Discussion papers on storage and undergrounding launched at workshop on "The role of grids in delivering National Energy and Climate Plans"

Published 29 October 2019

Rome, 29 October 2019 – The Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) today released two discussion papers “Energy storage – Perspectives from California and Europe” and “Partial undergrounding for extra-high voltage AC connections”. The papers focusing on solutions for the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) were presented at the workshop “The role of grid infrastructure in delivering the objectives of the National Energy and Climate Plans”, co-hosted by RGI, Italian transmission system operator (TSO) Terna and the Italian environmental NGO Legambiente.

RGI Members and the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) jointly developed the paper on storage to draw the attention on the essential role storage can play in delivering flexibility to the system to accommodate rapidly growing shares of RES, thereby supporting and sustaining a major pillar of the energy transition.

Partial undergrounding is an important technological option that needs to be carefully considered when building new extra-high voltage lines. Developed under the RGI umbrella, the discussion paper on partial undergrounding provides an overview of systemic, environmental, social and financial aspects. As there is limited experience with extra-high voltage alternating current (AC) undergrounding, a better understanding of the technology is essential to adequately respond to citizens’ requests on when this option is suitable and feasible.

Technological options provided by storage and partial undergrounding are important elements to speed up RES deployment and integration while maintaining a reliable system, protecting nature and adequately considering the concerns of citizens.

Antonella Battaglini

Chief Executive Officer

We need to increase the targets and the development of renewables to fight climate change. In order to do this, it is very important to focus on the ongoing innovation regarding grids deployment and storage. Today’s workshop is an important step for the collaboration between different stakeholders, sharing experiences and visions about the energy transition in Europe and in US.

Edoardo Zanchini

Vice President, Legambiente

Investing in a sustainable development of the electricity grids and promoting innovation, research, smart solutions and new resources for grid flexibility, such as storage, are fundamental at this stage in the energy transition process towards an increasingly interconnected, decarbonised and renewable system. But the energy transition, on the other hand, involves also tremendous changes, as far as the topology and impact of the grid are concerned. In fact, a significant deal of Terna’s new lines will be built using underground cables, as a demonstration of the ever growing attention we pay to stakeholders and the territory.

Luigi Michi

Head of Strategy, Development and System Operation, Terna