Building a European super-grid

Could an EU smart grid be a reality?

With efforts underway to receive 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, Europe is engaging in a number of alternative energy projects, one of the biggest of which is a plan to build a €400 billion super-grid to link both Europe and the Middle East, so the continents can benefit from their respective power sources.

Unsurprisingly, states in the Middle East have been pursuing solar power projects with Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE and more recently Saudi Arabia, planning projects all around the Gulf. In Europe, where the sun is less regular, alternative renewable sources are being funded; hydro-electric plants in Scandinavia and the European Alps, onshore and offshore wind farms in the Baltic and North Sea and marine energy and biomass power facilities.

Projects such as Desertec, which is being planned by a consortium of European governments, non-governmental organisations and industrial corporations, is one such scheme that could potentially power homes on both continents should the grid go ahead.

When it comes to integrating renewables into a super-grid, there are many issues to deal with. The problem with putting clean energy onto any existing grid, without it being adequately integrated with other forms of power or optimised as a reliable first-tier energy source, would act as 'grid congestion' and has been the main barrier to full utilisation. On top of that, potential renewable variability could cause reliability challenges at relatively high levels of distribution.

However a new super or smart grid could change that. In fact, it has the potential and the aim of providing 15 percent or more of Europe and the Middle East's electricity needs with solar power by 2050.

Utilities summit

The benefits of a mass European smart grid will be one of the topics discussed at the Next Generation Utilities Technology EU Summit (hosted by GDS International) from the 5-7 October.

Attending the event will be Peter Buhler, CEO of AEW Energie, Wayne Johncock, Head of Strategic Planning & Enterprise of Centrica/British Gas, Ireneusz Kulka, VP of Energa, Andy Muhlheim, Head of Information & Communication Technology of Swissgrid and Christian Chapus, Senior Manager of EDF.

With renewable energy projects sprouting up all over both continents, the chances of getting all our power needs from clean technology is becoming more and more likely and would ease concerns over current energy supplies.

Earlier in the year, a study from international consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers stated that Europe and North Africa could achieve "complete independence" from fossil fuels by 2050 and that all the technologies necessary were already in place. Only time will tell if a European smart grid will become a reality.

Relevant articles:

Roadmap 2050: Linking EU power grids | Desertec: Powering Europe from the Sahara | Samso: The energy self-sufficient island

Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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