Laura Otýpková
Lawyer and Head of the Responsible Energy Team
What would happen to Czech power grid in 2030 if all coal power plants were shut down? Even without coal-fired generation it is possible to ensure stable electricity supply in the Czech Republic, proves a study which we publicly presented in May 2018. Now we introduce new additional scenarios to the study, again analysed by Energynautics.
New scenarios show that Czech power grid poses no obstacle to phase-out of all coal powered power plants, even under the following conditions:
Increase in power consumption due to development of electromobility and heat pump. The study concludes that grid stability poses no major obstacle for the transformation of Czech energy sector from coal to renewables. In includes also an overview of recommended measures, which could increase the ability of the grid to react to fluctuation in VTE and FVE production for individual scenarios. The measures comprise the possibility of energy accumulation in heating stations and biogas storage in biogas stations. These measures would increase the potential of these sources for generation dispatch management. Further improvement can be achieved through optimalization of CCGT turbines.
The study reacts to the current European drift from coal towards renewable energy. This trend often raises a question: could the substitution of coal power plants with sources which are highly dependant on weather threaten the stability and security of power supplies? This question is definitely appropriate - the share of renewables in the European union is 30 % and increasing. This growth in renewable energy is caused especially by solar and wind sources of energy and biomass. The study which is unique to the Czech environment shows that the options of Czech power grid do not stand in the way of further energy transformation.
The additional research was carried out by a renown German consulting company Energynautics, upon a request of Czech organizations – Glopolis, Frank Bold and Hnutí Duha (Friends of the Earth Czech Republic).
The Czech government presented five key priorities it wants to focus on during the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, beginning on 1 July. The priorities include post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, energy security, strengthening European defence and cybersecurity, as well as the resilience of the European economy and of democratic institutions. However, according to Frank Bold experts, there is a lack of emphasis on the green transition - which is crucial for both energy security and economic resilience.
An unprecedented decision was made at the Municipal Court in Prague in the historically first Czech climate litigation, for which Frank Bold Advokáti provided legal expertise.
European companies can now take a look at the draft sustainability reporting standards they will report against in the coming years. The drafts were developed by the EFRAG Project Task Force on EU Sustainability Reporting Standards, with the participation of two Frank Bold representatives - Head of the Responsible Companies Section Filip Gregor, and Joanne Houston, from Frank Bold's Brussels office. Both experts will continue contributing to the development of the EU standards as members of the newly established EFRAG Sustainability Pillar.
