Technological Solutions for Renewable Energy in the Western Balkans
This project component focuses on familiarising grid operators and, to a lesser extent, national ministries with solutions for handling large shares of variable RE. This will be achieved primarily through training and workshops, for example on renewable energy generation forecasting.
- Jointly shaping and training of Western Balkans grid operators on technological innovations and good practices for dealing with increasing shares of RE (including generation/capacity forecasting, digitalization and flexibility options, dispatching, grid analysis and grid expansion planning).
- Enhancing Western Balkans grid operators' capacities on good practices for communication & coordination between distribution and transmission grids operators
- Skilling-up Western Balkans grid operators abilities for creating viable business models for dealing with prosumers, administrative handling of a variety of grid connection issues, and the implications of decentralized consumption/generation such as electromobility/charging
- Raise joint awareness of grid operators or ministries responsible for energy in the Western Balkan countries on good practices regarding integration of RE expansion planning and land use planning, as well as options for repurposing the existing grid infrastructure for RE integration
Objectives
A total of 4 four solutions for the grid integration of high proportions of RE were analysed by network operators or ministries responsible for energy from 4 Western Balkan countries in regional exchanges.
Main Activities
- Regional exchange between regulators and ministries responsible for energy on good practice examples for efficient approval, ad-ministration and data management processes for the expansion and operation of RE
- Working-out options for the establishment of grid stability criteria, grid codes for the mass expansion of PV at distribution network level by prosumers and energy communities
Expected Impacts
- Key actors in the electricity sector are familiar with solu-tions for the grid integration of high proportions of renewable energy
- Key actors in the electricity sector are familiar with options to shape conducive framework conditions for the transition to renewable energies in the Western Balkans.
Project Deliverables - Reports and Publications
Energy Transition Phases in Western Balkan Countries
Energy Transition Phases in WB countries
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the energy transition status in the Western Balkans, combining historical data, conference insights from November 2023, and stakeholder input to assess each country's progress.
The report is structured as follows:
- Introduction and data review
- Definition of energy transition phases and their characteristics
- Current electricity infrastructure in WB countries and its relation to their energy transition stage
- Summary of the project presentation conference proceedings
- Analysis of priority topics, needs, and proposals identified by WB partners (ministries, national regulatory authorities, transmission system operators, and distribution system operators)
- Identification of the current energy transition phase for each WB country
You can download the report in three different languages:
- Fazat e Tranzicionit Energjetik (Albanian language)
- Faze energetske tranzicije (Bosnian language)
- Фази на енергетска транзиција (Macedonian language)
Grid Flexibility in the Western Balkans
Grid Flexibility in the Western Balkans - Technical Report
This report briefly describes all aspects of the use of flexibility services. At the beginning, the reasons for using flexibility services are explained and a definition is given: Grid flexibility refers to the ability of the electricity grid to respond efficiently and reliably to changes in electricity demand and supply. The flexibility services for TSOs and DSOs were further evaluated in detail, with basic instructions for the development of harmonised products. An overview of the processes in the flexibility chain is presented and different flexibility market mechanisms are described. In the end, it will be understood that although grid flexibility brings numerous advantages, it also entails certain costs. We recommend that distribution system operators in the WB region approach flexibility services by “learning by doing” and develop these new, unavoidable processes through simple, cost-effective solutions, such as the definition of simple flexibility products and bilateral agreements. These processes should be included in their plans and roadmaps.
