Switzerland is in the midst of the energy transition and has set itself the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050. Yet at the same time, a secure supply of electricity must be guaranteed. What does this mean for the Swiss grid, and why is flexibility so important?
From conventional generation to a decentralised supply of electricity
Operating the grid was much simpler before the energy transition than it is today: centralised power plants produced electricity, which was then supplied to consumers via the different grid levels. However, the increase in decentralised energy sources such as wind and solar plants has made grid operations much more complex. These decentralised energy sources feed electricity into the grid in multiple locations and supplement the large power plants. However, sun and wind do not always allow the same amount of electricity to be generated, leading to fluctuations that are difficult to predict.
Flexibility offers opportunities
Decentralised energy sources not only present challenges, but also offer opportunities for grid operations thanks to their flexibility. This flexibility helps to balance out major fluctuations in the grid – e.g. when wind farms generate more or less electricity depending on the weather. Photovoltaic plants produce large volumes of electricity during the day, but none at night. These daily fluctuations can be considerable. Flexibility makes it possible to store surplus electricity and to activate additional energy sources as required to keep the grid stable. However, the flexibility provided by decentralised energy resources is currently not being used efficiently at distribution grid level. These fluctuations can be balanced out by making smart use of wind and solar energy. The key is to have large energy storage systems. If wind turbines or PV plants produce surplus electricity, this energy must be stored, either in pumped storage plants or in large batteries. This possibility offers great potential but is only being utilised to a limited extent today.
Flexibility makes it possible to store surplus electricity and to activate additional energy sources as required to keep the grid stable.
Cooperation is more essential than ever
In a decentralised energy system, cooperation and the exchange of information are extremely important. Everyone must pull in the same direction, be it small power plant operators, large electricity companies, distribution system operators, Swissgrid or other European transmission system operators. This end-to-end cooperation is much more important than it used to be because power plants are now also located on the roofs of households in the form of PV systems. Places that only used to consume electricity now produce electricity as well.
Clear rules are needed to define the tasks of electricity producers, distribution system operators and Swissgrid so that decentralised energy sources can be successfully integrated into the grid. An agreement must be reached rapidly across the entire electricity sector in order to identify congestion at an early stage and to make optimum use of the flexibility of renewable energies to stabilise the grid. In short, all the players involved, be it electricity producers, distribution system operators or Swissgrid, as the transmission system operator, need to help develop the grid in Switzerland.
Swissgrid is playing an active role – both in Switzerland and in Europe
Swissgrid founded «Equigy» as a joint venture in association with the transmission system operators Tennet (Germany/the Netherlands) and Terna (Italy). Equigy is developing a «crowd-balancing platform» to enable the owners of small, decentralised energy resources to make their systems available to electricity grid operators. Equigy facilitates the exchange of data between different players and integrates new market participants into the value chain. The Equigy platform makes it easier for players to access the markets throughout Europe so that flexibility providers can participate. The main advantage of the platform is that it makes a vital contribution to grid stability and ensures a secure supply of electricity despite the increasing fluctuations caused by the energy transition. Swissgrid is implementing the «crowd-balancing platform» for all control power and control energy products.
The Equigy platform makes it easier for players to access the markets throughout Europe so that flexibility providers can participate.
At national level, Swissgrid, as the transmission system operator, is working closely with the distribution system operators and flexibility service providers Axpo, Azienda Elettrica di Massagno (AEM), CKW, ewz, Groupe E, Primeo Energie, Romande Energie and St. Galler Stadtwerke (sgsw) on the TSO-DSO coordination project. Swissgrid is committed to making the best possible use of decentralised energy resources for grid and ancillary services. The aim is to develop a coordination mechanism and to create a market for grid and ancillary services. As a result of these initiatives, Swissgrid is positioning itself in Switzerland and Europe as an innovative and sustainable company that is making a decisive contribution to the transformation of the energy system.
*Cover image AI-generated
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