Do efforts to secure electricity supply involve storage?
The evolution of electricity production requires that governments and companies make efforts to secure their supply . This is what a recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows. It takes stock of the risks linked to cybersecurity and climate change. Among the efforts to be accentuated, the development of other modes of production and the implementation of storage solutions.
New risks for the electricity supply
“ Electricity is essential for the functioning of modern societies, as the COVID-19 crisis has shown ,” said Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA. In an analysis published last October , the manager looks at the new risks identified which can impact the current electricity supply.
For example, the health crisis linked to COVID-19 has had repercussions on electricity production in France. In April 2020, EDF announced a reduction in its nuclear production to around 300 TWh. This is particularly due to the historically low availability of certain production plants .
The head of the AIE identifies several risk factors . That of cybersecurity in particular, while the digitalization of electrical systems increases their level of vulnerability. For Fatih Birol, even if total prevention is not possible, it is “ imperative to strengthen cyber-resilience measures ”. It also notes the risks linked to extreme weather events, in a context of climate change. “ The effects of climate change also require electricity systems to be more resilient ,” he believes.
Storage solutions to ensure a stable supply
The rise of renewable energies also involves finding solutions for more flexible systems, as wind or solar production can vary depending on weather conditions.
“ The challenge for governments and services is to update policies and regulations to ensure that electricity systems offer the same level of security during their transition to renewable energy ,” says Fatih Birol.
This also involves the implementation of new additional flexibility resources and electricity storage solutions , in order to ensure a stable supply while integrating renewable energies.
Photo: louis-moncouyoux / unsplash
