The heat is raised by energy prices in the evening. “If there is no renewable energy, they must be replaced by more expensive conventional energy”

The first heat in the season meant that in one day energy prices increased 50 times – they donated PAP Polish electricity networks. On hot evenings, air conditioners cause an increase in power consumption, and if renewable energy does not work, they must be replaced by more expensive conventional energy.

“In hot weather, we observe a slightly increased demand for power related to, among others, air conditioning or refrigeration equipment. During the day, they are satisfied with solar farms, but after sunset the production of sufficient energy must be provided by other types of sources” – the press spokesman of Polish power networks (PSE) Maciej Wapiński said.

He emphasized that on June 30 at 12 PSE recorded a record of temporary renewable energy production, which was about 15.6 GW and satisfied about 86 percent. power demand.

PSE spokesman pointed out that However, if it does not blow enough and wind farms do not work, this role is filled mainly by coal and gas blockswhich, due to the cost of fuel and emission allowances, offer more expensive energy than in the case of renewable sources.

“This situation is reflected by the prices of electricity on the wholesale market – during the day they are relatively low, and in the evening they grow significantly. On Wednesday during the day the price on the Polish wholesale market in the cheapest hour was just over PLN 31/MWh and we were the cheapest market in the region” – noted Wapiński. He noted that there were people willing to this energy and for several hours PSE exported up to 3000 MW of power.

Wapiński announced that in the evening the price of energy throughout Europe increased – in Poland it was nearly PLN 1,600/MWh in the peak, and in Slovakia or Hungary it was even higher. “Market participants in Poland decided to buy energy from other markets – the highest temporary import was about 3400 MW” – he added. “It was not a record level of exchange – there were already days when importing or export exceeded 5000 MW” – emphasized the spokesman.

He noted that the system worked safely all the time, and the operator (PSE – PAP) had appropriate power reserves, there was no need to use any extraordinary funds.

“Such a large difference in energy prices per day should be an incentive for producers and recipients to increase flexibility. If within a few hours the price of energy changes rapidly and increases more than 50 times – it is worth increasing the demand in the cheapest hours and limiting them at the most expensive” – ​​noted Wapiński.

At the same time, he reminded that individual recipients can have been using the so -called dynamic prices. “If someone has quite high electricity consumption and is a conscious, active recipient, it is worth counting the potential benefits of such an offer” – added Wapiński.

He also referred to the impact of weather conditions on the work of the power plant. As the heat stated and the level and temperature of the water have not yet caused major defects in the system power plants. “PSE on an ongoing basis monitor hydrological conditions that may affect the work of blocks in power plants. The water level and its temperature in rivers and tanks are currently at sufficient levels for normal operation of manufacturing units” – he assessed.

Wapiński assured that currently the operator has sufficient power reserve and does not provide in the coming days the balance of balance problems resulting from the hydrological situation.

According to the data of the Ember Analytical Center, between June 28 and July 2, temperatures in some European cities exceeded 40 degrees C, in Poland they reached 37 degrees C. Wave of heat caused a significant increase in energy demand. During the peak demand – when most people used air conditioning – the power consumption was 15 percent higher. in Spain, 12 percent in France and 5 percent in Germany and Poland than just a week earlier.

As Ember calculated, during the last wave of heat, average daily electricity prices doubled or even tripled. In the period from June 24 to July 1 this year. Prices increased by 175 percent in Germany, 108 percent in France, 106 percent in Poland and 15 Pro. in Spain. During the evening summit on July 1, prices exceeded EUR 470/MWh in Poland and 400 euros/MWh in Germany.

In Poland, the installed power of coal power plants is 27,868 MW, gas 5976 MW, water 2430 MW, solar 21 618 MW, wind farms 10 852 MW. Energy demand in Poland on Friday after 13.30 amounted to 20,589 MW, and production from all sources in total 21 170 MW.

PSE is the operator of the transmission system responsible for network traffic in the power transmission system, current and long -term security of the functioning of this system, operation, maintenance and renovation, as well as the necessary expansion of the transmission network, including connections with other power systems.

The TSO's duties also include balancing the system consisting in balancing the demand for electricity with energy supply and management of system restrictions to ensure the safe functioning of the power system.

Anna Byniewska (PAP)

AB/ Drag/