What can be done when it is dark (no solar power) and there is no wind either, but power demand is high? German analysts took a look at the worst combination in recent history – from 2006 – and found a way to bridge the gap. But is it affordable? Craig Morris’ main takeaway: The Germans know the Energiewende’s weak spot, and they have modeled it, modeled it, modeled it. Among others, the Kombikraftwerk study investigated the “dark doldrums” in a scenario with 100% renewable power – and found it to be manageable, also with lots of P2G. And I have said before (such as in 2013) that Germany will always need dispatchability roughly at the level of its annual peak demand. With each new scenario, that seemingly daunting future is looking more affordable.
Energy Transition 17th July 2017 read more »