In this episode of Flexing the Future, Jens Baetens welcomes energy expert and Ghent University researcher Joannes Laveyne to discuss how Europe’s electricity system must evolve as renewable energy becomes the dominant source of power. Rather than viewing flexibility as a niche energy concept, the conversation explains why it is becoming a fundamental requirement for maintaining reliability, affordability and grid stability in an increasingly renewable energy system.
The discussion explores the different forms of flexibility, from fast, power-based responses that stabilize the grid within seconds to slower demand-side flexibility that shifts energy consumption over hours or days. As renewable generation continues to grow, the speakers argue that the greatest untapped opportunity lies in adapting electricity demand to periods of abundant, low-cost renewable energy instead of curtailing clean generation.
The podcast also addresses several of today’s most debated energy topics, including negative electricity prices, the lessons learned from the Iberian blackout, the role of battery storage, demand-side management, gas-fired generation and nuclear power. Rather than framing these technologies as competitors, Johannes advocates for a pragmatic, market-driven approach in which each technology contributes where it delivers the greatest value.
The key takeaway is clear, Europe’s energy transition is no longer simply about adding more renewable generation. Success will depend on building a smarter, more flexible electricity system where technology, markets and demand work together to capture renewable energy whenever it is available and strengthen the resilience of the grid.
Discover the full conversation in this new episode of our podcast Flexing the Future.
