The role of grid extensions in a cost-efficient transformation of the European electricity system until 2050

Michaela Fürsch, Simeon Hagspiel, Cosima Jägemann, Stephan Nagl (), Dietmar Lindenberger () and Eckehard Tröster
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Michaela Fürsch: Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln
Simeon Hagspiel: Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln
Cosima Jägemann: Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln
Dietmar Lindenberger: Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln
Eckehard Tröster: Energynautics GmbH

No 2012-4, EWI Working Papers from Energiewirtschaftliches Institut an der Universitaet zu Koeln (EWI)

Abstract: As an attempt to fi ght global warming, many countries try to reduce CO2 emissions in the power sector by significantly increasing the proportion of renewable energies (RES-E). A highly intermeshed electricity transmission grid allows the achievement of this target cost-efficiently by enabling the usage of most favorable RES-E sites and by facilitating the integration of fluctuating RES-E infeed and regional electricity demands. However, construction of new lines is often proceeding very slowly in areas with a high population density. In this paper, we try to quantify the bene ts of optimal transmission grid extensions for Europe until 2050 compared to moderate extensions when ambitious RES-E and CO2 reduction targets are achieved. We iterate a large-scale dynamic investment and dispatch optimization model for Europe with a load-flow based transmission grid model, in order to determine the optimal deployment of electricity generation technologies and transmission grid extensions from a system integrated point of view. Main findings of our analysis include that large transmission grid extensions are needed to achieve the European targets cost-efficiently. When the electricity network is cost-optimally extended, 228,000 km are built until 2050, representing an increase of 76% compared to today. Further findings include substantial increases of average system costs for electricity until 2050, even if RES-E are deployed efficiently throughout Europe, the grid is extended optimally, and if signi cant cost reductions of RES-E are assumed.

Keywords: Renewable energy; GHG reduction; transmission grid; power system optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C61 C63 Q40 Q58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35 pages
Date: 2012-03-19
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cmp, nep-ene and nep-eur
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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Journal Article: The role of grid extensions in a cost-efficient transformation of the European electricity system until 2050 (2013)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ris:ewikln:2012_004

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