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The integration of large shares of wind and solar power into the power system benefits from transmission network expansion. However, the construction of new power lines requires long planning phases and is often delayed by citizen protests. As an non-invasive alternative, Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) offers the potential to leverage the existing grid by dynamically adjusting the transmission line capacities to the prevailing weather conditions. In this study, we present the first investment model that includes DLR in a large-scale power system with real-world network data and a high temporal resolution. Using Germany as an example, we show that a system-wide integration of DLR improves the integration of existing and additional renewables while reducing grid congestion. The evolving synergies between DLR and increased wind generation result in total cost savings of about 3% of all system costs for a scenario with 80% renewable power production, mainly due to reduced storage and solar capacity needs. If considering a fully decarbonized electricity system, the cost savings from DLR amount to up to 5.5% of the system costs, i.e. 4 billion Euro per year. Our results underscore the importance of a rapid implementation of DLR in power systems to support the energy transition and relieve grid congestion. • System effects of Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) on the German power grid are investigated. • DLR boosts power transmission capacity by accounting for weather-related cooling effects. • System wide application of DLR in Germany leads to significant system cost reduction. • Optimal network layout with DLR requires less energy storage. • DLR is a cost-effective measure in the transformation to a decarbonized power system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to analyse international effects of national energy policies, we investigate the spill-over effects of the German Energiewende on the Dutch power market, which is closely connected to the German market. We estimate the impact of the German supply of wind and solar electricity on the Dutch day-ahead price of electricity and the utilisation of the conventional power plants. We take cross-border capacity constraints into account and use hourly plant-level data over 2006–2014. We find that the price elasticity of German wind on Dutch day-ahead prices is −0.03. However, this effect vanishes when the cross-border capacity is fully utilised. We find a modest negative impact on the utilisation of the Dutch power plants. As such, we conclude that the German Energiewende has had modest spill-over effects to the Dutch market. The recent dramatic performance of the Dutch gas-fired plants can be attributed to the changes in the relative prices of coal versus natural gas. We conclude that national energy policies in one country do not necessarily strongly affect neighbouring markets in case of constrained cross-border capacities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]