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

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  • Halbrügge, Stephanie
  • Schott, Paul
  • Weibelzahl, Martin
  • Buhl, Hans Ulrich
  • Fridgen, Gilbert
  • Schöpf, Michael

Abstract

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 flexibility 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.

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  • Halbrügge, Stephanie & Schott, Paul & Weibelzahl, Martin & Buhl, Hans Ulrich & Fridgen, Gilbert & Schöpf, Michael, 2021. "How did the German and other European electricity systems react to the COVID-19 pandemic?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:285:y:2021:i:c:s0306261920317475
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116370
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