Climate change and more demanding consumers, increase the need for new investments in the power grid

摘要

In the next years, we will have a clear change in the requirements to the power grid. Higher power consumption due to behavioural change among consumers and stricter requests for secure and stable power supply, are some of the reasons, but climate change is also a crucial factor in this context. Strong wind, intense rainfalls, floods, rapid changes in temperature, and increasing amount of snow-and landslides, have highlighted the vulnerability of the electricity system and the importance of a strong grid with sufficient reserve capacity. In parallel, it is a growing interest for electric cars and rechargeable hybrid cars. In Norway, the electric car park represents almost 3% of the passenger car fleet, and over half of the population say they prefer an electric car or rechargeable hybrid car next time they are going to buy a car [1]. This will certainly affect the capacity in the power grid. At the same time, escalating production of renewable electricity will increase the need for upgrading of the power grid. To qualify for financial support through the electricity certificate system, this new renewable electricity production has to connect to the power grid before the end of 2021. This paper is based on the experiences from the Norwegian market, and describes the situation from a consumer perspective. Norwegian consumers have tradition for reliable and stable power supply. Power outages are rare, and their duration marginal. However, over the last years more frequent and extensive extreme weather has been more common in Norway. This has affected the grid companies' security of supply, which in turn has led to more frequent and lengthier power outages for the consumers. This paper discuss what this means for the grid companies in relation to the consumers: 1. What is the effect of power outages on the consumers' attitudes to their own grid company? 2. When power outages occur, what is most crucial for the consumers, the outage in itself, lack of information about the situation, or the consequences of the outage for the consumers? 3. What can grid companies do to diminish the negative effect of power outages? Answers to these questions will provide the grid companies with insight in the importance of secure and stable power supply, and the reputational value of development and reinforcement of the power grid, responsiveness through injury and well working information routines.