Ever More Frequent Negative Electricity Prices: A New Reality and Challenges for Photovoltaics and Wind Power in a Changing Energy Market—Threat or Opportunity, and Where Are the Limits of Sustainability?
In recent years, negative electricity prices have ceased to be a rare phenomenon and are becoming a new reality in markets with a high share of renewable energy sources. This introductory article examines the increasing frequency of negative prices—particularly in Germany—as a consequence of the rap...
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2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2498 |
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| author | Marek Pavlík |
| author_facet | Marek Pavlík |
| author_sort | Marek Pavlík |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, negative electricity prices have ceased to be a rare phenomenon and are becoming a new reality in markets with a high share of renewable energy sources. This introductory article examines the increasing frequency of negative prices—particularly in Germany—as a consequence of the rapid expansion of solar and wind power plants. It highlights the sharp decline in the so-called capture rate for renewable producers and outlines technical, market-based, and regulatory solutions to this challenge. As the energy transition accelerates, key questions emerge concerning grid flexibility, market design, and investment returns. This article also serves as a call to researchers, analysts, and energy professionals to join the ongoing discussion by contributing their insights, case studies, and innovative solutions to this Special Issue of <i>Energies</i>. Are negative prices merely a transitional side effect of decarbonization or a warning sign of deeper systemic inefficiencies? Join the debate and help shape the future of sustainable energy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bfdbcc60a9994fb08b990b8272add497 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-bfdbcc60a9994fb08b990b8272add4972025-08-20T01:56:24ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-05-011810249810.3390/en18102498Ever More Frequent Negative Electricity Prices: A New Reality and Challenges for Photovoltaics and Wind Power in a Changing Energy Market—Threat or Opportunity, and Where Are the Limits of Sustainability?Marek Pavlík0Department of Electric Power Engineering, Technical University of Košice, 04001 Košice, SlovakiaIn recent years, negative electricity prices have ceased to be a rare phenomenon and are becoming a new reality in markets with a high share of renewable energy sources. This introductory article examines the increasing frequency of negative prices—particularly in Germany—as a consequence of the rapid expansion of solar and wind power plants. It highlights the sharp decline in the so-called capture rate for renewable producers and outlines technical, market-based, and regulatory solutions to this challenge. As the energy transition accelerates, key questions emerge concerning grid flexibility, market design, and investment returns. This article also serves as a call to researchers, analysts, and energy professionals to join the ongoing discussion by contributing their insights, case studies, and innovative solutions to this Special Issue of <i>Energies</i>. Are negative prices merely a transitional side effect of decarbonization or a warning sign of deeper systemic inefficiencies? Join the debate and help shape the future of sustainable energy.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2498negative electricity pricesrenewable energy sourcesphotovoltaicswind powercapture rategrid flexibility |
| spellingShingle | Marek Pavlík Ever More Frequent Negative Electricity Prices: A New Reality and Challenges for Photovoltaics and Wind Power in a Changing Energy Market—Threat or Opportunity, and Where Are the Limits of Sustainability? Energies negative electricity prices renewable energy sources photovoltaics wind power capture rate grid flexibility |
| title | Ever More Frequent Negative Electricity Prices: A New Reality and Challenges for Photovoltaics and Wind Power in a Changing Energy Market—Threat or Opportunity, and Where Are the Limits of Sustainability? |
| title_full | Ever More Frequent Negative Electricity Prices: A New Reality and Challenges for Photovoltaics and Wind Power in a Changing Energy Market—Threat or Opportunity, and Where Are the Limits of Sustainability? |
| title_fullStr | Ever More Frequent Negative Electricity Prices: A New Reality and Challenges for Photovoltaics and Wind Power in a Changing Energy Market—Threat or Opportunity, and Where Are the Limits of Sustainability? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ever More Frequent Negative Electricity Prices: A New Reality and Challenges for Photovoltaics and Wind Power in a Changing Energy Market—Threat or Opportunity, and Where Are the Limits of Sustainability? |
| title_short | Ever More Frequent Negative Electricity Prices: A New Reality and Challenges for Photovoltaics and Wind Power in a Changing Energy Market—Threat or Opportunity, and Where Are the Limits of Sustainability? |
| title_sort | ever more frequent negative electricity prices a new reality and challenges for photovoltaics and wind power in a changing energy market threat or opportunity and where are the limits of sustainability |
| topic | negative electricity prices renewable energy sources photovoltaics wind power capture rate grid flexibility |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/10/2498 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marekpavlik evermorefrequentnegativeelectricitypricesanewrealityandchallengesforphotovoltaicsandwindpowerinachangingenergymarketthreatoropportunityandwherearethelimitsofsustainability |