Romania’s energy strategy must include not only the component of energy production from renewable sources but also solutions for its use for the manufacture of goods with high added value, said Adrian Paraschiv, Country Manager of the Photomate company, at the 9th edition of the Energy Strategy Summit, an event organized by Energynomics.
“In Romania’s energy strategy, in addition to saying we want to produce renewable energy, we should also know where we use it. The energy transition is happening, but we must realize that it comes with some costs that will provide a much wider market for the workforce in the future. Universities will be more specialized and this means an integrated system that current and future students will be able to access. There are some challenges that must be included in the energy strategy, but this document must also be coupled to reality, not just to what we intend to achieve,” said Paraschiv.
The energy produced from renewable sources will have to be stored to be used at times of consumption peaks but will also have to be used in those industries that need it during the day. A complete circuit is needed, from the investor in energy production, through suppliers, the energy transporter, distributors and up to the final consumer and the production of a finished product with high added value that Romania can export.
“Let’s not only be exporters of raw materials, but also make the finished product. We have to use in industry the energy we produce,” added Paraschiv.
Due to low consumption, some prosumers have difficulties in supplying their own energy due to frequent interruptions of photovoltaic systems. These interruptions are caused by the increase in voltage in the distribution network as a result of low consumption and the fact that during the day the photovoltaic plants produce too much energy compared to the consumption the owner uses. As a result, the photovoltaic system disconnects – this is a reminder of the need for energy storage legislation that could be a solution to limit these interruptions.
Moreover, at the national level, the first 2 MW of storage have been connected to the grid, Paraschiv said, adding that storage “must become a reality” to counter the unpredictability of energy from renewable sources. “There are investors who have projects but run into the bureaucratic side for which Romania is already famous in the EU. But even more importantly they face the unpredictability of energy production,” Paraschiv said.
Energy Strategy Summit 2023 was organised by Energynomics with the support of ABB, ASTRASUN Solar, BCR, CEZ Romania, Eaton Electric, Electrica Furnizare, Electro Service RB, Elektra Renewable Support, EnergoBit, Enevo Group, E.ON, Finder, Huawei, MET România Energy, OMV Petrom, OX2 România, Phoenix Contact, Photomate, ProCredit Bank, REI Grup, Renomia Gallagher, Romgaz, Schneider Electric, Signify, Transelectrica, Taw Energy, Volt, WIKA, Wiren, Alexandrion Group, Aqua Carpatica, Klarmedia and Mobexpert.