Economic and Carbon Costs of Electricity Balancing Services: The Need for Secure Flexible Low-Carbon Generation

Mauro Lafratta, Matthew Leach, Rex B. Thorpe, Mark Willcocks, Eve Germain, Sabeha K. Ouki, Achame Shana and Jacquetta Lee
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Mauro Lafratta: Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Matthew Leach: Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Rex B. Thorpe: Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Mark Willcocks: Thames Water Utilities Ltd., Reading RG1 8DB, UK
Eve Germain: Thames Water Utilities Ltd., Reading RG1 8DB, UK
Sabeha K. Ouki: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Achame Shana: Thames Water Utilities Ltd., Reading RG1 8DB, UK
Jacquetta Lee: Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-21

Abstract: The electricity sector aims to achieve a balanced progress in all three dimensions of the energy trilemma: affordability, decarbonisation and security of supply. Separate strategies for decarbonisation and security of supply have been pursued; each with close attention to minimising costs, thus consistent with the affordability aspect of the trilemma. However, while it is evident that the pathway for decarbonisation increases pressure on security of supply, the pressures that cost-minimising security of supply measures are putting on decarbonisation goes unaddressed. The United Kingdom (UK) is a global leader in the transition towards a decarbonised economy and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. As a major part of the UK, Great Britain (GB) has achieved greater than 50% of low-carbon electricity generation and the grid’s carbon intensity has dropped by 36% over the period 2015–2019. However, balancing services that provide security of supply uses only 8% of low-carbon generation. Their carbon intensity is double the grid’s average and this gap is widening. This is an effect of a systemic reliance on carbon-intensive fuels. Financial support for capital investment for flexible low-carbon technologies is much needed. The GB context suggests that an integrated strategy covering all three dimensions of the trilemma might achieve an improved balance between them and unlock an affordable, net-zero emissions and secure power system.

Keywords: decarbonisation; net-zero carbon; balancing services; power system; carbon intensity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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