Let's FLEX

As we soon enter a new EU mandate, and as we implement the EU Grids Action Plan, we need to make sure the regulatory framework is flexibility-proof – this means making sure flexibility is integrated into the network plan. For example, when we install electric devices, and when we operate them.   

What is flexibility? 

Flexibility is the ability of a consumer, electricity generator, or any other technology (like storage) to adjust how they feed in electricity to the grid,, or consume electricity from the grid in response to grid needs or solar availability. Flexibility means less investment is needed for slow-to-build grid infrastructure. We also need to focus on the efficient and smart operation of grids with smart electrified resources. 

In real life that looks like a solar power plant coupled with battery storage, or a smart charging station that charges a car when rooftop solar PV is producing abundantly.  

While we need to ramp up battery and heat storage, we should ensure flexibility from the demand side too. We can follow the example of nuclear countries who employ flexibility from the demand side to manage inherently inflexible nuclear production. Since it’s hard to switch nuclear on and off, consumers are encouraged to spread out their demand for electricity.  ‘Time-of-Use’ tariffs make it cheaper to use nuclear electricity at night, incentivising electricity consumption at night, when demand is typically lower. 

We can promote flexibility by: 

• Mapping the EU’s flexibility needs by 2025 and developing price signal frameworks to use the flexibility potential.
• Making it easier to hybridise solar (plus wind and/or storage) projects  
• Making the energy system flexibility-ready by accelerating the smart building roll-out 

Why do we need flexibility? 

The way we look at energy is changing.  We’re burning less fossil fuels at centralised power plants, and relying more on clean electricity distributed from different sources, like solar and wind farms, or local rooftops.  At the same time, electricity use is increasing – like e-vehicles and heating. The share of electricity in Europe’s final energy consumption will double from 25% today to about 50% in 2040 according to the European Commission. 

Flexibility helps our grids to adapt quickly to the energy transition, while we wait for infrastructure to catch up. In simple terms, flexibility allows us to do more with less, achieving decarbonisation as efficiently as possible. 

We need to double our flexibility capacity by 2030 according to the Joint Research Center (JRC), yet we're falling short!