Transitioning to a climate-neutral society demands rethinking how energy is produced, distributed, and stored. A recent study from Aalborg University [57.05°N, 9.93°E] explores smart energy systems, a holistic approach that connects electricity, heating, cooling, transportation, and industrial sectors. This integrated model shows how combining energy storage and cross-sector solutions can make climate neutrality both achievable and affordable.
The Problem with Single-Sector Solutions
Traditional energy planning often focuses narrowly on electricity systems, neglecting the broader interactions between sectors. This fragmented approach leads to:
- High Curtailment: Excess renewable energy that cannot be stored or used is wasted.
- Cost Inefficiencies: Isolated storage systems and investments fail to maximise potential savings.
What is a Smart Energy System?
A smart energy system integrates all energy-related sectors to optimise production, distribution, and storage. It uses technologies like:
- Power-to-X: Converts surplus electricity into other energy forms (e.g., hydrogen or e-fuels).
- Sector Coupling: Links electricity, heating, cooling, and transport to share resources and improve flexibility.
- Diverse Storage Options: Includes batteries, thermal storage, and hydrogen to reduce costs and enhance energy balance.
Key Findings
- More Integration, Less Waste:
- In a fully integrated system, renewable energy curtailment drops from over 30% to just 3%.
- Excess electricity is repurposed efficiently across sectors, reducing reliance on expensive fossil fuels.
- Cost Savings with Cross-Sector Storage:
- Combining thermal, hydrogen, and battery storage provides a more affordable solution than relying solely on electricity storage.
- Costs decrease as more sectors are linked, demonstrating the economic value of integration.
- Flexibility is Key:
- Flexible demand, like electric vehicle charging or heat pump operation, ensures renewable energy is used when it’s most abundant.
- This reduces strain on storage systems and improves overall efficiency.
What This Means for Climate Action
- Affordable Climate Neutrality: By integrating sectors, countries can meet ambitious climate targets without excessive costs.
- Optimised Use of Renewables: Wind, solar, and other renewables are utilised more effectively, maximising their potential.
- Blueprint for Global Action: While the study focuses on Denmark, the principles apply to any country striving for a sustainable energy future.
Looking Ahead
The shift to smart energy systems represents a paradigm change in how we think about energy. By embracing this holistic model, governments and industries can unlock cleaner, more reliable, and cost-effective pathways to decarbonisation.
This research highlights that the solutions for a sustainable future are not just about adding more renewables but about reimagining the system as a whole.
Source
Energy balancing and storage in climate-neutral smart energy systems, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2024-12
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