CurrENT Grid Compass
Power losses
This map is a visualisation of the total power losses at both transmission and distribution electrical grids, where total losses are presented as a GWh, measuring the difference between injected energy over energy taken off the grid. A lower GWh indicates a better score with less line losses (light blue colouring). Levels of losses will differ due to which methodology NRAs use.
All countries
Methodology and calculation results
How are countries categorised in this map?
The countries are divided into 10 different groups in order to provide a clearer distinction between countries on the scale shown. This scale was devised internally by CurrENT Europe. The country groups are as follows:
- 0 – 100 GWh
- 100 – 250 GWh
- 250 – 750 GWh
- 750 – 1500 GWh
- 1500 – 2500 GWh
- 2500 – 3750 GWh
- 3750 – 5500 GWh
- 5500 – 7500 GWh
- 7500 – 10000 GWh
- >10000 GWh
What specific indicators does the CurrENT Grid Compass focus on?
The CurrENT Grid Compass evaluates grid performance based on the following key indicator:
- Costs of efficient, secure, and stable operations: based on the costs for redispatch costs and volumes.
- Total level of line losses across transmission and distribution systems: based on the differences between injected energy onto the system and energy taken off the grid
The KPIs are calculated by summing up the results of a subset of indicators. See CurrENT’s Grid Compass Costs of efficient, secure, and stable operations.
How are line losses calculated?
This map presents data from CEER’s 3rd report on Power Losses, where the the results are obtained from CEER Member countries. This report uses the same methodology as the 2nd CEER report on power losses, which states that “the majority of respondents determine losses in their countries by subtracting electricity withdrawals (by final customers and other networks) from electricity injections (from generation and other networks)”. It further states that “total injections in any given country consist of injections in transmission in addition to those by generation connected to distribution. This approach ensures that no energy was counted twice and that the calculated percentages portray the accurate values in each country.”
However, different NRAs and Member countries have different ways of measuring losses. For more details on these methodologies, see the CEER report here.
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About this map
Using data from CEER’s 3rd annual report on power losses, CurrENT has presented the results in an interactive format. This map is a visualization for how much energy is lost between energy injection and the amount of energy taken off the grid, measured by Gigawatt Hour, where the losses are calculated for both transmission and distribution levels. When losses are low the relative grid zone is performing well, indicated by light blue colouring. Conversely, if a grid zone has high losses, indicated by dark blue colouring, this indicates poor performance. Losses of individual countries are reflective of the methodologies used, which may differ from country to country.
As Europe looks to drastically increase electrification levels up to 2050, energy waste in the form of line losses is a huge problem that needs to be addressed. Line losses increase the end price for energy, which is ultimately passed on to consumers. Optimising and improving infrastructure to reduce losses will be vital to achieving the commitments laid out in the Affordable Energy Action Plan. When evaluating technologies to improve grid efficiency in the short-term, such as reconductoring existing lines, or expanding the grid to accommodate for increasing amounts of RES and electrification, reducing line losses should be a key criterion for investments in the types of technology used.
CurrENT highlighted in their study with Compass Lexecon, ‘Prospects for innovative power grid technologies’, that innovative grid technologies, such as advanced conductors and high temperature superconductors can massively reduce line losses. Reconductoring existing lines with advanced conductors offers quick and cost-effective solution to increase capacity and can reduce line losses by up to 30%. When further building out grid infrastructure, deploying high temperature super conductors can reduce power losses by up to 90% compared with conventional conductors, finds Nexans study on high temperature superconductors.
The widescale deployment of innovative grid technologies is essential to ensure that Europe is able to maximise the use of the energy it generates, reducing the end cost for consumers, and facilitating the mass uptake of renewables.
For further details on how this map has been calculated, please consult the Methodology section.
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