European super grid

A conceptual plan of a European super grid linking renewable energy projects like DESERTEC & Medgrid across North Africa, the Middle East and Europe and could serve as the backbone for the hypothetical supersmart grid.
  Existing links
  Under construction
  Proposed
See also the List of HVDC projects in Europe, which would eventually be part of European Supergrid.

The European super grid is a possible future super grid that would ultimately interconnect the various European countries and the regions around Europe's borders – including North Africa, Kazakhstan, and Turkey – with a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power grid.[1]

It is envisaged that a European super grid would:[1]

  • lower the cost of power in all participating countries by allowing the entire region to share the most efficient power plants;
  • pool load variability and power station unreliability, reducing the margin of inefficient spinning reserve and standby that have to be supplied;
  • allow for wider use of renewable energy, particularly wind energy, from the concept that "it is always windy somewhere" – in particular it tends to be windy in the summer in North Africa, and windy in the winter in Europe;
  • allow wide sharing of the total European hydro power resource, which is about 6 weeks of full load European output;
  • decrease Europe's dependence on imported fuels.

A recent study from the University College Dublin (UCD) Energy Institute indicates that implementing a pan-European 'supergrid' could lead to a 32% reduction in energy costs across the continent.[2]

  1. ^ a b Andrews, Dave (19 June 2009). "Why Do We Need The Supergrid, What Is Its Scope And What Will It Achieve?". Claverton Energy Group. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  2. ^ "Pan-European 'supergrid' could cut 32% from energy costs, says new UCD study". www.ucd.ie. Retrieved 14 February 2024.