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Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Energy Systems and Electric Power Grids—A Review of the Challenges Ahead

Author

Listed:
  • Aviad Navon

    (Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, The Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Haifa 3200003, Israel)

  • Ram Machlev

    (Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, The Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Haifa 3200003, Israel)

  • David Carmon

    (Israel Electric Corporation, Adi 1794000, Israel)

  • Abiodun Emmanuel Onile

    (The Department of Software Science, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia Tee 15a, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Juri Belikov

    (The Department of Software Science, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia Tee 15a, 12618 Tallinn, Estonia)

  • Yoash Levron

    (Technion—Israel Institute of Technology, The Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Haifa 3200003, Israel)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic represents not just a global health crisis, but may signal the beginning of a new era of economic activity, the potential consequences of which we currently do not fully understand. In this context, the mid-to-long-range impacts of the pandemic on the energy sector have been studied extensively in the last few months. Despite these efforts, the pandemic still raises many open questions concerning the long-term operation and planning of power systems. For instance, how will the pandemic affect the integration of renewable energy sources? Should current power system expansion plans change in light of the COVID-19 pandemic? What new tools should be provided to support system operators during global health crises? It is the purpose of this paper to better understand the many aspects of these open questions by reviewing the relevant recent literature and by analyzing measured data. We point out the main challenges that the pandemic introduced by presenting patterns of electricity generation and demand, frequency deviations, and load forecasting. Moreover, we suggest directions for future research that may assist in coping with the mentioned challenges. We hope that this paper will trigger fruitful discussions and encourage further research on these important emerging topics.

Suggested Citation

  • Aviad Navon & Ram Machlev & David Carmon & Abiodun Emmanuel Onile & Juri Belikov & Yoash Levron, 2021. "Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Energy Systems and Electric Power Grids—A Review of the Challenges Ahead," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-14, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:4:p:1056-:d:501017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Constantin Anghelache & Madalina-Gabriela Anghel & Stefan Virgil Iacob, 2022. "Energy Resources Decrease And It Is Necessary To Conserve And Save Them," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4, pages 158-164, August.
    8. Marek Ochowiak & Andżelika Krupińska & Sylwia Włodarczak & Magdalena Matuszak & Szymon Woziwodzki & Tomasz Szulc, 2021. "Analysis of the Possibility of Disinfecting Surfaces Using Portable Foggers in the Era of the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-10, April.
    9. Bazzana, Davide & Cohen, Jed J. & Golinucci, Nicolò & Hafner, Manfred & Noussan, Michel & Reichl, Johannes & Rocco, Matteo Vincenzo & Sciullo, Alessandro & Vergalli, Sergio, 2022. "A multi-disciplinary approach to estimate the medium-term impact of COVID-19 on transport and energy: A case study for Italy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PC).
    10. Constantin Anghelache & Mădălina-Gabriela Anghel & Ștefan Virgil Iacob & Mirela Panait & Irina Gabriela Rădulescu & Alina Gabriela Brezoi & Adrian Miron, 2022. "The Effects of Health Crisis on Economic Growth, Health and Movement of Population," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, April.
    11. Indre Siksnelyte-Butkiene, 2021. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Sustainability of the Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-19, November.
    12. Tomasz Wołowiec & Iuliia Myroshnychenko & Ihor Vakulenko & Sylwester Bogacki & Anna Maria Wiśniewska & Svitlana Kolosok & Vitaliy Yunger, 2022. "International Impact of COVID-19 on Energy Economics and Environmental Pollution: A Scoping Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-26, November.
    13. Ram, Manish & Gulagi, Ashish & Aghahosseini, Arman & Bogdanov, Dmitrii & Breyer, Christian, 2022. "Energy transition in megacities towards 100% renewable energy: A case for Delhi," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 578-589.
    14. Thongsavanh Keokhoungning & Wullapa Wongsinlatam & Tawun Remsungnen & Ariya Namvong & Sirote Khunkitti & Bounmy Inthakesone & Apirat Siritaratiwat & Suttichai Premrudeepreechacharn & Chayada Surawanit, 2023. "Challenge of Supplying Power with Renewable Energy Due to the Impact of COVID-19 on Power Demands in the Lao PDR: Analysis Using Metaheuristic Optimization," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    15. Jacek Artur Strojny & Michał Stanisław Chwastek & Elżbieta Badach & Sławomir Jacek Lisek & Piotr Kacorzyk, 2022. "Impacts of COVID-19 on Energy Expenditures of Local Self-Government Units in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-25, February.
    16. Beata Bieszk-Stolorz & Iwona Markowicz, 2021. "Decline in Share Prices of Energy and Fuel Companies on the Warsaw Stock Exchange as a Reaction to the COVID-19 Pandemic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, August.
    17. Ye, Wei & Chaiyapa, Warathida, 2024. "Impact of governance on resilience in the energy transition. An analysis of China and Germany," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    18. Emirmahmutoglu, Furkan & Denaux, Zulal & Topcu, Mert, 2021. "Time-varying causality between renewable and non-renewable energy consumption and real output: Sectoral evidence from the United States," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    19. Marta Moure-Garrido & Celeste Campo & Carlos Garcia-Rubio, 2022. "Entropy-Based Anomaly Detection in Household Electricity Consumption," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-21, March.
    20. Andrés Oviedo-Gómez & Sandra Milena Londoño-Hernández & Diego Fernando Manotas-Duque, 2021. "Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Spot Price of Colombian Electricity," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-14, October.

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