Renewable energies: Solar parks in SH become a problem

In Schleswig-Holstein, people are worried about the future stability of the power grid. The reason for this is the energy turnaround, which has resulted in plans to build large solar farms in the coming years. Now the regional grid operator is warning that the targets are unrealistic.

Renewable energies make rethinking necessary

Schleswig-Holstein is considered a pioneer nationwide when it comes to the use of renewable energies. The state on the North and Baltic Sea coasts already relies to a large extent on wind energy for its power supply. In addition to wind, the state also wants to use the sun as an energy source in the coming years. To this end, large solar parks are to be built. However, from the point of view of experts, the whole thing also comes with a huge downer. Schleswig-Holstein Netz AG, the most important grid operator in the state, fears that the power grid will not be able to withstand the strain. The government of Schleswig-Holstein, consisting of the Greens and the CDU, has long wanted to rely on renewable energies for its power supply. By 2030, they want to generate an impressive 30 gigawatts of energy from wind and sun alone.

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Transportation as a big problem

How to properly use renewable energy as an electricity provider is currently being demonstrated by California. The U.S. state is relying on “Crimson Storage,” a violent energy storage system that can supply huge cities. The big advantage of this is that transporting the energy away does not eat up too much electricity. On top of that, no unused energy is wasted. Matthias Boxberger, a member of the supervisory board of Schleswig-Holstein Netz, believes that this problem could have consequences in the long term, as he told the regional newspaper SHZ . After all, the removal of the extracted energy and feeding it into the power grid also requires any amount of electricity.

Consequently, you will have a large amount of generated electricity that fizzles out to nothing. According to the Federal Statistical Office, for example, 5.8 terawatt hours were produced pointlessly in the year. According to Boxberger, what is already a major problem with wind farms in Schleswig-Holstein could probably also threaten planned solar farms. While solar parks can be planned and erected within a few years, this takes much longer for the corresponding power lines that are to ensure transport. According to Boxberger, it will take about twice as long – five years – to plan and build suitable substations and connection points.