“It is necessary to increase the investment in electricity grid so that it is more resilient and safe in the face of the increase in natural catastrophes,” that has been one of the main conclusions of experts in the electricity sector that have met in a new day of the Energy Law Observatory of the Law Faculty of the Pontifical University Comillas.
In the course of the round table “the resilience of the electrical system to natural catastrophes”, organized within the framework of the Energy Law Observatory of the Comillade-Icade Pontifical University, experts approached the resilience of the electrical system to extreme weather phenomena, whose impact has intensified due to climate change. The event was attended by experts in the field, who highlighted the need to invest in more resilient, intelligent and sustainable electrical infrastructure.
The Round Table was moderated by Juan José Lavilla, founder and director of Lavilla Abogados and the Energy Law Observatory of the Comillas Pontifical University, and was attended by: Manuel Argüelles, General Director of Energy and Mines of the Valencian Community; Óscar Barrero, PWC Spain Responsible Partner; Ángel Mahou, General Director of Transport of Electricity of Spain; Eva Mancera, CEO of I-Intelligent Electric Networks.
Resilience to climate change: a growing challenge
The frequency and intensity of extreme meteorological phenomena, such as the recent Dana and storms such as Filomena, are even tested in value the strength of the Electrical System of Spain. In a global stage for the search for energy autonomy and competitiveness through electrification, based on clean and native energies, and in robust networks, the speakers underlined the need to increase investments in digitalization and modernization of the electricity network to improve their response capacity to extreme climatic events, which make the incorporation of advanced technologies essential, such as automation and predictive systems for predictive systems, minimize response times and guarantee supply.
In addition, the role of artificial intelligence and data analysis in the optimization of network maintenance and management was highlighted, with the aim of improving the reliability of the electrical system and reducing the impact of incidents.
An example was put on the table like the Dana last October, which demonstrated how important it is to have a robust electricity and the effectiveness of investments in digitalization of networks and control and operation centers, because that facilitated a rapid restoration of the electricity supply to more than 50% of those affected in less than 24 hours and 95% of those affected in less than 72 hours.
Ángel Mahou, General Director of Transport of Electrica de España, has assured that “the mesh allows the energy of the generation to consumption by different channels. We must think about the future and provide the system with greater security, increase technology, get a system that is redundant and collaboration is also key. Without collaboration, what happened in the Dana would have been worse. ”
“The investment in networks is fundamental, if the network had not been bad enough, in the Dana we could not have been able to reach the house of customers by alternative roads. In turn, digitalization allowed us to have visibility of how infrastructure were, knowing the paths for what we could go and for those we could not, which allowed us to take three days to recover the supply. ”, Recalling Eva Mancera, counselor of intelligent electrical networks.
Iberdrola, through the IL.lumina plan, has approved an investment of 100 million euros to to redesign the electrical networks affected by the DANA. With this project, the company seeks to increase the resilience of electrical infrastructure, anticipating future natural catastrophes and guaranteeing electricity supply in all circumstances.
“The system requires the support of nuclear technology and more in adverse weather situations. These situations are accompanied by low renewable contribution, first because the demand tips occur when the sun goes, and second because there is no wind or because there is too much and the parks cannot operate. In the Dana, chest was essential to maintain the instantaneous balance of the system. The nuclear allows to provide firmness and flexibility to the system, ”said Óscar Barrero, a party responsible for PWC Spain.
“Closing nuclear is to become more vulnerable. The citizen does not want to go through the invoices of 2022, nor see that companies close because they stop being competitive, our oil is the wind and the sun and are the best solution, but they have to balance with the nuclear. Let’s remove ideology and dogmatism, make numbers and be objectives. The Dragui report says that all member countries must rethink the expansion of the useful life of nuclear power plants to avoid external energy dependence, ”said Manuel Argüelles, director of Energy and Mines of the Valencian Community.
The future of the energy mix: risks of nuclear closure
The experts highlighted the need for a mix of electricity generation that guarantees the supply, especially underlining the risks associated with the closure of nuclear plants. The disappearance of these, without having developed sufficient renewable and storage capacity, such as hydroelectric pumps, could lead to a significant increase in electricity prices and an increase in energy dependence, as well as CO2 emissions, which would especially affect the country’s competitiveness.
A PWC study, which brought by one of the speakers, estimates that in a nuclear scenario combined cycles would have to supply all the loss of generation, which would mean an increase in the wholesale price of electricity of about € 37/MWh, increasing the electrical invoice by 23% for the domestic sector and the small and medium -sized company and by 35% for the industry.
Experts warned that the closure of nuclear plants could compromise supply security. Without nuclear energy, energy dependence would be increased, the system would depend even more on less resilient technologies and with higher CO2 emissions, which could affect the stability of the electricity supply in the country.
It should not be ignored that excessive taxation on the Spanish nuclear park endangers its economic viability, and explained how countries with operational nuclear power plants are betting on expanding their useful life or developing new centrals, combining the need for supply security with a new geopolitical framework more oriented to self -sufficiency.
Another important aspect is the loss of competitiveness of the Spanish industry and the loss of opportunity to attract new industry.
The Round Table concluded with an appeal to the need to increase investment in networks, more flexible, increasing the financial compensation rate- in terms of homologables to those of other markets. It is also necessary to improve the flexibility of the planning of the transport network, and acceleration in obtaining permits for the construction of new lines and substations, and in this way, to continue advancing in the digitalization and modernization of the electricity grid. The need to integrate predictive tools and adaptation strategies that allow guaranteeing a safe and efficient supply before the climatic and energy challenges of the future was highlighted.