The IEA report underlines that electricity grids, which have been the backbone of electrical systems for more than a century, are battling to meet the rapidly growing rate of clean technologies such as solar and wind. A large number of renewable energy projects awaiting connection to the grid were identified, with 1500 kW and in advanced stages of development. For perspective, this is five times the solar photovoltaic and wind capacity added in the whole world last year.
The adoption of technologies such as electric vehicles and others are expanding the role of electricity and increasing demand on grids. The report suggests strategic actions, including the expansion of interconnections within and between countries, and support of large-scale transmission projects.
The IEA warns that without investments, CO2 emissions could increase significantly, putting the goals of the Paris Agreement at risk.
Electricity grids, the ZGR experience
At ZGR, experts in power electronics and storage systems, we advocate for the modernisation of electrical infrastructure and cyber security as key pillars for confronting these challenges.
For more than two decades, we have been working very closely with national and international electricity distributors on the maintenance and modernisation of their electrical infrastructures, with the supply of electrical equipment and systems from:
- Conventional and smart chargers and rectifiers.
- Conventional or hybrid and smart systems for energy storage in batteries.
- Medium and high power UPSs
- Voltage stabilisers
- Connectors and other accessories necessary for the correct functioning of these grids.
Furthermore, we are pioneers in cyber security in our sector and we consider that it is an important area that must also be worked on.
The rapid progress in transformation towards smart and flexible electricity grids, that allow distributed generation, distribution and consumption is crucial at this time. We are living in turbulent times and electrical energy is key for the progress and development of our society. There are great opportunities but also significant risks, so it is important to have specialists with knowledge and demonstrable experience in the sector.
Íñigo Segura, Managing Director of ZGR: “The future demands modern, robust and interconnected energy generation and supply systems, managed with smart technologies. Decentralisation, self-management and self consumption will be increasingly important and electricity grids will be connected to numerous physical assets and energy sources, making it a very dynamic system with multi-directional energy flows”.
So we have significant challenges going forward to maintain the stability and the performance of the system, avoiding imbalances, power outages and cyber attacks. For management of the electricity grids of the future, we are going to need smart communications and their security requires cyber security protocols.
At ZGR, energy is our challenge and we seek energy efficiency for our customers. Therefore, we are continuously investing in innovation and technological development, with the allocation of more than 10% of our annual turnover. We are at the forefront in solutions for the modernisation of grids, with the maximum cyber security guarantees. An example is the new ZGR TPS – 500 charger – voltage rectifier, which will be on the market at the end of 2023. This is a solution for increasing the efficiency and optimising electricity distribution Smart Grids.
If it is of interest, you can consult the source at Complete report of the International Energy Agency
And you, what do you think? Do you think, like the IEA, that the transition to renewables is at risk if electricity grids are not also invested in?
