Hydro and the challenges of a low carbon Europe - a DACH perspective Oliver Griffiths Oli Griffiths

Low carbon vision RE technologies throughout Europe/N Africa Hydro resource clusters in Alps, Scandinavia, Iceland, Pyrenees Interconnectors linking resources and markets …but what about the practicalities?

The consumer/voter conundrum everyday rationality

A complex balance for the EU Grid objectives Power reserves Power availability Efficient RES/thermal systems recovery Fast load control to meet huge residual load gradients Sufficient and efficient energy reserves (Grid priority for RES) Pan EU market for electricity and gas Market liberalisation Low consumer prices CO 2 reduction Green energy Sustainability Environmental protection (NIMBYs) Wider objectives

2020/2050 objectives (D,A,CH) 2020 GHG emissions -20% Energy efficiency -20% RES 20% tot 32% el Sustainable resource management Increase energy sufficiency No nuclear? 2050 RES 80% tot Thermal (gas) production reduces to ‘must run’ 10 – 20 GW Thermal flexibility improves (a little)

The hydro storage opportunity Proven technology Infrastructure and expertise Massive storage capacity Short, medium and longer term storage

But still major challenges Massive hydro capacity in Alps/Scandinavia Germany only very short term pump storage Scandinavia inflexible - almost no pump storage Resources remote from major consumption/balancing areas

Conclusions Hydro can play a major role in short, medium, longer term storage, but: Major investment/research required: – Storage capacity – Variable speed pumps – Interconnectors etc Policy framework unhelpful – Coherence of policy behind one end – Market certainty to allow investment

Hydro and the challenges of a low carbon Europe - a DACH perspective Oliver Griffiths Oli Griffiths