Making renewable energy work in real life
31-03-25
Imagine having solar panels on your rooftop or a wind farm nearby. How does the energy generated reach homes, schools and businesses? Integrating renewable energy into power systems presents complex challenges, especially when a significant amount of the electricity is generated from wind and solar sources.
By Elena Adamo
Denmark has made remarkable advances in the application of renewable energy, with wind and solar power contributing 63% of its electricity consumption in 2023. At the heart of this success is Energinet, Denmark’s Transmission System Operator (TSO). It plays a crucial role in ensuring a stable and secure electricity supply and integrating renewable energy into the grid.
In March 2025, Danida fellows came to Denmark to take part in Danida Fellowship Centre’s learning programme “Renewable Energy Integration in Power Systems” that was facilitated by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). They came to get a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that the integration of renewables presents. The participants were from eight countries, (Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa and Vietnam), and they worked in both governmental and non-governmental institutions that were involved with the Strategic Sector Cooperation programme supported by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in one way or the other. During the three-week programme, the participants explored key topics such as renewable energy technologies, grid models, tools and standards as well as energy planning, forecasting and power markets – all essential knowledge for implementing clean energy solutions in practice.
A highlight of their programme was a visit to Energinet, that operate and develop the transmission systems for electricity and gas in Denmark and also manages international energy connections. The visit provided participants with first-hand insight into how Denmark operates a power system with a high share of renewable energy. By engaging with experts, they connected their classroom learning at DTU with real-world energy planning and operations.
Would you like to hear more directly from the participants themselves? Watch these videos to hear their key takeaways from the visit to Energinet:
Ms Zuzeka Njoku, National Energy Regulator of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Mr Dhandis Rito Jintaka, Pln, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Mr Reuben Thabang Mabeo, Csir, Pretoria, South Africa
Mr Allan Mogoi Gisanga, Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nairobi, Kenya
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