Energy infrastructure. Starting points and characteristics According to the National Energy Policy of the Czech Republic, more than 50% of the current energy consumption in the Czech Republic is covered from primary energy resources. The indicator of dependence of the Czech Republic on energy import (including nuclear fuel) is less than 50% which is one of the lowest in the EU. This is, in relation to the worldwide emphasis on energy security, one of the strengths of the domestic energy sector. The Czech Republic is currently fully self-sufficient in energy and heat production and in 2012 it exported more than 20% of the electricity generated. However, this situation will be changing in the years before 2020 until we reach a situation where there is a nearly balanced export and import of electricity. In view of the drop in use of the most important domestic sources of energy (brown and black coal), it is important to count with an increased dependency on energy import, up to 65% by 2030 and 70% by 2040. In order to ensure the maximum possible independence of the Czech Republic on foreign energy resources, it is necessary to promote the optimal use of conventional and renewable energy sources in the Czech Republic. The target value for EU, arising from the Europe 2020 Strategy, amounts to 20% of renewable energy in 2020. In view of the restricted possibilities of the Czech Republic due to its geographical conditions, the European Commission set a lower share of no less than 13% of renewable energy in the gross final energy consumption in 2020. The share of renewable energy resources had markedly grown from 2005, thanks to adopted support, until it reached 9.35% of the gross domestic final energy consumption in 2011 (10% in 2012). The objective of the Czech Republic is to further increase the renewable energy share, but to review the form of support in order to minimise the financial impacts of the renewable energy resources on the economy and inhabitants while using such forms of renewable sources which fit best the Czech Republic's (natural and technical) conditions. A slow gradual increase in power consumption is visible in the entire Czech Republic which corresponds to the expected trend in all advanced countries. This results in the increased need for transformation output of the transmission/distribution systems. The requirement to increase the transformation output is caused not only by the increase in consumption, but it might also be caused by the loss of conventional sou...
Energy infrastructure. Basic description Interconnection of the Czech energy networks with those of the neighbouring countries is not sufficient in the light of changes in the energy mix of European countries (particularly the neighbouring ones) and the related security of energy supply. For the market integration of 2014, it is necessary to strengthen the internal and cross- border transmission capacities of power lines. High-quality links of the energy networks to European structures are significant in terms of energy security and ensuring the stability of supply when exporting and importing energy. Support should be therefore directed to the construction, upgrade and development of energy networks to ensure the achievement of three important tasks – energy independence, energy security and energy sustainability. In order to ensure the maximum possible independence of the CZE on foreign energy resources, it is necessary to promote the optimal use of conventional and renewable energy resources in the CZE, to diversify resources and transport routes and to increase the capacity for energy reserves. In order to ensure energy security, it is necessary to support the greater security of energy resources and of the entities participating in the critical infrastructure in the area of energy, to optimise the secure energy mix and to decentralise energy systems in a rational way. This includes the need to be ready for crisis management within the energy sector. Measures for improving energy networks include the expansion and modernization of power grids in relation to TEN-E networks. A major problem can be found in the resources in the area of heat generation with regard to durability and sustainability of current technologies. Electro-mobility / clean-mobility systems start to become important, but there is a complete lack of the infrastructure for these systems. Energy savings are important from the viewpoint of economy and national security. They can be achieved by upgrading and increasing the efficiency of the transmission and distribution networks (of electricity) and heat supply systems in order to limit losses. Economic growth and rising standards of living increase demands on the overall electricity supply and this trend (despite individual savings) is expected to continue in the future in all developed countries. Continuous increase in consumption is evident throughout the Czech Republic. A consequence is the increased need of transformation output of TS/DS (transmission/distr...
Energy infrastructure
