Role of electric flexibility in the future French grid with high renewable integration

Abstract: The operation of electric grids depends on the balance between the electric generation and the demand. In France, the Transmission System Operator, RTE, is responsible for the stability and the security of the grid. Today, the electric generation follows the variations of the demand. However, environmental concerns prompt to develop new strategies and policies for Energy Transition. The development of Smart Grids, the uncertain future of nuclear generation, the massive integration of renewable sources are the focus of those. Furthermore, renewable energies generation is intermittent and can not be controlled. The current strategy for the balance between generation and demand is challenged. The electric grid has to be readjusted by adding more electric flexibility to ensure its stability. The electric flexibility is usually associated to storage technologies as batteries or pumping stations. A state of art review is used to define this notion and to evaluate the technological and economic maturity of different electric flexibility vectors. The following report is based on a selection of prospective scenarios, development plans already launched in France, proposing a significant share of renewable energies in a future energy mix and current French energy data. Two studies were carried out : one at a regional level, for Bretagne and one at national level for France. An evaluation at 2050 is carried out to determine the load factors of intermittent energies, consumption and residual demand in Bretagne. On the basis of these prospective estimates, a need for electric flexibility can be determined for the Bretagne region. This first study highlights an issue related to future needs for electric flexibility. However, since the balance between production and consumption is achieved at a national level, a second study on France is necessary. The French need for electric flexibility is then estimated through a linear optimization that evaluates the energy production required to achieve a generation/consumption balance taking into account energy sources merit order.