Is the UK's Energy Grid Ready for the Surge in EVs & Renewables?

Whether it’s not enough lithium or the dependence on fossil-derived fuels, there seem to be multiple factors preventing the green energy transformation that the world desperately needs. Now, a new report has shed light on the electrical grid and how it may not be suitable for future energy needs as a result of EVs and heat pumps. What challenges do these new renewable technologies introduce, what impact would this have on the electric grid, and are there alternative solutions?

What challenges do renewable technologies introduce?

Regardless of what side of the fence you sit on, there is clear scientific evidence that the levels of CO2 in the atmosphere have rapidly increased over the past century, the average temperature is increasing, and sea levels are rising. The overwhelming census in the scientific community is that all of these changes result from human activities, clearing large amounts of land and burning fossil fuels, and if these actions are not halted, the global climate will suffer. 

On the flip side, there are those that believe the increasing CO2 levels could actually be a benefit to the environment as plant life can grow bigger and stronger. Furthermore, the world has become greener over the past few decades (supporting evidence that CO2 has improved plant life), and world tree populations have hit an all-time high due to mass industrial activities. But that doesn’t stop crucial ecosystems such as those found in the Amazon from being destroyed, nor does it help the situation with dwindling fossil resources such as oil and gas. 

If the environmental factors are ignored entirely, and the situation with fossil fuels is looked at through the lens of economics and society, the argument against their use still holds true. As fossil fuels are a finite energy source, they will eventually run out, and having society dependent on an energy source that isn’t renewable just doesn’t make any sense. Secondly, as fossil fuels emit large quantities of particulates, they are categorically bad for health.

But for all the benefits that renewable energy sources and technologies present, they face their own issues. In the case of solar panels and wind farms, the lack of reliable energy means that renewable energy production rarely matches demand, meaning that secondary fossil-fuel energies are required. With regards to EVs, the challenges involved with mining and extracting lithium not only make EVs expensive but there may not be enough lithium on the planet to entirely replace standard vehicles.

Heat pumps are another technology slowly making their way into homes providing a more environmentally friendly method for heating and cooling. Instead of burning fuel for heat, a heat pump utilises a compressor powered by electricity to move heat from one location to another, and these systems can do so very efficiently. Furthermore, as heat pumps can work in reverse, they are able to both heat and cool a home.

However, heat pumps have been demonstrated to be extraordinarily expensive, and their reliance on electricity can make them very expensive to run (now that electricity prices have dramatically risen). This reliance on electricity is also problematic as most energy is generated from fossil fuels, meaning that fossil fuels are still being relied upon, yielding no environmental benefit.

A new problem arises – energy grid capacities

So far, most criticism of renewable technologies such as EVs and heat pumps has been around their dependency on electricity and how that electricity is generated. However, a new concern has started to surface that may introduce its own issues; electric grid cabling.

Currently, most homes in the UK have dual fuel sources, typically being electricity and gas/oil. Electricity is used to power home appliances, while oil and gas are used for heating. But, if oil and gas are replaced with heat pumps, then homes will only require a source of electricity. 

While this eliminates the need for gas distribution and moves fuel consumption to a power station which can generate energy far more efficiently, the energy demand from homes would be significantly increased. According to Ofgem^[1], a typical 2-3 bedroom home uses 12,000 kWh of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity per year, and if this gas is replaced with a heat pump (with a COP of 3), a home would see its electricity consumption increase to 7,000 kWh. It should be stated that this figure doesn’t take into account cooking, nor does it consider the efficiency of gas heating.

Combined with the addition of EVs, the result of this increased electricity consumption is a significantly higher demand for cabling, and while this may not be an issue for individual homes, the entirety of the national grid has been designed to handle homes utilising non-electric heating and internal combustion engines. This means that portions of electrical cabling will need to be upgraded to account for this additional current consumption.

The scale of this challenge is immense. As the CEO of National Grid pointed out in an interview with the BBC, "We will need to build about seven times as much infrastructure in the next seven or eight years than we built in the last 32."^[3]

This is not a small undertaking. As reported by The Telegraph^[2], achieving net-zero goals will require the installation of hundreds of miles of cables, a significant infrastructure project that will have its own environmental and societal impacts.

If these changes are not introduced, higher currents will heat up due to thermal losses, thereby reducing the efficiency of energy transmission. To make matters worse, if losses in cables increase, power stations will be forced to burn more fuel, thereby worsening CO2 emissions and defeating the purpose of renewables. 

Are there alternatives to this energy distribution challenge?

Of all the solutions that could be deployed, there are two that present themselves as being the most viable. 

The first is to localise energy generation as much as possible, with the use of solar panels on roofs and car parks and small-scale wind turbines closer to towns. By reducing the distance between energy generation and usage, cable losses can be minimised, and the use of local energy generation alleviates the load on country-wide cable networks.

Unfortunately, this method could be highly unpopular as the infrastructure used to generate energy would need to be located close to residential areas. Furthermore, small-scale setups are never as cost-efficient as a centralised solution, meaning that such a setup would be far more expensive.

The second solution could be hydrogen fuel. Simply put, EVs based on hydrogen fuel cells and boilers in homes burning hydrogen could eliminate the demand on electric networks. Not only does hydrogen offer faster charging times for EVs, but it has a far higher fuel density, meaning that it can give a greater range for vehicles. Furthermore, many existing gas networks are able to take hydrogen, and only the boiler in the home needs to be changed. This could be far more economical than trying to improve existing electrical grids. 

However, as with any solution, it's important to exercise caution. As discussed in a previous Electropages post, the environmental impact of hydrogen depends heavily on how it's produced. Green hydrogen, produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, is the most environmentally friendly option, but it's not the only type of hydrogen being considered. Blue hydrogen, produced from natural gas with carbon capture and storage, could also play a role, but it's not as clean as green hydrogen. Therefore, while hydrogen could be part of the solution, it's not a silver bullet and needs to be considered as part of a broader energy strategy.

As we explore these alternative solutions, it's important to remember that the broader context of this discussion is the ongoing global shift towards green technology. This shift is not just about individual technologies like EVs or heat pumps but a comprehensive approach to sustainability that encompasses a wide range of innovations. From LED lighting and solar panels to composting and programmable thermostats, green technology is reshaping our world in profound ways. To learn more about the breadth and depth of this revolution, check out this comprehensive overview of green technology on Electropages.

Overall, the energy demand on electrical grids will only continue to increase, and if engineers don’t address this challenge soon, it is possible that future energy grids will suffer from reliability issues.

In conclusion, the transition to green technology is a complex process that involves not only the adoption of new technologies but also the rethinking of our existing infrastructure. It's a challenge that will require innovative solutions, careful planning, and a commitment to sustainability.

References

1. "Average gas and electricity use explained", Ofgem.
2. "Pylons forced on public for net zero goal", The Telegraph, July 2023.
3. "Net zero goals will require installation of hundreds of miles of cables", The Telegraph, November 2022.