There was a sense of optimism at this year's SolarPower Summit, which took place in Brussels yesterday and on Wednesday (26-27 March). Around 500 participants attended the event. The focus was on the efficient further development of the energy transition and decarbonisation with an even stronger integration of photovoltaics into the energy system and grids, as well as sector coupling and strengthening resilience in Europe through more energy security, more products made in Europe, stronger European supply chains and more cyber security.
SolarPower Europe's close cooperation with the European institutions and the EU Commission became clear, also through the participation of several high-ranking EU representatives.
Call for European Energy Union
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe said: “SolarPower Europe has represented the full European solar value chain for 40 years. From 50 MW of solar globally in 1985, to 350 GW alone in the EU last year, we are so proud to be powering the equivalent of 75 million EU households today. Each panel designed, built, and installed is one step forward for our energy security, our competitiveness, and our climate goals.”
EU Commissioner for Affordable Housing and Energy, Dan Jørgensen said: “In today’s challenging context, we are at a defining moment for Europe. We need to boost our competitiveness, and bring down energy costs. We need to increase our security, to protect Europe’s place in the world. And we need to accelerate decarbonisation, to ensure the future of our planet. Our response to these challenges is clear: we need to deliver the full benefits of a true Energy Union. An Energy Union that is cheaper, cleaner and more connected. To achieve this, I strongly welcome SolarPower Europe's decisive push to ramp up solar energy in Europe.”
Resilient grids and hybrid PV systems – new reports
Complementing SolarPower Europe’s flagship flexibility reports, like the annual ‘EU Battery Energy Storage Systems Outlook’, or Mission Solar 2040, the Association has published two further reports today. ‘Flexible Buildings, Resilient Grids’ and ‘Embracing the benefits of Hybrid PV systems’ focus on distributed and utility flexibility respectively.
Hemetsberger continues: “We’re hard at work ensuring that solar continues to deliver for Europe for another 40 years. Solar, storage, and flexibility are the fast track to a more secure, competitive energy system. We’ve adjusted our tagline accordingly, recognising our own work and acting as a call to action to policymakers.”
Expert analysis: 10 must-know technological trends driving solar and storage development
The new reports underline the potential of solar and storage delivering European energy security and competitiveness. ‘Embracing the benefits of Hybrid PV systems’ – which includes solar hybrid projects with storage, wind, or both – estimates that hybrid projects have a 10% lower Levelised Cost of Electricity compared to standalone projects. The report modelling also reveals how hybrid projects enhance security of supply by ensuring electricity generation even after sunset.
UK outstripping the EU with solar hybrid utility projects
However, with regards to solar and battery hybrid utility projects specifically, the UK is outstripping the EU, hosting 62% of Europe’s ‘PV+BESS’ projects alone. By comparison, leading EU countries host much fewer solar and storage projects (Germany only hosts 6% of Europe’s total for example).
Market for hybrid power plants in Europe still in the starting blocks
‘Flexible Buildings, Resilient Grids’ unpacks how electrified buildings, with digital flexibility tools, contribute to secure grids. Flexible buildings can provide more than half of the European energy systems daily flexibility needs, and around a third of the system’s annual needs. Importantly, a larger reliance on electrified flexible buildings to meet flexibility needs also means a lower dependence on fossil fuel imports and strengthened EU energy security.
New battery storage platform
The suite of SolarPower Europe storage and flexibility reports are set to be included on a new dedicated battery storage platform. The Battery Storage Europe platform will highlight storage case studies and regulatory best practices across Europe and operate as SolarPower Europe’s external arm of reinforced advocacy work on storage policy at the European-level. (hcn)
