Effects of a Delayed Expansion of Interconnector Capacities in a High RES-E European Electricity System

David Ritter, Roland Meyer, Matthias Koch, Markus Haller, Dierk Bauknecht and Christoph Heinemann
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David Ritter: Öko-Institut e.V., Merzhauser Straße 173, 79100 Freiburg, Germany
Roland Meyer: Bremen Energy Research, Jacobs University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 Bremen, Germany
Matthias Koch: Öko-Institut e.V., Merzhauser Straße 173, 79100 Freiburg, Germany
Markus Haller: Öko-Institut e.V., Merzhauser Straße 173, 79100 Freiburg, Germany
Dierk Bauknecht: Öko-Institut e.V., Merzhauser Straße 173, 79100 Freiburg, Germany
Christoph Heinemann: Öko-Institut e.V., Merzhauser Straße 173, 79100 Freiburg, Germany

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 16, 1-32

Abstract: In order to achieve a high renewable share in the electricity system, a significant expansion of cross-border exchange capacities is planned. Historically, the actual expansion of interconnector capacities has significantly lagged behind the planned expansion. This study examines the impact that such continued delays would have when compared to a strong interconnector expansion in an ambitious energy transition scenario. For this purpose, scenarios for the years 2030, 2040, and 2050 are examined using the electricity market model PowerFlex EU. The analysis reveals that both CO 2 emissions and variable costs of electricity generation increase if interconnector expansion is delayed. This effect is most significant in the scenario year 2050, where lower connectivity leads roughly to a doubling of both CO 2 emissions and variable costs of electricity generation. This increase results from a lower level of European electricity trading, a curtailment of electricity from a renewable energy source (RES-E), and a corresponding higher level of conventional electricity generation. Most notably, in Southern and Central Europe, less interconnection leads to higher use of natural gas power plants since less renewable electricity from Northern Europe can be integrated into the European grid.

Keywords: European electricity system; interconnector capacities; delayed grid expansion; electricity market modeling; decarbonization; renewable integration (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: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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