Smart Energy

Half of Europe’s family homes could be energy self-sufficient with solar and storage

Published by

Just over half of Europe’s single family homes could technically be fully energy self-sufficient with a combination of solar energy and storage systems, according to a report by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

Already today, 53 percent of about 41 million buildings included in the analysis could theoretically go off-grid and have a fully self-sufficient supply of electricity and heat using only local rooftop solar irradiation, the report authors concluded based on calculations combining geographical information on the European building stock with local climatic and economic conditions.

The potential for self-sufficiency was highest in places like Spain, where climatic conditions are favourable, and for example in Germany, where fees are comparatively high, the authors wrote.

A combination of solar systems (photovoltaics and solar thermal), retrofitting, various energy storage systems (such as seasonal hydrogen storage), and heat pumps could be used to fully cover energy demand for space heating and cooling, hot water, lighting, and cooking, the report found.

Increasing self-sufficiency could make sense in a future with more decentralised electricity generation – as organisational and regulatory complexities increase with increasing system size – and with heat typically not being transported over long distances, the report concluded.

Still, referring to the expected development of energy costs, author Max Kleinebrahm told news agency dpa that he sees no economic advantage for fully self-sufficient households: “Even in 2050, disconnecting from the power grid will not be the most economically advantageous decision.”

Generally, investing in complete energy self-sufficiency makes sense for homeowners ready to pay a premium for this independence, according to the report.

“If building owners are willing to pay a premium of up to 50 percent, two million buildings could abandon the grid by 2050,” it concluded.

Clean Energy Wire. Reproduced with permission.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Energy Insiders Podcast: Getting the best out of the grid

Energy expert Gabrielle Kuiper on getting the best out of distributed energy resources in the…

29 November 2024

Australian homes could slash energy bills by two thirds by cutting out gas and petrol, AEMC says

Australian households could lower their bills by over two thirds if they fully electrify their…

29 November 2024

In the end, the only blackouts were in the media headlines: But there has to be a better way to do this

Blackout featured prominently in media headlines this week, but not on the grid. But as…

29 November 2024

Trina submits approval for Victoria big battery, as locals campaign against solar and storage projects

Trinasolar and Mint Renewables have now both lodged planning applications for neighbouring big batteries in…

29 November 2024

Australia to reshape manufacturing base as Greens deal excludes fossil fuels from flagship industry policy

Greens make last minute commitment to vote for $22 billion Future Made in Australia policy…

29 November 2024

Andrew Forrest seeks green tick for another wind and battery project as Clarke Creek powers up

Andrew Forrest's Squadron Energy seeks green tick for new wind and battery project in NSW…

29 November 2024