase out all fossil fuels by 2050. The phase-in of wind energy and an expected increase in electricity consumption as the number of electric powered vehicles and heat pumps increases presents a major challenge for the power grid in the long term. Smart electricity networks such as the Smart Grid can provide the solution by matching fluctuations in power production with consumption.
“The electric system of the future will be characterised by significant fluctuations in both production and consumption. It is of the utmost importance that we develop the Smart Grid in such a way that tomorrow’s electric system can be connected in an intelligent manner,” says Martin Lidegaard.
Last year, the former Ministry of Climate and Energy established the Smart Grid Network, which consists of a broad range of key players given the task of developing recommendations for initiatives in the area. These recommendations will make it possible for the electric system to accommodate levels of wind power approaching 50 percent of total electricity generation.
The current government’s programme calls for the development of a strategy for the Smart Grid in Denmark. The recommendations presented by the Network in their report provide the foundation for this process.
Read about the work of the Smart Grid Network – Summary and recommendations
Read more about the Smart Grid Network’s report and recommendations