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    Towards 100% renewable energy
    Every second counts
     
    Every second counts

    Decisions for a sustainable future need to happen now

    Fast, flexible balancing power is essential for the energy transition

    Each moment that ticks by is a reminder of the potential of a single second. Within each second and decision lies an opportunity to accelerate the decarbonisation of energy.

    If we want to achieve our net zero targets, decisions need to be sped up and policies need to change in many parts to accelerate the transition to renewable power systems.

     

    SOUTH AFRICAAUSTRALIAEUROPEUSAOur energy systems must changeThe inflexibility of energy systems combined with the rise of renewables in the generation mix and changing climatic conditions have led to growing energy-related challenges.We can see this happening around the world.In South Africa, insufficient generating capacity and heavy reliance on outdated coal generation cause loadshedding and frequent blackouts.In Australia, the spot market failed due to insufficient power supply, extreme price spikes, unscheduled outages, and extreme weather conditions.In Europe, energy prices and household bills skyrocketed after gas supplies from Russia were cut off in 2022.In the USA, extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, wildfires, and extreme cold have made large-scale outages commonplace. SOUTH AFRICAAUSTRALIAEUROPEUSAOur energy systems must changeThe inflexibility of energy systems combined with the rise of renewables in the generation mix and changing climatic conditions have led to growing energy-related challenges.We can see this happening around the world.In South Africa, insufficient generating capacity and heavy reliance on outdated coal generation cause loadshedding and frequent blackouts.In Australia, the spot market failed due to insufficient power supply, extreme price spikes, unscheduled outages, and extreme weather conditions.In Europe, energy prices and household bills skyrocketed after gas supplies from Russia were cut off in 2022.In the USA, extreme weather conditions such as heat waves, wildfires, and extreme cold have made large-scale outages commonplace.
    Countries with net zero targetsAt the same time, countries worldwide have set ambitious net zero targets.To meet these targets, we need to add significant amounts of renewable energy to our power systems. Countries with net zero targetsAt the same time, countries worldwide have set ambitious net zero targets.To meet these targets, we need to add significant amounts of renewable energy to our power systems.
    However, renewables are intermittent in nature. The wind is not always blowing, and the sun is not always shining. These fluctuations can cause instability in the grid, which requires other energy sources to respond to gaps in supply quickly and often. The grid is like a scale, where electricity demand and output need to be in perfect balance. When our existing power systems cannot get this balance right, instability increases. This causes higher electricity prices, recurring blackouts, and vulnerability to extreme weather conditions.Traditional inflexible baseload power plants struggle with these fluctuations, which can cause instability in the grid. However, renewables are intermittent in nature. The wind is not always blowing, and the sun is not always shining. These fluctuations can cause instability in the grid, which requires other energy sources to respond to gaps in supply quickly and often. The grid is like a scale, where electricity demand and output need to be in perfect balance. When our existing power systems cannot get this balance right, instability increases. This causes higher electricity prices, recurring blackouts, and vulnerability to extreme weather conditions.Traditional inflexible baseload power plants struggle with these fluctuations, which can cause instability in the grid.
    How do traditional baseload power plants work? How do traditional baseload power plants work? As the grid always needs to be in perfect balance, renewable energy will need to be curtailed, or the grid may face blackouts or interruptions in power supply.Baseload power plants take hours to start up and shut down, while renewable energy output varies on a minute-by-minute basis.As renewable energy suddenly becomes available, these inflexible baseload power plants are not able to ramp down fast enough, causing an oversupply of energy. Now, as we transition towards cleaner energy and net zero, substantial amounts of renewables are being added to the mix. What happens to the power system then?Traditional baseload power plants —such as coal and combined cycle gas turbines—have provided constant and steady power, with little need to be frequently ramped up and down. How can this problem be solved?By adding flexibility.Flexibility is more important today than it was in past power systems. As the energy mix is changing, flexibility is essential to help balance continuously fluctuating demand, fast. As the grid always needs to be in perfect balance, renewable energy will need to be curtailed, or the grid may face blackouts or interruptions in power supply.Baseload power plants take hours to start up and shut down, while renewable energy output varies on a minute-by-minute basis.As renewable energy suddenly becomes available, these inflexible baseload power plants are not able to ramp down fast enough, causing an oversupply of energy. Now, as we transition towards cleaner energy and net zero, substantial amounts of renewables are being added to the mix. What happens to the power system then?Traditional baseload power plants —such as coal and combined cycle gas turbines—have provided constant and steady power, with little need to be frequently ramped up and down. How can this problem be solved?By adding flexibility.Flexibility is more important today than it was in past power systems. As the energy mix is changing, flexibility is essential to help balance continuously fluctuating demand, fast.
    A flexible power system is one that adapts to changing conditions with minimal disruption. How does a power system become flexible?There are multiple ways to add flexibility in power systems. We can enable and encourage flexibility through: A flexible power system is one that adapts to changing conditions with minimal disruption. How does a power system become flexible?There are multiple ways to add flexibility in power systems. We can enable and encourage flexibility through:
    and choosingthe right technologiesDesigning flexibleenergy marketsRegulationsand policiesfosteringflexibility12Data-drivenpower systemplanningIncentivisingflexible assetsEnergy storageBalancing power generationEnergy management software Designing flexibleenergy marketsRegulationsand policiesfosteringflexibility1Data-drivenpower systemplanningIncentivisingflexible assetsand choosingthe right technologies2Energy storageBalancing power generationEnergy management software Different technologies play different roles. Let’s have a look at how a high-renewable, optimised power system works. Different technologies play different roles.Let’s have a look at how a high-renewable,optimised power system works.
    Intelligent energy managementsoftware can optimise the wholesystem and its assets.Engines are also needed for balancing on a minute, daily and seasonal basis. They provide additional power when neither renewables nor storage are available and when demand is highest.But when the sun sets and wind stops blowing, other solutions must plug the gap. Energy storage provides sub-second and minute-level shifting and balancing. Renewables provide the bulk of the energy. Battery energy storage isrecharged when renewable energy is available.Continuous balancing is needed from both energy storage and balancing power plants. They work together to cover sub-second, minute, daily and seasonal variations to ensure a steady supply of electricity when renewable output fluctuates. Intelligent energy managementsoftware can optimise the wholesystem and its assets.Engines are also needed for balancing on a minute, daily and seasonal basis. They provide additional power when neither renewables nor storage are available and when demand is highest.But when the sun sets and wind stops blowing, other solutions must plug the gap. Energy storage provides sub-second and minute-level shifting and balancing. Renewables provide the bulk of the energy. Battery energy storage isrecharged when renewable energy is available.Continuous balancing is needed from both energy storage and balancing power plants. They work together to cover sub-second, minute, daily and seasonal variations to ensure a steady supply of electricity when renewable output fluctuates.
    Ensuring a continuous supply of electricity is a constant balancing act, where every second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and year counts.When balancing becomes key to ensuring a stable and reliable supply of electricity, it is important to use flexible technologies. Short start-upand shut-downtimesLow minimumand improved partload efficiencyHighramp ratesShort minimum up and down times Ensuring a continuous supply of electricity is a constant balancing act, where every second, minute, hour, day, week, month, and year counts. When balancing becomes key to ensuring a stable and reliable supply of electricity, it is important to use flexible technologies. Short start-upand shut-downtimesLow minimumand improved part-load efficiencyHighramp ratesShort minimum up and down times
    Fast frequency responseAncillary servicesOptimised end-to-end grid managementGrid-forming capabilities Fast frequency responseGrid-forming capabilitiesAncillary servicesOptimised end-to-end grid management
    The decarbonising of power systemsAvoiding thecurtailment ofrenewables Improved efficiency, meaning less fuel consumption and lower costsGreater stability, meaning constant power and less risk of blackouts, especially as challenging weather conditions become the normFlexible power systems enable:Our flexible energy future is here The decarbonising of power systemsAvoiding thecurtailment ofrenewables Improved efficiency, meaning less fuel consumption and lower costsGreater stability, meaning constant power and less risk of blackouts, especially as challenging weather conditions become the normFlexible power systems enable:Our flexible energy future is here
    When sustainable fuels like green hydrogen and ammonia become economically feasible and widely available, existing power generation assets, like engine power plants, can be converted to run on these.As we transition to net zero, gas will be used as a transitional fuel. When sustainable fuels like green hydrogen and ammonia become economically feasible and widely available, existing power generation assets, like engine power plants, can be converted to run on these. As we transition to net zero, gas will be used as a transitional fuel.
    everysecondcountsBecause in the race to net zero,The solutions for a low-carbon future already exist today. With the right combination of flexibility and balance, we can make our existing energy systems fit for the future, if we act now. everysecondcountsBecause in the race to net zero, The solutions for a low-carbon future already exist today. With the right combination of flexibility and balance, we can make our existing energy systems fit for the future, if we act now.

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