THE EDGE
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 versus grey
energy is going to be a major topic of
discussion in 2020. Stakeholders are
increasingly aware of how we can move
from natural gas to the use of low cost,
green energy to generate hydrogen.
While this was previously seen as only
important within the mobility industry,
over the next year or so we’ll likely see
it get more attention within stationary
applications and industrial processes
like green steel. Not only is this a way
to decarbonise heat and long-distance
70
Issue 13
mobility, it can also be used as a way to
manage seasonal energy demand.
7. There will be more of a focus on the
digitalisation of the grid. There can be
no ‘smart’ grid without comprehensive
awareness around what is happening
across all energy systems. What is clear is
that we must avoid major blackouts – like
the one seen in the UK in 2019 – and the
best way to do so will be by leveraging
new digital tools. It’s now possible to
create and manage microgrids that can let
parts of the grid 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. ◊
THERE CAN BE
NO ‘SMART’
GRID WITHOUT
COMPREHENSIVE
AWARENESS
AROUND WHAT
IS HAPPENING
ACROSS ALL
ENERGY
SYSTEMS.
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