Image: Michael Schwarzenberger
Hitachi Energy has sounded the alarm for the immediate expansion of global power grids. The company emphasizes the urgency of reducing connection bottlenecks and fast-tracking the deployment of innovative power electronics technology. The timing of this call is crucial, as the world faces an unprecedented queue of renewable projects, with nearly 3,000 gigawatts (GW) waiting for grid connection—an amount equivalent to five times the solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind capacity added globally in 2022.
The Staggering Demand for Grid Expansion
The numbers paint a daunting picture. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), around 80 million kilometers of grids need to be added or replaced by 2040. This translates into a necessary doubling of grid investment to more than $600 billion annually by 2030. Such an investment is critical to accommodate the increasing penetration of renewable energy, the decentralization of power generation, and the electrification and decarbonization of traditionally fossil-based industries.
But why is this so important? As the power landscape evolves, grids are under increasing pressure. The rising share of renewable energy sources introduces more variable power flows and lower inertia, making predictability a challenge. Furthermore, the shift towards green energy corridors, which directly feed urban centers with sustainable energy, demands enhanced interconnection capacity and control.
A Holistic Approach to Modern Power Systems
In response to these challenges, Hitachi Energy has unveiled its latest innovation: Grid-enSure. Launched at the CIGRE 2024 Paris Session, Grid-enSure represents a portfolio of fully integrated solutions designed to enhance grid flexibility, resilience, and stability, thereby accelerating the sustainable energy transition.
Grid-enSure is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a new way of thinking about power systems. It brings a holistic approach to the design, planning, and operation of current and future power grids. This comprehensive portfolio is built on Hitachi Energy’s deep expertise in grid development and modernization. It leverages the company’s in-house verticalized value chain for power electronics and advanced control systems, alongside its extensive domain knowledge in power system and control engineering.
Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy’s Grid Integration business unit, highlighted the significance of this launch, stating, “We are at a defining moment in the energy transition. With unprecedented levels of renewable power being added globally, we must reconsider how we design, plan, and operate power systems to support the rapid pace of the energy transition. Traditional power technology solutions alone cannot provide the necessary speed and functionalities that our renewable-powered grids require, so a more holistic approach is needed.”
The Logistics Challenge: Aiding Grid Expansion with the ReelFrame
The expansion of global grid systems, however, brings with it a significant logistical challenge: the transportation of vast amounts of cable from factories to installation sites. Enter 24shore, a company that has developed an innovative solution called the ReelFrame, which is poised to revolutionize the transportation of large cable reels.
The ReelFrame is a timely innovation, arriving at a moment when transport companies are grappling with how to optimize their equipment to meet the growing demands of the energy sector. This novel solution not only addresses the logistics of cable transportation but also promises substantial environmental benefits. By reducing the need for mobile cranes during installation, the ReelFrame significantly lowers CO2 emissions—a crucial step in ensuring that the expansion of global grids is as sustainable as the energy they will carry. www.24shore.com
In a landscape where the energy transition is more urgent than ever, Hitachi Energy and 24shore are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With Grid-enSure and the ReelFrame, they are not just responding to the needs of today’s power systems but, also paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient energy future.
Source: renew & 24shore
