Power supply

The switch to sustainable energy systems will require radical adaptations to be made to our electricity distribution system as, many sustainable energy sources do not provide electricity on a continuous basis. Wind and solar energy are dependent on weather conditions and/or the time of the day.

Decentralised small-scale electricity generation with solar panels, biogas plants and micro-heat cogeneration units, for example, which are going to replace our CH boilers, also means that the electricity companies’ hold upon electricity generation is becoming smaller. In addition, the network will be used for ‘two-directional transmission’.

As a result of this, the energy supply is going to vary widely according to time and place. Nevertheless, the network will have to guarantee a constant voltage and frequency for consumers. One element of the new ‘intelligent’ networks is an effective exchange between the various generation areas, frequently across national borders. This process is supported by the liberalisation of the energy market. Energy is increasingly transported internationally, and as a result the connections between the various countries have been greatly improved. On average, the transport distance for the electricity across the network will continue to increase. This effect would be increased even further if we were to start generating solar electricity on a large scale in sunny areas such as the Sahara. In order to limit the loss of energy in this process, new distribution systems are needed, with a higher voltage, which make use of more conductive materials, or which provide a direct current instead of an alternating current. All of these developments still require much research, amongst other things into operating systems and new, safe materials that do not pose any health risks.