Renewable energies offer a viable solution to mitigate climate change and stabilize energy prices. However, their global adoption is hindered by the inefficiency of current electric grids. This critical situation prevents many wind and solar projects from being realized, jeopardizing the energy transition necessary for a sustainable future.
The rise of renewable energies could be a major solution to the current environmental and economic challenges. Yet, despite technological advancements, the deployment of these energies faces a major obstacle: the insufficiency of electric grids, essential for delivering energy to consumers. This article explores the causes and impacts of this underutilization as well as the potential solutions to maximize the use of renewable resources.
Challenges posed by the insufficiency of electric grids
The energy transition, promoted by many national and international policies, requires robust infrastructure to effectively manage the integration of renewable energies. However, the saturation of electric grids presents a considerable challenge. The capacity of existing lines is often insufficient to transport the energy produced, particularly from wind and solar farms, to consumption areas.
Impact on the stability of the grid
The integration of intermittent renewable energies such as solar and wind also presents stability issues for the grid. These forms of energy, dependent on weather conditions, can lead to fluctuations in electricity supply. An adapted grid infrastructure is essential to stabilize and balance energy production and consumption.
Progress and initiatives to improve electric grids
In France, for example, Enedis recently set a record by connecting 4.2 GW of renewable energies in 2023. This figure, which has more than doubled since 2019, demonstrates the commitment to strengthen electric grids to better integrate renewable energy sources. Although this represents significant progress, many regions of the world are still far from achieving such capacity.
The economic consequences of underutilization
An insufficient electric grid hinders the development of renewable energy projects, which directly impacts local and national economies. Investments in infrastructure are crucial to ensure a return on investment for solar and wind projects. Moreover, improving the grids would promote greater resilience to the volatility of fossil energy prices.
Solutions to maximize the use of renewable energies
To address these deficiencies, several solutions can be considered. Modernizing and extending grid infrastructures is essential, as is the development of energy storage technologies. The latter enable the management of periods of overproduction and provide a reserve during low production periods. Finally, better planning and coordination at the international level could help balance energy supply and demand.
The necessity of a resilient electric grid for a successful transition
According to the law on the energy transition for green growth, renewable energies must account for 40% of electricity production in France. Achieving this goal largely depends on our ability to overcome the current challenges posed by the insufficiency of electric grids. Only a robust and resilient infrastructure will be able to effectively and stably integrate renewable sources, allowing us to progress towards a sustainable energy future.
