Electricity grids, originally designed for one-way power flow are not prepared for such a dynamic and bidirectional environment. As a result, we are seeing issues like overloading, voltage fluctuations, and other disturbances that threaten the reliability of electricity supply. While increased consumption can still be addressed through investments in new infrastructure, surplus production—such as on sunny days when everyone produces more than they consume—cannot be effectively tackled with traditional solutions. What we need is a new approach to energy management: flexibility.
Grid flexibility – The foundation of modern energy systems
With the increasing share of renewable sources and the integration of large consumers, loads are shifting to distribution grids originally designed only for one-way power flow—from the source to the consumer. Today, those consumers are also becoming producers. For example, the total capacity of solar power plants is already comparable to that of traditional power sources.
This transformation requires new understanding and new tools. A key concept that enables the balance between consumption and production in real time is flexibility—the system’s ability to quickly adapt to changes and maintain operational reliability.
Grid flexibility refers to the ability to adjust energy consumption or production in real time based on the current network status. This allows the system to operate more efficiently without the need for additional investments. However, flexibility is not just about reducing consumption—it also involves shifting consumption over time (e.g., charging an electric vehicle at night instead of in the afternoon), adapting production, using batteries, and implementing advanced management systems.
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