ISSUE 4 December 2012
Regional Focus
However, district heating has not always been present in Denmark and its district heating
systems were mostly built decades ago. Since then, massive technological innovations have
made district heating networks both better and cheaper than when the average Danish system was built. Thus, it would be considerably
cheaper for Germany, UK, France, etc. to build district heating/cooling systems than it was
for Denmark decades ago, and such systems
can be used both as infrastructure for variable renewable energy and for geothermal energy. Furthermore, wind turbine producers should in parallel with further development of wind
turbines, increase collaboration with companies dealing with the development of smart energy systems, and also participate in the design of
policies supporting the development of smart energy systems.
4. Local integration first, long distance
grid systems next. We are not proposing 100% local integration via smart energy systems,
and there still is a need for building new grid
systems. However, the sequence of investment has to be subjected to a subsidiarity principle, where local integration of wind power should be developed and implemented first; once
this is done, the investments in grid systems
should be implemented based on calculations
of the real need for expansion of these systems. Today, the investment procedure seems to be
the other way around, which is wrong from an
investment optimization point of view, and also results in resistance to what people rightfully could call unnecessary power lines, again
resulting in delays in both necessary power lines and investment in wind parks.
In the present situation it is important to
not just wait for better times, but to develop ideas and policies that can support the next phases of wind power development.
This article does not claim to have found
↑Horns Rev Wind Farm in Denmark. (Source: Vestas)
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