Towards fully renewable energy systems: Experience and trends in Denmark

Abstract

Deployment of renewable energy generation capacities and integration of their power production into existing power systems has become a global trend throughout the world, with a common set of operational challenges stemming from variability and limited predictability of power generation from, e.g., wind and solar. Denmark is a country that invested early in wind energy, rapidly proposing very ambitious goals for the future of its energy system and global energy usage. While the case of Denmark is specific due to its limited size and good interconnections, there may still be a lot to learn from the way operational practice has evolved, also shifting towards a liberalized electricity market environment, and more generally going along with other technological and societal evolution. Our aim here is to give an overview of recent and current initiatives in Denmark which contribute towards a goal of reaching a fully renewable energy system.