The European Supergrid

Energy has always been a potential positive European cooperation and integration factor. Providing zero-carbon power to homes and businesses across the EU will require an open market in electricity, underpinned by both upgraded and new transnational transmission networks. Building this network in time to meet the 2050 challenge will require action now. 'Supergrid' is a European project that will not only integrate the energy markets, but will further contribute to the EU's integration process. Moreover, a European Supergrid will allow Europe to transform its present energy system - still mainly based on fossil fuels - to one that is sustainable, since it will not only be able to optimize all generation (energy mixes) of the Member States, but will integrate all renewable energy sources that Europe wishes to exploit. By doing so, Europe increases its security of supply while diminishing its external dependency, creates new skilled employment opportunities, and gives greater impulse to the new technologies where European companies are currently world leaders. This book will show that the above could be implemented today if there was the political will do so, followed by the implementation of the necessary regulatory instruments. The book will lead readers through the period when the idea of a European Supergrid was just a vision, to the reality of the technological developments that make it possible to have such a transformed energy system in the near future. Europe can afford a transformed energy system. Investing in all these new technologies that can limit global warming to 2 degree C has, of course, a cost, but the cost of doing nothing would be much higher - and not only in terms of money. (Series: European Energy Studies - Vol. 7) Subject: European Law, Energy Law]

As we live through the throes of an energy crisis this timely book sets out how electricity can finally get the world off fossil fuels, and accelerate moves to a zero-carbon world. The essential element in this transformation is setting up a supergrid to transmit vast amounts of power quickly to where it’s most needed. Supergrid – Super Solution sets out how this can be done in the European context, with Ireland playing a lead role through deployment of its vast offshore wind resources. This is in a new energy supply system delivering consistently cheaper power, all made possible by using ‘superconductor’ technology. Supergrid – Super Solution outlines: The masterplan by a global leader in developing renewable energy with input from leading energy experts. The solution that tears up energy history by revealing how renewable energy and a radically changed electricity grid are key to securing Europe’s energy future. The creation of an energy revolution using superconductor cables to deliver electricity from offshore wind and solar to areas of peak demand at the heart of Europe through rollout of the supergrid – by deploying already proven technology. Ireland’s opportunity to become a renewables exporter of green power to mainland Europe. The special advantage for counties along the western seaboard, which is set to witness unprecedented economic opportunity because of record wind speeds in the nearby Atlantic that will be harnessed by floating turbines. The need for courage and collective action by states and the private sector to work together in the best interests of humanity and planet Earth. Supergrid – Super Solution is essential reading for anyone interested in practical solutions to achieving net zero.

Master's Thesis from the year 2012 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Environmental Policy, grade: 1,0, University of Copenhagen, course: International Law & Economics, language: English, abstract: The European Union aspires to be a frontrunner in the transition towards a low-carbon economy. Its energy policy aims at reconciling climate and environmental objectives, with concerns over security of supply and competitive markets. The restructuring and modernisation of the European energy system is driven by a continuous liberalisation regime in conjunction with the promotion of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The implications of this strategy are manifold, whereof the modernisation and upgrade of the electricity grid is increasingly recognized to be the quintessential prerequisite to meet tomorrow's energy challenges. The emergence of the Smart Grid has enthused industry and policy makers alike, as it has the potential to be the enabler for a future low-carbon electricity system by facilitating demand-side efficiency, increasing the shares of renewables and distributed energy generation, and enabling electrification of transport. The European Commission views the Smart Grid as the backbone of Europe's future energy infrastructure advancing the development of green energy, while making the system more stable through information and communication technologies. The deployment of Smart Grid implies a technological transformation that will have a deep impact on the whole electricity value chain. The thesis explores the effects of this transition process with regard to energy market liberalisation, Smart Grid deployment and energy market integration. We scrutinize the relationship of these three variables, by considering Smart Grids as a function of liberalisation, liberalisation as a function of Smart Grid deployment and last but not least market integration as a function of liberalisation and Smart Grid deployment. [...]

HVDC grids and super grids have sparked so much interest these days that researchers and engineers across the globe are talking about them, studying them, supporting them, or questioning them. This book provides valuable information for researchers, industry, and policy makers. It explains why HVDC is favorable over AC technologies for power transmission; what the key technologies and challenges are for developing an HVDC grid; how an HVDC grid will be designed and operated; and how future HVDC grids will evolve. The book also devotes significant attention to nontechnical aspects such as the influence of energy policy and regulatory frameworks.This book is a result of collaboration between industry and academia. It provides theoretical insights into the design and control of MMC technology and investigates practical aspects of the project planning, design, manufacture, implementation, and commissioning of MMC-HVDC and multi-terminal HVDC transmission technologies; filling the knowledge gap between the technology specialists and VSC-HVDC project developers and key personnel involved in those projects.

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the energy transformation process ongoing in Germany, now commonly referred to as energiewende, in the European context, with a focus on the electricity sector. It presents an expert look at the origins of the German energiewende, its concrete implementation, its impacts within the European context as well as medium and long-term perspectives. The authors, internationally recognized energy, electricity, and climate economists at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and Berlin University of Technology, conclude that the first years of the energiewende have successfully laid the foundation for a renewables-based electricity system in Germany, but that challenges remain in relation to decarbonizing the electricity system and phasing out nuclear energy. The authors also provide ground-breaking insights to inform energy policy in other countries and at the European level. In the outlook, the authors explore upcoming issues, such as coupling between the electricity and other sectors, and behavioral changes of industry and households. The book addresses readers in the energy industry, energy and climate policymakers, regulators, and others interested in the low carbon energy system transformation in Germany, Europe, and worldwide.

Europe's critical infrastructure is a key concern to policymakers, NGOs, companies, and citizens today. A 2006 power line failure in northern Germany closed lights in Portugal in a matter of seconds. Several Russian-Ukrainian gas crises shocked politicians, entrepreneurs, and citizens thousands of kilometers away in Germany, France, and Italy. This book argues that present-day infrastructure vulnerabilities resulted from choices of infrastructure builders in the past. It inquires which, and whose, vulnerabilities they perceived, negotiated, prioritized, and inscribed in Europe's critical infrastructure. It does not take 'Europe' for granted, but actively investigates which countries and peoples were historically connected in joint interdependency, and why. In short, this collection unravels the simultaneous historical shaping of infrastructure, common vulnerabilities, and Europe.

øLaw and Policy of the European Gas Market explores the law and politics of the EU gas market and in particular, the regulatory and competitive choices of institutions and bodies operating on the market, with a view to achieving a higher level of marke

Comprehensive, cross-disciplinary coverage of Smart Grid issues from global expert researchers and practitioners. This definitive reference meets the need for a large scale, high quality work reference in Smart Grid engineering which is pivotal in the development of a low-carbon energy infrastructure. Including a total of 83 articles across 3 volumes The Smart Grid Handbook is organized in to 6 sections: Vision and Drivers, Transmission, Distribution, Smart Meters and Customers, Information and Communications Technology, and Socio-Economic Issues. Key features: Written by a team representing smart grid R&D, technology deployment, standards, industry practice, and socio-economic aspects. Vision and Drivers covers the vision, definitions, evolution, and global development of the smart grid as well as new technologies and standards. The Transmission section discusses industry practice, operational experience, standards, cyber security, and grid codes. The Distribution section introduces distribution systems and the system configurations in different countries and different load areas served by the grid. The Smart Meters and Customers section assesses how smart meters enable the customers to interact with the power grid. Socio-economic issues and information and communications technology requirements are covered in dedicated articles.The Smart Grid Handbook will meet the need for a high quality reference work to support advanced study and research in the field of electrical power generation, transmission and distribution. It will be an essential reference for regulators and government officials, testing laboratories and certification organizations, and engineers and researchers in Smart Grid-related industries.