Chapter 4 - Integrating the rising variable renewable generation: A Spanish perspective

Abstract

Like all Member States of the European Union, Spain began the energy transition some years ago. The final objective in Europe and in Spain is net zero carbon emissions—that is the complete decarbonization of the economy—by 2050. The Spanish Government has submitted a National Energy and Climate Plan that provides a framework for the energy transition until 2030. That plan implies a huge increase in variable renewable electricity generation, as well as decarbonization measures in transportation and heating. It is argued here that a successful transition requires a huge expansion of short and, increasingly, long-term, flexibility, including an increase in demand flexibility. Electrification of end markets will also be necessary to achieve the targets for 2030. These same trends—renewables penetration, flexibility, and electrification—will need to accelerate after 2030 in order to meet the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. This process must be accompanied by regulatory reforms that recognize the increasing connection among all energy carriers in a fully decarbonized energy system.