CONNECTED ENERGY
WRITTEN BY : DOMINIC ELLIS particularly relevant for the integration of Variable Renewable Energy ( VRE ) and greater system flexibility .
Supergrids can also level out excess power or variability generated in local grids . As the deployment of VRE generators increases in the power mix , so the variability and uncertainty introduced by these resources progressively affect local grid balances .
Investment in supergrids stood at US $ 8.3bn in 2016 , but this could rise to US $ 10.2bn by the end of 2025 , according to Navigant Research . The Asia Pacific currently represents the largest regional market for supergrid investment – accounting for an estimated 66 % through 2025 .
On the flip side , their development requires international political collaboration on-grid ownership , rights and revenue allocation . They also require regulatory cohesion across multiple countries in order to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders in such networks across national boundaries . Balancing power at the distribution , regional , national and international level further requires close coordination between system operators across territories , which is complex .
“ While regional supergrids could bring cleaner , more efficient , and more costeffective electric power systems , their development is complicated by a number of
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