THE EDGE
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. Over
the next year or so, we’ll 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 until it’s needed most – thereby
reducing their energy bill.
1.
2. The 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 (23,500 times as potent as CO2)
and it 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 now be addressed. By latest
July 2020, the EU must report back on
this issue and assess how quickly we as
an industry can end the use of SF6. This
applies particularly to medium voltage
switchgear, which is the most prevalent
type and where a high number of
commercially available and long existing
systems are available in the market.
www.intelligentdatacentres.com
3. More consumer EV models will
be released in 2020 – from both
traditional OEMs and smaller,
challenger brands. While it is hard to
predict the number of EVs to be sold in
any one year, it 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 a need for updated
regulations will become an urgent
point of conversation within the
energy market this year. Growing EVs
means growing energy demand and as
ATTENTION IS
REQUIRED NOW
ON CREATING
THE PROPER
INFRASTRUCTURE
AND
ECOSYSTEMS.
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
increasingly complicated as more
decentralised generation comes into the
equation and demand changes.
Enabling new types of assets such as
energy storage and smart use of power
is required to ensure a stable system by
allowing grid operators to leverage added
flexible capabilities.
5. There is an overall trend of large
battery storage projects 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.
Ashraf Yehia, Managing Director,
Eaton – Middle East
Given that electrons flow easily,
opening up markets for aggregators
and improving regulations is needed to
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