"Flexibility in Power Systems and Power Markets - Myth or Solution?”

Moderator: Dr Francesco Lombardi

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Abstract: The Netherlands faces a significant challenge: achieving a fully CO2-free electricity sector by 2035. Currently, electricity makes up only 18% of the country's total energy consumption, with just half coming from renewable sources. To decarbonise sectors like industry, transportation, and buildings, the share of electricity will need to increase dramatically, placing an immense strain on the electricity grid.

"Flexibility" has become a popular buzzword in addressing this challenge. The electricity grid is already congested, and the situation is expected to worsen. Grid users are being encouraged to adapt their behaviour to alleviate congestion. But how exactly can flexibility be leveraged as a tool?

Renewable energy sources depend heavily on weather conditions, adding another layer of complexity to the energy market system. The market requires flexibility in both the short term (to address fluctuations in generation) and the long term (to manage periods of low wind and solar output with high electricity demand). Can the market incentivise the development of new flexible and CO2-free capacity, such as energy storage, demand response programs, and CO2-free dispatchable generation?

This lecture will explore the interplay between grid flexibility and market flexibility. Are grid operators competing with the market? Is the current power market design still suitable for this purpose?.

Bio: Paul Giesbertz is an expert in power market design, European regulations and power system operations, with 36 years of experience. He is currently working as consultant and expert for TrinSights and has worked for a TSO, a regulatory authority a market participant and an industry association. As consultant he was involved working around the globe on liberalisation. As program manager with Energie-Nederland he was heavily involved in the drafting and implementation of the national action plan grid congestion.  
He has held board positions at Baltic Cable AB and EFET, was a member of the ENTSO-E Advisory Council. He has written a series of articles on power market design issues, published on LinkedIn via the “Power Market Design Column”. He has written over 60 articles for the Dutch news service Energeia and he is affiliated the University of Groningen (faculty of economics and business).
Paul Giesbertz holds a Masters degree in power engineering TU Delft) and was awarded the Hidde Nijland Prize in 199