In “ Beyond Integration: Three dynamics reshaping renewables and the grid” , a recent global industry research initiative, DNV GL gathered views from over 1,600 energy sector participants across more than 70 countries.
The study addressed key questions on how to best move forward the integration of renewables into the global electricity grids to ensure the future of electricity. The survey points to broad global consensus that a renewables based electricity system can be achieved. Eight out of 10 respondents believe that the electricity system can be 70 percent renewable by 2050. Almost half of them believe this can be achieved in the next 15 years.
Questions included asking respondents to consider a scenario in which renewables account for 70 percent of power sector generation. How likely did they feel this was to come about? What timeframe might they assign to such a scenario? To whom would the scenario pose challenges? To whom might it offer opportunities?
The report includes analysis from chief author Fliss Jones and insights from DNV GL’s energy storage expert Dr. Ali Nourai and future grid expert Peter Vaessen. The analysis sheds light on three dynamics reshaping renewables and the grid for the energy transition: convergence of metrics, rebalancing of rules and expansion of horizons.
David Walker, CEO DNV GL-Energy , said: “DNV GL’s analysis of these findings concludes that the solution for a high renewables future demands a dramatic change in the industry’s approach to the integration of new technology. We need to adopt more collaborative approaches and go beyond old metrics, beyond old rules and beyond old silos. A shift away from a paradigm in which renewables are considered a nuisance to be accommodated to one in which the true potential of renewables in balancing and securing grids is unlocked. The debate needs to move ‘beyond integration’. DNV GL is taking the broader view and opening that discussion.”
Report findings are organised around three dynamics, which DNV GL sees reshaping not just electricity, but the entire energy sector:
Image: DNV GL