Navigating the Energy Gap with Renewable Solutions

Across the world, leaders are having a tough time finding the right balance when planning for future energy solutions. In the UK, for example, leadership seems to be doubling down on gas plant investment. It’s tough to balance political goals with the practical challenges that come with reshaping the energy grid and bringing a modern green energy system to reality. Without some give and take, governments won't be able to hit decarbonization targets or keep the power grid stable and reliable.

Renewables and grid stability

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar depend on the weather – they are fantastic sources of power, but they fall short on stability and predictability, factors needed to support a next-generation energy grid.

Ultimately, renewables are too intermittent to be the main source of energy powering the grid. This leads to times when renewable energy can't meet demand – something that remains a concern for some leaders when it comes to meeting green energy demands.

But solutions to a green future need not be so black and white.

Large scale energy storage technologies like pumped storage have proven to be efficient and effective. To stabilize the grid and provide backup power, we need to consider the role of reliable energy from rotating machines in future solutions.

We have to make a choice between fossil fuels and renewables

In my opinion, we really have two options: leaders can stay the course with gas peakers and other fossil fueled solutions, or we can shift to using a combination of energy storage and advanced transmission technologies with renewable resources.

Gas peakers are reliable, it’s true, but they contribute to carbon emissions and don’t help to reach long-term decarbonization goals. On the other hand, using renewables with modern storage and transmission systems offers a sustainable and reliable solution.

We already have solutions like pumped storage and advanced transmission technology, so let’s use them. Pumped storage can store excess renewable energy and release it when needed, helping to balance supply and demand. Modern transmission technologies can efficiently move renewable energy from where it’s generated to where it’s needed, reducing losses and ensuring a stable supply.

Let’s close the energy gap with renewable solutions

It may make sense to some leaders to double down on fossil fueled solutions we know work – but even cleaner natural gas solutions can’t live up to the green commitment we need to make for our future.

By investing in and using the renewable technologies we already have – pumped storage and transmission – we can deal with the ups and downs of renewable energy and keep the grid stable. This approach helps us meet our decarbonization goals, boosts energy security, and reduces our reliance on fossil fuels. It’s time to make the most of the technologies we have and shift decisively towards a sustainable energy future.

Discover some more on storage technologies in the below video from 耐克森 ??