This week I had the pleasure to visit the International Solar Energy Center (ISEC) in Lanzhou in Gansu and give a presentation ath the 9th International Summit on Solar and Wind Energy in Western China. The presentation gives a short overview of flexible energy systems and the latest development in trans-national grid planning in Europe.

The main messages are

1. Flexible thermal power plant and flexible operation of the electricity and heating systems are key to integration of fluctuating wind and solar energy
2. Institutional and economical barriers are serious challenges for a flexible energy system in China
3. European experiences from the use of visions, scenarios and market studies before more detailed assessment of new grid project could be transferred to a Chinese context
4. The challenges regarding grid planning and grid development in Europe and China are quite similar and mutual exchange of experience and solution would be benificial.

Find the presentation here: RE_integration_July_2012