Electrical engineering

Physics

Pathology

Sociology

Business

German

Archaeology

Mains electricity

Disease

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Consumption (sociology)

Social science

Infectious disease (medical specialty)

Electricity retailing

Pandemic

Engineering

Environmental economics

Voltage

Electricity market

Management

Economics

Power (physics)

Geography

Renewable energy

Electricity

Flexibility (engineering)

Quantum mechanics

Electricity system

Electricity generation

Medicine

Applied Energy

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to decreases in electricity demand and a rising share of Renewable Energy Sources in various countries. In Germany, the average proportion of net electricity generation via Renewable Energy Sources rose above 55 % in the first half of 2020, as compared to 47 % for the same period in 2019. Given these altered circumstances, in this paper we analyze how the German and other European electricity systems behaved during the COVID-19 pandemic. We use data visualization and descriptive statistics to evaluate common figures for electricity systems and markets, comparing developments during the COVID-19 pandemic with those of previous years. Our evaluation reveals noticeable changes in electricity consumption, generation, prices, and imports/exports. However, concerning grid stability and ancillary services, we do not observe any irregularities. Discussing the role of various flexibility options during the COVID-19 pandemic, a relatively higher grid capacity resulting from a decreased electricity consumption, in particular, may have contributed to grid stability.

How did the German and other European electricity systems react to the COVID-19 pandemic?