How grid stability can be achieved using renewable energy sources
Energy is also needed when there is no wind or sunshine. Despite fluctuations, a high level of supply security for consumers can also be ensured with renewable energy sources – through flexible energy supply.
A flexible energy supply ensures that all consumers are supplied with enough electricity at all times. This balance between power generation and power consumption can be achieved through a combination of the following mechanisms:
Storing electricity
Electricity can be stored and withdrawn in several ways, which us why there are different types of storage. These can hold different amounts of energy and bridge correspondingly long periods of time when the renewable energy supply does not cover demand. Depending on the application, storage systems differ in terms of system complexity, volume, weight and other properties.
Converting electricity into other forms of energy
Electrical energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat. This also works the other way around, by converting other forms of energy back into electricity. This conversion process is called Power-to-X and is part of sector coupling. This uses synergies between different sectors and forms of energy, thus reducing costs.
Making power supply to processes and plants more flexible
In demand-side management or load management, energy consumers react to changes in the energy markets or grid. This means that the electricity demand of processes and plants is actively reduced when the electricity supply is too low. For example, plants can be slowed down. This allows demand and supply to adapt flexibly to each other and creates new business models for energy consumers.