The success of the energy transition will depend on its ability to manage intermittent renewable energies

Being intermittent in nature, wind and solar energy raise issues of balance in the electricity grid: their production of electricity varies according to climatic conditions, which are different from consumption needs. If massively developed, they will require a system, the extent to which is outlined here, to balance electricity supply and demand. A review of the means available to network operators for this purpose (storage, demand management, international exchanges) demonstrates the technical difficulties faced in setting up such systems and their failure to fully address climate issues. Further technical and economic analysis is therefore needed to assess the consequences of France's energy transition law. (authors)