Development smart grids Spain - Futured

Development smart grids Spain. FutuRed - BCGThe development of smart grids is estimated to produce around 20,000 new direct jobs in Spainand 20,000 to 30,000 new indirect jobs, resulting in a total of 40,000 to 50,000 recurring jobs.Direct jobs from smart grids will be created in areas like manufacturing communications andelectrical equipment, their set-up, on-site installation and later maintenance. New jobs will alsobe created in power companies in the industry to manage new infrastructures and consumptioninformation in real time.Of the indirect jobs that will be created, some of the most interesting are from the creationof new business models, like power management companies, and the increase in activity for indirecttechnology and solution suppliers.2.1.1.3. Reduction of energy dependenceThe Spanish power sector is heavily dependent on foreign sources. Nearly 76% of primaryenergy consumed in 2011 in Spain came from imported fossil fuels.The better integration of renewable energies into the power supply and the e-vehicle, demandmanagement and increased energy efficiency would reduce Spain’s energy dependence.The smart grids system favors the penetration of renewable energies into the power generation andmakes managing the demand curve more efficient. Fossil fuel imports, especially of the less sustainableones, will drop 10,800 ktep of primary energy, which means Spain’s energy dependence could drop 5.3percentage points. The Spanish power sector’s energy dependence would fall 12.2 percentage points.By tempering the need to buy and import fossil fuels, a smart grids system would reduce themarket risks of exchange rates and of possible political instability in countries that usually supplythese types of fuel.8