Large-Scale Electricity Supergrids and the Transition to Electricity From Renewable Sources

The decarbonisation of our electricity supply, which accounts for a quarter of our CO2 emissions, is crucial to achieving substantial cuts in our greenhouse gas emissions. This article will explore the concept of large-scale electricity supergrids as a way of integrating variable and often remote sources of renewable energy into our power supply. Europe and the surrounding regions will be considered as an example of an area that could have such a grid. It will then discuss the political challenge involved and how to tackle it, and finish by considering which other regions around the world could also have a long-distance renewable energy grid.