The final installment of my trilogy of energy opinion pieces, after wind energy and nuclear energy, is about, how could it be otherwise, solar energy. The inexhaustible resource that our planet is showered with in abundance every day. We'd be crazy not to utilize this free energy, right?
It seems obvious, so we're investing heavily in it. I don't have panels on my roof yet, but I'm working on it. The design is already complete. Generating your own energy locally and sustainably—how great is that!
A great solution for many households. And more and more companies are also choosing solar energy. On the one hand, to meet their own sustainability goals, and on the other, to further commercial interests. All signals are green when it comes to solar energy: the benefits and necessity are clear, the technology is there, the will is there, and the money is there.
What could possibly go wrong, you might think!
A predictable surprise
And just when we're really getting going, we're running out of steam. Our electricity grid can't handle it. Private grid feed-in is already under pressure. On days when solar panels generate a good amount of power, many can't sell their generated electricity.
In addition, thousands of commercial companies are queuing with grid operators, waiting for a connection to the electricity grid. This is due to the grid's limited capacity. The development of solar energy wasn't anticipated early enough. The electricity grid, like our highways, is overcrowded. It can't accommodate any more. And that's an unfortunate conclusion.
An overcrowded grid will result in low security of supply (read: more power outages) in the coming years. Existing solar panel installations will also be automatically shut down, and new projects will be postponed, as profitability decreases and payback periods lengthen.
A lack of technically skilled people and the time required to complete various procedures will be two main reasons why the capacity of our electricity grid will not be resolved overnight.
Are we already hitting the brakes, before we've really hit the ground running with the energy transition? I hope not. Despite a lot of pessimistic stories in the media and in my circle about the inadequate electricity grid, I believe there are plenty of opportunities to continue with solar energy initiatives.
Dare to see opportunities
Increasing the grid's capacity will take many years. Government and grid operators: make it even more of an effort. This grid must be in order, preferably sooner rather than later. But I believe more is possible, including things smaller parties and private individuals can do to reduce the strain on the grid, because feed-in isn't the only option.
Temporarily storing energy is another important option. Solar energy can be stored in battery packs (home batteries) or potentially converted into, for example, geothermal energy or hydrogen. Attention, incentives, and subsidies for local energy storage are therefore essential as long as the electricity grid is not in good condition. And we want to maintain the momentum in the transition.
Melchert Rijks , consultant.
