If we look at the current state of the electricity market, we usually tend to all the obstacles and all the hurdles we still need to overcome to arrive at a satisfying state. However, imagine, you were a time traveler from the year 2000 would probably rub his eyes today at how much energy systems and markets have already changed since then.

Artificial intelligence is making generation and consumption forecasts ever more accurate, battery storage systems now cost only a fraction of the price, and dynamic electricity tariffs and variable grid charges are paving the way for more flexible demand. Nevertheless, there is still enough to do on the way to a 100% renewable, flexible and affordable electricity supply.

In this episode, we take a journey through time with experts from hep solar and talk about how we can create a better balance between electricity generation and demand.

Timeline:

• 02:38 In 2002, Severin Bornstein wrotes in a magazine “In nearly all electricity markets, demand is difficult to forecast and is almost completely insensitive to price fluctuations, while supply faces binding constraints at peak times, and storage is prohibitively costly.” What is the context of the quote? And what has changed since then?
• 07:41 There are many skeptics who say that we cannot achieve a reliable energy supply with renewables. Just in November, there was renewed discussion in Germany about the dark days that have made electricity very expensive. What do we say to these skeptics?
• 10:07 The electrification of the heating and transport sectors will increase the gap between electricity supply and demand in the future. What is the best way to balance this, also from an economic point of view?
• 20:03 What is the role of variable network charges in balancing electricity supply and demand?
• 22:37 What trends do they see in your daily work to further improve the integration of solar energy?

About The smarter E Podcast

The smarter E podcast is all about the current trends and developments in a renewable, decentralized and digital energy industry. Our host welcomes and interviews personalities who shape our industry and drive developments forward. A new episode is published bi-weekly on Thursdays.

About hep solar

hep solar is a specialist for solar investments and solar parks. The owner-managed family business from Baden-Württemberg develops, builds, operates and finances solar parks all over the world, but especially in Germany, Japan and North America. For over 15 years, hep solar has been combining know-how in the operational management of solar parks with a high level of expertise in the financial sector.

The company covers the entire solar energy value chain: from project development and construction to long-term operation. Through international solar investments, hep solar offers investors the opportunity to participate in the global expansion of solar energy. hep solar employs more than 200 people worldwide with offices in Germany, Japan, the USA and Canada.

Martin Vogt

With 15 years of experience in the renewable energy field with his current responsibilities including a 6,000 MW greenfield solar PV project pipeline across North America (US & Canada), Europe (Germany & Poland), and Asia (Japan).

Dr. Julian Hochscherf

Dr. Julian Hochscherf has been Head of ESG at hep solar since 2022. He works on all aspects of sustainability in the sphere of solar PV markets and supply chains as well as in the field of impact investing.

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