INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology
Renewables, EVs, flexibility and
sulphur hexafluoride – top energy
predictions for the year ahead
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This year is set to once again bring focus to the ongoing
transition of the energy industry. Responding to the public’s
concerns around the progress of climate change and the
industry’s push to adopt green technologies will be two major
drivers for the year ahead. A proactive approach is needed to
address the roadblocks currently hindering significant progress.
Ashraf Yehia, Managing Director, Eaton – Middle East, offers his
top energy predictions.
1.
Renewable energy will continue
to overtake traditional sources
across EMEA. More specifically,
solar energy will come back to Europe and
remain as a viable source of energy. We
expect to see a growing trend of zero subsidy
large-scale solar projects being developed
across the region. This will be coupled with
an uptick in storage plus solar on buildings
which will enable consumers to capture and
save energy.
2. European Commission must review the
progress for reliable, cost-effective and
energy efficient alternatives to Sulphur
Hexafluoride (SF6) in electric switchgear.
As more solar and wind farms are being
built, the demand for electrical switchgear is
increasing. Unfortunately, most of today’s
switchgear contains – and leaks – SF6 gas.
SF6 is by far the worst of all greenhouse
gases and has long since been banned in the
EU for most uses.
However, a carve-out was allowed for
large electrical switchgear due to industry
pressure. As the awareness of global
warming has increased, both industry and
regulators are increasingly aware that SF6
usage in electric switchgear is growing and
must be addressed.
3. More consumer EV models will be
released from both traditional OEMs and
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smaller, challenger brands. The number of
EVs to be sold in one year is hard to predict
but is expected to continue growing. Even if
complete and total EV adoption is still years
away, attention is required now on creating
the proper infrastructure and ecosystems.
This can alleviate concerns about range
anxiety, while increasing the overall
attractiveness of moving to EVs.
For example, ensuring smart charging and
bi-directional chargers instead of simple
‘dumb’ chargers will in turn lower the cost to
consumers, reduce pressure on the electrical
system and help accelerate the rapid
adoption of EVs.
4. Flexibility and demand for updated
regulations will become an urgent talking
point. Growing EVs means growing energy
demand and as renewables are not as
dispatchable as coal or gas, a solution must
be found. Grid management to match supply
and demand of electricity is becoming
complicated as more decentralised
generation comes into the equation and
demand changes. Enabling new types of
assets is required to ensure a stable system
by allowing grid operators to leverage added
flexible capabilities.
5. An overall trend of large battery
storage projects is coming onto the grid,
but behind the meter is still limited due
to outdated regulations and market
structures. With the growth in EVs and
new gigawatt scale factories coming
online, battery prices continue to fall. This
is enabling a growth in large grid energy
storage projects. However, behind the meter,
energy storage still cannot access the same
markets and as a result, is limited.
Given that electrons flow easily, opening
up markets for aggregators and improving
regulations is needed to rapidly accelerate
the growth in using batteries ‘behind the
meter’ – namely in buildings and residences.
This will allow faster growth in all renewables
and democratise energy storage and solar
for all electricity consumers.
6. The hydrogen economy and the
understanding of green vs. grey energy
is to be a major focus. Stakeholders are
increasingly aware of how we can move
from natural gas to the use of low cost,
green energy to generate hydrogen. Over the
next year or so we’ll likely see this get more
attention within stationary applications and
industrial processes like green steel.
7. There will be more focus on grid
digitalisation. There can be no ‘smart’
grid without awareness around what’s
happening across all energy systems.
The best way of avoiding major blackouts
will be leveraging new digital tools. It’s now
possible to create and manage microgrids
that can allow parts of the grid to run
without interruption even when major
failures or unplanned events occur. Until
now, most of these innovations have only
been simulated and it’s time to increase
the number of pilots and the development
of digitalisation, and the implementation
of software. This will be the next big step
towards the smart grid of the future. n
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