Energinet: PtX and sector coupling – the way to a climate-neutral energy system

Just as the Corona crisis closed Denmark and the rest of the world, Energinet Electricity System Operator released an extremely important new system perspective analysis: “System perspectives at the 70% target and large-scale sea winds”.

In the analysis, Energinet looks more closely at the need for the development of system solutions for the future we are facing with ambitious climate targets for 2030 and onwards towards a RE-based energy system, so that the conversion of the energy system is in line with the 70% reduction target in 2030 and the possibility of to utilize large Danish offshore wind resources – especially in the North Sea – optimally in the long term a climate-neutral energy system.

During the preparation of the system analysis, Energinet has also used research and results from CITIES’ especially in relation to the part of the report that discusses system operation and digital architecture, where AI can be used for automation of operations, better forecasting methods, etc. Topics related closely to knowledge from CITIES’ focus area.

The analysis presents a number of examples of possible long-term development paths for the energy system and is an important contribution to the planning and development of the electricity system by Energinet Electricity System Operator.

The analysis shows that Power to X (PtX) and sector coupling with gas incl. Hydrogen is important for efficient utilization of the large Danish offshore wind resources.

With a good system development in this area, Denmark can utilize the very large Danish offshore wind resources for electricity exports when the international market price is high, whereas production in hours with ample electricity production and low market value can be refined to high-value PtX fuels that can replace fossil energy consumption.

This maximizes the value of the Danish wind power, and the Danish part of the North Sea can secure significant greenhouse gas reductions in both a national and international perspective.

Overview

The analysis ‘System perspectives at the 70% target and large-scale offshore wind’ contains three parts:

• a focused analysis with examples of possible development paths for a Danish energy system that meets the 70% reduction target in 2030 (part 1),

• a long-term system analysis showing the prospects of utilizing large-scale offshore wind in 2035 (part 2)

• a summary of selected focus areas for Energinet Electricity System Operator (Energinet Systemansvar, in Danish) in relation to the 70% reduction target, the utilization of large-scale offshore wind and the long-term planning and development of the electricity system (part 3).

Find the analysis (English) here: https://energinet.dk/-/media/693CB4B329244AF0AC065D86E1591517.PDF

Press release (English) here:  https://energinet.dk/-/media/9BF7F940B500490DA7FF3AE5739D6F7F.PDF