Stable energy from intermittent wind: the experience of Denmark

Denmark holds the record for wind energy production per capita. Now wind power plants provide more than half of all needs for electricity and this share is growing literally every day.

By 2030, the country intends to fully cover domestic needs through renewable energy sources. Although the Danish Energy Agency predicts that this will happen even earlier – approximately by 2027. After achieving this goal, the country will move into the category of net exporters of “green” electricity.

Let us remind you that this system is based on so called “unstable” wind energy. According to Ukrainian government officials, renewable energy is perhaps the main cause of all the troubles in the energy sector. But in Denmark, no one sees this as a problem, on the contrary – as a great potential for the country. What’s the secret?

Wind energy was chosen as a national priority in the 1980s. After the oil crisis of 1979 (the revolution in Iran caused problems with fuel supply), it became clear that the country could not be completely dependent on imported fuel. It was decided to gradually abandon petroleum products and coal. Moreover, after the Chernobyl disaster, the country also decided to abandon nuclear power plants.

The government chose wind as direction for implementation. In order for the sector to develop faster, the government decision was to attract as many people as possible and stimulate the development of energy cooperatives.

The state has simplified the conditions for the establishment and operation of the WPP as much as possible. As a result, more than 75% of wind turbines were installed by cooperatives. Now more than a hundred thousand families are involved in such unions.

In addition, the state attracts international companies and encourages the emergence of large-scale projects. Several large wind farms are already operating in the North Sea, and two power islands with a total capacity of 5 GW will soon be built.

These energy islands will not only produce electricity – technologies for storing energy or converting it into “green” fuel (“Power-to-X”) are immediately provided.

So, somebody who has a willingness to create and make something looks for opportunities; and somebody who doesn’t have such eagerness – finds reasons. In Ukraine, unfortunately, mostly the latter option works.