100% renewable energy? Only with the right cable infrastructure!

The vision is clear: A Europe powered 100% by renewable energy. But while solar and wind farms are booming, the expansion of power grids is lagging behind. The reason? An infrastructure built for fossil fuel power plants that can’t keep up with new demands. 💡 Fact: A modern power grid is more than just generation—without the right cabling, electricity remains trapped in wind turbines or solar panels. In the end, it’s not just about generating more power, but about smart grids that can transport it reliably and with minimal losses.

Today’s power infrastructure was built for centralized large-scale power plants. But renewable energy works differently: It is decentralized, weather-dependent, and requires flexible grids. This creates a massive need for restructuring.

Why our grid is currently overwhelmed:

Problem	Cause	Solution?
Grid bottlenecks	Old power lines designed for central plants, not decentralized energy	New high- & medium-voltage cables
Curtailment of solar & wind power	Grid cannot absorb enough electricity	Smart grids & storage solutions
Long transmission distances	Generation is often far from consumption	High-performance cables & local grids

⚠️ A grid from the past cannot transport the energy of the future! Anyone investing only in renewable energy systems today while ignoring cable infrastructure will be left with expensive, unused electricity tomorrow.

Not all cables are created equal – and not every cable is suited for the challenges of the energy transition. Voltage level, capacity, and efficiency are key factors.

The three pillars of energy transition cabling:

⚡ High-voltage cables → Long-distance power transmission
⚡ Medium-voltage cables → Grid connections for solar & wind farms
⚡ Low-voltage cables → Connecting households & storage systems 🔍 What makes a good renewable energy cable?
✔ High load capacity for fluctuating power inputs
✔ Weather- and temperature-resistant insulation
✔ Sustainable materials for a low-carbon power grid 💡 The better the cable, the less electricity is lost along the way – and the greener the energy becomes!

Without the right cables, electricity stays where it’s generated. But what kind of grid expansion really makes sense?

Underground cables vs. overhead lines – which is the better choice?

A key question in grid expansion is whether new power lines should be built as overhead lines or underground cables. Both options have pros and cons, but in the long run, underground cabling offers significant advantages in terms of reliability, environmental protection, and grid stability.

Criteria	Underground Cable	Overhead Line
Grid stability	Very high	Moderate
Environmental impact	Unobtrusive, no disruption to landscapes	Visible, problematic for birds
Maintenance & lifespan	Minimal maintenance, long lifespan	Weather-sensitive, shorter lifespan
Costs	Higher installation costs, but more efficient operation	Cheaper to build, but higher long-term costs

In the past, overhead lines were favored due to lower construction costs. However, modern demands for grid stability, environmental protection, and aesthetics increasingly support underground cables. As a result, many countries are now adopting underground cabling as the standard for new high- and medium-voltage power lines. For those who want to dive deeper into the topic, here’s a detailed analysis comparing overhead lines and underground cables:

Freileitung und Erdkabel sind „Stand der Technik“

Freileitung oder Erdkabel? Wir erklären Ihnen die Unterschiede und Möglichkeiten, aber auch warum was möglich ist und warum was nicht.

www.hochspannungsblog.at

Freileitung und Erdkabel sind „Stand der Technik“

Freileitung oder Erdkabel? Wir erklären Ihnen die Unterschiede und Möglichkeiten, aber auch warum was möglich ist und warum was nicht.

www.hochspannungsblog.at

Freileitung und Erdkabel sind „Stand der Technik“

Freileitung oder Erdkabel? Wir erklären Ihnen die Unterschiede und Möglichkeiten, aber auch warum was möglich ist und warum was nicht.

www.hochspannungsblog.at

Freileitung und Erdkabel sind „Stand der Technik“

Freileitung oder Erdkabel? Wir erklären Ihnen die Unterschiede und Möglichkeiten, aber auch warum was möglich ist und warum was nicht.

www.hochspannungsblog.at

⚡ The energy transition can only succeed if the infrastructure keeps up. Those who invest in the right cables now will secure the power supply for decades to come.

The energy transition isn’t just about expanding renewable energy sources – it also requires a fundamental modernization of the power grid. The challenge isn’t just the amount of electricity being generated, but how intelligently it is distributed. Wind and solar power generation is volatile, meaning that sometimes there’s too much electricity, and sometimes too little. This is where modern grid technologies come into play. A future-proof power grid must be flexible, capable of balancing load peaks intelligently, and transporting energy with minimal losses. The key technologies enabling this transformation are smart grids, battery storage, and intelligent cable systems that don’t just conduct electricity but actively contribute to network control.

How modern cables contribute to grid stability

• **Smart grids **and digital control: Intelligent cables with integrated sensors enable real-time monitoring of power flows. This allows the grid to detect load peaks and respond flexibly.
• **Load management **through battery storage: Energy that isn’t immediately needed can be stored in batteries and fed into the grid later. The right cable infrastructure ensures this happens efficiently and with minimal losses.
• **Modern cables **with improved insulation and materials: High-quality cables with optimized cross-sections reduce transmission losses, making energy use more efficient.
• Decentralized energy distribution: Instead of central power plants, countless small producers are now feeding electricity into the grid. This requires a new generation of medium- and low-voltage cables that can handle flexible load distribution.

The future belongs to grids that don’t just transport electricity but actively manage it. This means we don’t just need more cables, but the right cables—equipped with intelligent technology.

Discussions about renewable energy often focus on expanding wind and solar farms. Yet, the crucial infrastructure needed to make this energy reliably usable is rarely addressed. The reality is clear: A modern power grid is the key to the energy transition. If electricity cannot be efficiently transported or stored, grid bottlenecks and curtailments occur—the exact opposite of what the energy transition aims to achieve.

Three key takeaways:

• Renewable energy needs powerful grids. Without a solid cable infrastructure, much of the electricity generated remains unused because the grid cannot absorb it.
• Investing in cables is just as important as investing in generation. While new wind turbines and solar plants are visible, the necessary grid expansion remains largely invisible—and is therefore underestimated.
• Without smart grid technology, fluctuations cannot be managed. Modern cables with integrated control technology are essential for delivering energy exactly where it’s needed.

When it comes to the future of energy supply, there is no alternative to high-performance cable systems. The energy transition is not just about generation—it’s fundamentally about transport and distribution.

The energy transition demands a new generation of grid infrastructure. KLZ is your trusted partner for the reliable cabling of solar and wind power projects—from medium to high voltage. With decades of experience in the cable industry, we know exactly what matters when connecting renewable energy sources to the grid. Our cables are specifically designed for high loads and fluctuating power inputs. But we don’t just supply materials—we also provide expert advice on the best solutions for efficient and sustainable power distribution.

Our strengths:

✔ Fast & reliable delivery – We ensure your projects start on time, without delays.
✔ Technical consulting & planning – Not sure which cables are best for your project? We provide expert guidance.
✔ Sustainable cable technology – Eco-friendly materials and durable cables for a future-proof energy supply.
✔ Specialized in renewable energy – Our solutions are tailored to the specific needs of wind and solar farms. Whether it’s grid connections, high-voltage lines, or cabling infrastructure for large solar parks, we’ve got the expertise you need. ⚡ Let’s shape the future of energy together. Contact us for a consultation or a customized quote.