How did the German and other European electricity systems react to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Stephanie Halbrügge, Paul Schott, Martin Weibelzahl, Hans Ulrich Buhl, Gilbert Fridgen and Michael Schöpf

Applied Energy, 2021, vol. 285, issue C, No S0306261920317475

Abstract: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to decreases in electricity demand and a rising share of Renewable Energy Sources in various countries. In Germany, the average proportion of net electricity generation via Renewable Energy Sources rose above 55% in the first half of 2020, as compared to 47% for the same period in 2019. Given these altered circumstances, in this paper we analyze how the German and other European electricity systems behaved during the COVID-19 pandemic. We use data visualization and descriptive statistics to evaluate common figures for electricity systems and markets, comparing developments during the COVID-19 pandemic with those of previous years. Our evaluation reveals noticeable changes in electricity consumption, generation, prices, and imports/exports. However, concerning grid stability and ancillary services, we do not observe any irregularities. Discussing the role of various flexibility options during the COVID-19 pandemic, a relatively higher grid capacity resulting from a decreased electricity consumption, in particular, may have contributed to grid stability.

Keywords: Electricity system; COVID-19 pandemic; Renewable Energy Sources; Flexibility; Grid stability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (36)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116370

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