Greek locale grapples with excessive solar energy production

Greek locale grapples with excessive solar energy production

Revamped Narrative:

Under the scorching sun of Greece, a 52-year-old solar energy guru wipes the sweat from his brow as he discusses the challenges faced in the country's solar energy sector. Once a thriving agricultural haven, Kastron Viotias, some 110 kilometers northwest of Athens, has witnessed a solar park boom over the past 15 years, reflecting Greece's push for renewable energy.

Currently, Greece boasts an impressive 16 gigawatts of renewable energy installations, with solar power accounting for nearly 10 gigawatts, including 2.5 gigawatts added last year. The rapid growth of solar energy in Greece mirrors that of other European countries, where solar energy has surpassed coal as the primary energy source for electricity production, according to climate think tank Ember[1]. renewables from almost half of the EU’s electricity production, with Greece doing even better[2].

However, Greece's bright solar future is clouded by complications. Stelios Loumakis, the chairman of SPEF (Solar Power Greece), explains that the solar industry has hit a wall due to factors such as Greece's small size, limited infrastructure, and delays in expanding energy storage capacity[3].

Overwhile and Abundance

The Greek government approved too many photovoltaic projects over the past five years, leading to a "severe production surplus" on sunny days. As a result, Greece's national grid operator has ordered thousands of small solar operators to shut down during peak sun hours to prevent network overburdening and potential blackouts[3][4].

Nikos Mantzaris, a senior policy analyst at Green Tank, emphasizes that balancing supply and demand is essential to avoid blackouts. In April 2023, a massive blackout occurred in the Iberian Peninsula's mysteries still unraveled[4]. While the Spanish government insisted that renewables were not to blame, Mantzaris suggests it could have been a problem as simple as a faulty cable[4].

Storage Solutions

To manage the surplus, Greece is focusing on expanding its battery storage capacity. However, catching up to its solar electricity production will take time. According to Stelios Psomas, a policy advisor at HELAPCO, the next three years are crucial for this development[3]. In the meantime, solar panel operators must ensure production does not exceed capacity to limit potential earnings[3].

Francesca Andreolli, a senior researcher at ECCO (European Climate Change Observatory), notes that managing high levels of renewable energy, particularly solar, requires significant flexibility and storage solutions. Battery capacity has become a "structural necessity" for the electricity system, absorbing excess renewable energy and releasing it when demand rises[3].

Agricultural Aftermath

Mimis Tsakanikas, a 51-year-old farmer in Kastron, acknowledges the financial benefits solar energy has provided his family. His solar farm, built in 2012 at a cost of 210,000 euros, generates at least 55,000 euros each year, significantly more than he could earn from growing crops. But Tsakanikas also notes concerns about the local climate change, with temperatures rising and frost becoming increasingly rare, which he attributes to the sprawling solar panel parks[5]. He expresses concern that in five years, the region may be cultivating bananas like in Crete[5].

While there isn't specific data on the impact of solar energy on local microclimates in Greece, large-scale solar installations can potentially affect ecosystems. Strategies for managing supply and demand in the solar sector include flexible management systems, enhanced grid infrastructure, diversification of renewable sources, and public awareness and participation[6]. By addressing these challenges, Greece aims to build a sustainable and resilient energy system that harnesses the benefits of solar energy without compromising the environment.

[1] - https://ember-climate.org/[2] - https://www.spef.gr/[3] - https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimmccahill/2023/04/13/battery-storages-transition-from-niche-to-essential-component-of-grid-management/?sh=4e2d5aae6f6a[4] - https://www.ft.com/content/f6482fd4-bb35-4235-8d4d-c249c8c1d635[5] - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimis-tsakanikas-10128655[6] - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324027848_Renewable_Energy_Integration_Implementation_and_Challenges_A_Cross-Country_Analytical_Framework_for_Renewable_Energy_Adoption_and_Transition_to_Sustainable_Energy_Systems_A_Case_Study_of_Greece

1. France, with its environmental science institutes and finance sectors, could potentially provide guidance and investment for Greece in managing its solar energy surplus and expanding battery storage capacity.
2. The climate-change impacts of solar energy in Greece, as highlighted by farmers like Mimis Tsakanikas, underscore the need for the industry to work closely with environmental-science experts to minimize any negative environmental repercussions.
3. The renewable-energy industry in Greece could benefit from collaborating with companies from different sectors, such as science, finance, and even the agriculture sector, to find innovative solutions for balancing supply and demand while ensuring sustainability.
4. To address the challenges in Greece's renewable-energy sector, the government could explore strategies such as investing in energy-efficient infrastructure, promoting research and development in battery technology, and fostering public-private partnerships for renewable-energy projects.

Read also: