Our energy system can be based on renewable energy according to workshop report

The challenge for the energy systems is to handle fluctuating electricity supply produced from renewable energy sources.
This is the main finding of the final report from a Workshop on Future Energy Systems, organised primarily by Risø DTU and held within the context of DTU Climate Change Technologies.

A transformation of the energy system requires:

• An interconnected intelligent power grid, integrated on a European level and able to accommodate a higher level of renewable energy.
• We can achieve much with known technologies in the short term, but there is a need for research into new energy technologies and systems to be introduced after 2050, when CO2 emissions should be cut by 50 per cent compared to the 2008 level.
• Definite framework conditions and directives from the authorities. The energy sector needs this before investing hugely in connection with a significant transformation of the energy system.
• More research in low-energy buildings. Countries like Germany and Austria are in the forefront of this area.
• Carbon capture and storage in power plants and energy-consuming industries until we are able to phase out fossil fuels.
• A European wide Transmission System Operator (ENTSO-E) – independent from power producers is needed. Reinforcements are needed on both National and European scale. An offshore grid is needed.
• Electricity storage is vital for the grid and for transport.

The report:

What is the fast track to future energy systems with lower CO2 emissions? Main findings and recommendations from Workshop on Future Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark, 19 - 20 November 2008
Edited by Hans Larsen and Leif Sønderberg Petersen, Risø-R-1676(EN), April 2009

Download the report at risoe.dtu.dk