How Did the German and Other European Electricity Systems React to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Overview

Journal Appl Energy

Date 2022 Dec 26

PMID 36568698

Authors

Stephanie Halbrugge

Paul Schott

Martin Weibelzahl

Hans Ulrich Buhl

Gilbert Fridgen

Michael Schopf

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to decreases in electricity demand and a rising share of Renewable Energy Sources in various countries. In Germany, the average proportion of net electricity generation via Renewable Energy Sources rose above 55 % in the first half of 2020, as compared to 47 % for the same period in 2019. Given these altered circumstances, in this paper we analyze how the German and other European electricity systems behaved during the COVID-19 pandemic. We use data visualization and descriptive statistics to evaluate common figures for electricity systems and markets, comparing developments during the COVID-19 pandemic with those of previous years. Our evaluation reveals noticeable changes in electricity consumption, generation, prices, and imports/exports. However, concerning grid stability and ancillary services, we do not observe any irregularities. Discussing the role of various flexibility options during the COVID-19 pandemic, a relatively higher grid capacity resulting from a decreased electricity consumption, in particular, may have contributed to grid stability.

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