Legislative, Social and Technical Frameworks for Supporting Electricity Grid Stability and Energy Sharing in Slovakia

The equilibrium between electricity demand and consumption is vital to ensure the stability of the transmission and distribution systems grid (TS & DS) and to ensure the stable operation of the electrical system. The aim of this review study is to highlight the current legislative and technical situation and the possibilities for managing peak loads, decentralization, sharing, storage, and sale of electricity generated from renewable sources in Slovakia. The European Union′s (EU) goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and a minimum of 42.5% renewable energy consumption by 2030 brings with it obligations for individual member states. These are transposed into national strategies. The current share of renewable sources in Slovakia is approximately 24% and the EU target by 2030 is probably unrealistic. Water resources are practically exhausted; other possibilities for increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RES) are in photovoltaics, wind, and thermal sources. Due to long-term geographical and historical development, electricity production in Slovakia is based on large-scale solutions. The move towards decentralization requires legislative and technical support. The review article examines the possibilities of increasing the share of RES and energy sharing in Slovakia, and examines the legislative, economic, and social barriers to their wider application. At the same time as the share of renewable sources in electricity generation increases, the article examines and presents solutions capable of ensuring the stability of electricity networks across Europe. The study formulates diversified strategies at the distribution network level and the consumer and building levels, and identifies physical (various types of electricity storage, electromobility, electricity liquidators) and virtual (electricity sharing, energy communities, virtual batteries) solutions. In conclusion, it defines the necessary changes in the legislative, technical, social, and economic areas for the most optimal improvement of the situation in the area of increasing the share of RES, supporting the decentralization of the electric power industry, and sharing electricity in Slovakia, also based on experience and good examples from abroad.