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Long-duration electricity storage needs for coping with Dunkelflaute events in Europe

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  • Martin Kittel
  • Alexander Roth
  • Wolf-Peter Schill

Abstract

Coping with prolonged periods of low availability of wind and solar power, also referred to as variable renewable energy droughts or "Dunkelflaute", emerges as a key challenge for realizing decarbonized energy systems based on renewable energy. Here we investigate the role of long-duration electricity storage and geographical balancing through transmission in dealing with such events in Europe, combining a time series analysis of renewable availability with power sector modeling of 35 historical weather years. We find that extreme droughts define long-duration storage operation and investment. Assuming policy-relevant interconnection, the least-cost system in our model capable of coping with the most extreme event requires 351 terawatt hours long-duration storage capacity, corresponding to 7% of yearly European electricity demand. While nuclear power can partially reduce storage needs, the storage-mitigating effect of fossil backup plants in combination with carbon removal is limited. Policymakers and system planners should prepare for a rapid expansion of long-duration storage to safeguard the renewable energy transition in Europe.

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  • Martin Kittel & Alexander Roth & Wolf-Peter Schill, 2024. "Long-duration electricity storage needs for coping with Dunkelflaute events in Europe," Papers 2411.17683, arXiv.org, revised Apr 2026.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2411.17683
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