How did the German and other European electricity systems react to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Title data

Halbrügge, Stephanie ; Schott, Paul ; Weibelzahl, Martin ; Buhl, Hans Ulrich ; Fridgen, Gilbert:
How did the German and other European electricity systems react to the COVID-19 pandemic?
In: Applied Energy. Vol. 285 (2021) . - 116370.
ISSN 1872-9118
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116370

Project information

Abstract in another language

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to decreases in electricity demand and a rising share of renewable energy sources in various countries. In Germany, the average proportion of net electricity generation via renewable energy sources rose above 55% in the first half of 2020, as compared to 47% for the same period
in 2019. Given these altered circumstances, in this paper we analyze how the German and other European electricity systems behaved during the COVID-19 pandemic. We use data visualization and descriptive statistics to evaluate common figures for electricity systems and markets, comparing developments during the COVID-19 pandemic with those of previous years. Our evaluation reveals noticeable changes in electricity consumption, generation, prices, and imports/exports. However, concerning grid stability and ancillary services, we do not observe any irregularities. Discussing the role of various exibility options during the COVID-19 pandemic, a relatively higher grid capacity resulting from a decreased electricity consumption, in particular, may have contributed to grid stability.