The Transition of the Grid - it's all in the mix

If one thing can be said about the energy market, it is that ‘times are changing’. Our present day grid, with its historically defined structure, will also have to change to cope with the new demands of the future. As will be discussed later on, this transformation can head in different directions. Transition is no longer a mere buzzword, but a vital process that needs closely monitored to ensure that it effected as quickly and economically as possible, that it remains under our control, and that it does actually take us towards our long-term goal of realizing the sustainable supply of energy. For the desired transition, key technologies will have to be identified and evaluated. However, the energy market can no longer be divided up along traditional lines. Regulation, market and technology involve the same issues, which therefore require an integrated evaluation.

By adopting an integrated approach, it is possible to draw up a list of key technologies for smooth, managed transition. From this list, a balanced mix of technologies should be defined and tested. Multi-actor business simulation is a useful tool in this regard, enabling the impact of possible measures and technologies to be forecast while taking account of technical, economic and social variables, as well as allowing for the examination of strategies and the identification of appropriate technologies.