Energy systems in Europe and around the world are undergoing a green transition - a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. When discussing renewables, most people think of wind and solar power, which indeed represent the largest share of renewable energy production. In some European countries, these sources can contribute more than 50% of total electricity generation in some time periods.
However, wind and solar have a critical characteristic that poses significant challenges for energy systems: they are intermittent. This means that grids with a high share of wind or solar generation require flexible assets to compensate for power shortages during periods of low wind or sunlight. While traditional flexible assets, such as those powered by fossil fuels, can meet this need, their use contradicts zero-carbon goals.
