Grid Edge Study Reveals Climate Change Preparedness
25.11.2020, 13:41
Grid Edge Study Reveals Climate Change Preparedness
A new grid edge study by Siemens Smart Infrastructure, Technische Universität Berlin and the University of Oxford compares the effectiveness of policies introduced by different countries as they transition energy provision in response to climate change.
Energy generation is increasingly relying on renewables, and formerly passive consumers are becoming active prosumers. For this energy turnaround to succeed, the grid edge – the interface between energy supply and energy demand – is more important than ever. Grid edge technologies are crucial to support the energy transformation. They encompass a wide range of technologies, from electric vehicles to heat pumps, solar panels, and smart meters to apps which allow remote control of appliances.
Focus on five countries
The white paper focuses on Finland, Germany, Singapore, the UK, and the U.S. state of California. These regions were selected because they have been at the forefront in developing and adopting modern energy technologies in the past. The research found that Finland is the country with the highest readiness, in part due to its plans for a flexibility market and high carbon price, while California has the highest need, in part due to its solar panel penetration. Germany and the UK follow closely behind, while Singapore, although exhibiting high grid edge readiness, presents a lower need, partly due to moderate ambitions for introducing renewables into its future energy mix.
The study analyses 31 additional countries including populous nations, China, India, and the Russian Federation, and Canada, Norway, South Africa and Switzerland which are relatively unpopulated.
Michael Weinhold, Chief Technology Officer for Siemens Smart Infrastructure, comments: “There is no one-fits-all blueprint for the energy transformation. Many factors influence which solutions are appropriate for a region, and how ready a country is to deploy them at scale.
“To know the need and readiness for grid edge technologies in a specific geography can be extremely valuable for companies and governments alike. For instance, regulatory frameworks can encourage and even accelerate corporations’ energy transformation activities.”
Results of the study, including a comparative analysis of 36 countries for their grid edge readiness and needs, and individual country “scores”, are available in a white paper at https://new.siemens.com/global/en/company/topic-areas/smart-infrastructure/grid-edge-whitepaper2.html.
