Electricity and Gas Associations team up on flexibility in Energy Transition

Two reports were presented by European electricity and gas associations, representing distribution system operators (DSOs) –  CEDEC, EDSO, eurelectric, Eurogas and GEODE – who teamed up to address the issue of flexibility in the energy transition. They presented on 27 February in Brussels two reports entitled “Flexibility in the Energy Transition: a Toolbox for Electricity DSOs” and “Flexibility in the Energy Transition: a Toolbox for Gas DSOs”. These reports set out a holistic approach for DSOs use of flexibility to assist them contribute to the transition to a more decarbonised, decentralised and digitised energy system.

The DSOs advocate for smarter and more flexible distribution networks to enable the energy transition, markets transactions and wider commerce between parties. They call on EU policy-makers to integrate the roles of DSOs related to flexibility in the future electricity and gas policy and legislation. The reports present practical solutions to enable DSOs to use flexibility as a tool to operate their grids in a more cost-efficient way. Key speakers stressed that the energy transition will bring about profound changes in the way energy is produced, used, stored, and consumed. This will have a huge impact on the distribution grids where flexibility will play a crucial role.

Guillaume Virmaux (GRDF/Eurogas) and Isabel Orland (VKU/CEDEC) presented the main points of the gas report, which argues that gas grids are naturally flexible and already contribute largely to managing energy demand fluctuations, as well as decarbonising energy system. Their role will increase as a result of innovation in gas technologies, such as mini or micro-CHP, and the development of renewable gas, such as biomethane or power-to-gas.

Gert De Block, Secretary General of CEDEC closed the event with a clear message: “The unique features of both electricity and gas energy systems are complementary and can contribute to developing integrated and cost-efficient technological solutions. Gas can thus offer important flexibility solutions for electricity”.

Source: Eurogas website.

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