Story Type: Success Story

Variable renewable energy grid integration

Region:: Denmark
Sector:: Electricity

Over half of the Danish electricity supply comes from weather-dependent renewable energy sources, while the European Union average share is 19%. How did Denmark integrate large swings in electricity generation from wind and solar into its grid? How will it reach a fully renewable-based power system by 2030? Stakeholders share how to develop a flexible energy system.

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Over 50% of Denmark’s power comes mainly from wind, onshore and offshore, and solar. These renewable-energy sources are weather dependent and provide fluctuating energy supply. The ability of the grid to uptake such a high share of variable renewable energy has been achieved by increasing the flexibility of existing power plants, expanding cross-border interconnections and trade, investing in heat pumps as well as heat storage to serve as a source of flexibility, improving wind generation forecasting, and making consumer demand more flexible. Demand response will be further developed, including the implementation of long-term storage solutions and renewable-hydrogen production, to reach a fully renewable-based electricity system by 2030. Policy continuity, innovations and stakeholders’ dialogue have been key to this success.