The Czech Republic’s transmission system operator, ČEPS, has disconnected hundreds of solar power plants from the grid for two hours on Easter Monday due to low power demand caused by the holiday. The move was the first of its kind since the solar power plants were integrated into the grid. The resulting fluctuations in the power grid prompted ČEPS to activate its contingency plan, which resulted in the plants being shut down. Owners of the disconnected power plants are expected to receive compensation, which could amount to millions of crowns.

ČEPS spokesman Lukáš Hrabal said the company had to resort to its contingency plan after exhausting all available operational measures to manage the power grid. Further restrictions in the future cannot be ruled out, but they will likely be used only in unique situations where several unfavorable factors coincide. The imbalance between power production and consumption can be managed with standard tools and reserves from abroad.

Jan Krčmář, executive director of the Solar Association, said that a combination of factors caused the Easter Monday incident. He noted that it was the most beautiful day of the year, but power demand was low. According to Krčmář, ČEPS responded to extreme electricity surpluses on the market at the time. He added that the development of energy storage is necessary as new renewable energy sources are introduced.

The incident highlights the challenges of integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid. Solar and wind power are dependent on weather conditions, which can lead to fluctuations in power supply. The development of energy storage technologies such as batteries can help balance the power grid and ensure a stable power supply.

The Czech Republic has set ambitious renewable energy targets, aiming for 22% of its energy mix to come from renewable sources by 2030. The country has made significant progress in increasing its renewable energy capacity, with solar power accounting for around 10% of the country’s electricity generation capacity. However, the incident shows that more work needs to be done to ensure the stability of the power grid as more renewable energy sources are integrated into the system.

Article by Prague Forum