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CenSES annual report 2013
24
In late 2011 CenSES defined two user cases that were
supposed to integrate research across disciplines and
research areas and answer important questions for
our user partners in the first years of the centre. These
user cases where related to Norway´s role as a green
battery for Europe and energy efficiency in buildings.
In late 2013 a new user case focusing on energy
demand was started. The knowledge base from these
cases and related research projects with our research
partners is now being summarized in three CenSES
position papers:
Norway´s role as a flexibility provider in a
renewable Europe
Even though renewable sources in Europe will be able
to replace large amounts of fossil energy, scenario
studies indicate that we will see periods with large
amounts of deficit energy, and similar periods with
large amounts of surplus energy. The variability of
wind and solar power implies that we will see larger
variations in power generation over multiple time-
scales including minutes, hours, days, weeks and
seasons.
•
In the horizon, ranging from hours and up, varying
regional price differences will arise and increased
energy exchange between Norway and the rest of
Europe will be the consequence.
•
In shorter time periods more balancing capacity
and improved ancillary services mechanisms are
needed to ensure a stable and reliable power sup-
ply.
•
Increased variation in generation also motivate
long run instruments like Capacity Remuneration
Mechanisms (CRM) giving incentives to investors
to guarantee availability of generation capacity.
In this picture, new energy storages, flexible energy
sources and flexible energy carriers are vital enablers
for increased renewable power production. They will
contribute to the EU ambition of a low emission ener-
gy system. The access to two different flexible energy
sources, hydropower and natural gas, places Norway
in a unique position in this perspective.
It is likely that new flexibility and storage services
linked to the gas pipeline system and hydro reservoirs
of Norway will be among the more attractive solutions
in terms of capacity and cost.
User Cases and position papers
This report is written in cooperation with FME CEDREN
and summarizes our knowledge on the following
important questions:
•
How will different policy scenarios influence
Europe’s need for flexibility services and energy
exchange?
•
What are the Norwegian capabilities to be part
of the solution by providing flexibility and capac-
ity to the European energy market, both from
the natural gas system and from the hydropower
system?
•
Which uncertainty faces potential investors in
energy infrastructure and generation capacity pro-
viding flexibility to Europe?
•
How may this uncertainty be reduced and by
whom?
CenSES contact person: Kjetil Midthun, SINTEF
Energy policy measures
This position paper springs out of the user cases per-
formed in 2012 and 2013 on energy efficiency meas-
ures for buildings. In addition it includes results from
several research projects on policy measures for wind
power and electric vehicles.
The report presents a wide understanding of relevant
policy measures analysed for a social sciences per-
spective. It focuses on studies of actors that imple-
ment policies and the user/consumer. The paper will
give recommendations linked to future development
of policy measures and for efficient use of existing
measures. The planned date for the first draft version
is June 2014, when it will be sent for consultation with
CenSES user partners.
CenSES contact person: Jøran Solli, NTNU
Energy demand in Norway towards 2050
This user case started in the fall of 2013 and will lead
to the delivery of a position paper in June 2014. The
purpose is to develop energy demand projections for
relevant sectors in Norway towards 2050. The main
criteria for the work is that scenarios with open and
clear assumptions should be specified in cooperation
between CenSES partners and users for all energy car-
riers.