The blackout was just a harbinger. Czech companies are facing an energy test that most are not ready for

After all, the real threat does not happen in individual incidents. According to the TSO scenario CEPS may already be in 2027 run out up to twenty hours a year, when it will not be possible to guarantee the supply of electricity. By 2030, the Czech network could be missing over fourteen terawatt hours of electricity. This is approximately as much as per year The Dukovany nuclear power plant will be built.

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“We say that we are an exporting country, but if everyone wants to import, there will be no where. The surplus of energy in the European grid does not arise when we really need it.” says Jiří Španihel, Technical Director of the energy consulting company PKV, in the PKV Talk podcast series.

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An unpleasant but predictable reality

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“People keep waiting for the world to return to its pre-Covid and pre-war state. But that's not going to happen anymore. The brightest are beginning to see change as an opportunity.”

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For most of the public and parts of the private sector the topic of security of electricity supply remains remote. Firms deal with current invoices rather than what long-term structural change means. But that is what is beginning to be decisive. According to Jiří Španihel The Czech Republic is moving more slowly than other countries, and yet the impacts come regardless of preparedness.

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“People keep waiting for the world to return to the pre-Covid and pre-war state. But that's not going to happen anymore. The brightest start to see change as an opportunity,” says Ivan Korolov, a specialist in municipal energy. According to him, many organizations continue to rely on improvisation and postpone decisions that should have been made long ago.

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There are few prepared ones. Basic data is often missing

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The key risk is not technology or legislation. It's unpreparedness. According to Korolov and Spanihel most municipalities, towns or businesses do not have a basic overview of their energy consumption. Many do not have energy concepts, they lack measurements, they lack a system. In many cases, we work with poorly set distribution rates, reserved capacities, or no data at all.

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“When we are preparing renovations, we need documents. But often we don't get them because they don't exist.” says the Spaniard. “Having a plan for energy is the same as having a plan for finances or people. If you have no strategy, you make arrangements haphazardly and you can block yourself in the future.”

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According to internal estimates, the readiness of municipalities is in the low tens of percent. Moreover, many public buildings fall into the worst energy performance categories. And companies? These are slightly better off, but often only where energy makes up a significant portion of operating costs.

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Consumption grows, flexibility is lacking

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Against the background of new European directives such as EPBD IV, a fundamental change is taking place. Future legislation will require not only emission and consumption reductions, but also the introduction of power management and own production. Energy strategy will no longer be a superstandard, but an obligation.

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“Reconstruction of buildings already It's not just about insulation.. Obligations on photovoltaics, recharging infrastructure are increasing. By 2030, it will not be possible to operate buildings as they do today.” says Korolov. According to him, the biggest risk is that the changes will appear inconspicuous, but they will come quickly and without the possibility of postponement.

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The solution is not technology, but a thoughtful approach

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The PKV Talk podcast repeatedly emphasizes that the key is not a specific solution, but a system. “It's not about clinging to the panels. It's about how I consume, when and why,” says the Spaniard. Without data and without a plan, good decisions cannot be made.

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In one of the examples, Korolov mentions a client who operates a tempered warehouse with constant consumption. The combination of photovoltaics and a smart battery allowed it to cover almost two-thirds of annual consumption. And in addition, it serves as a backup in case of outages. Such solutions are no exception, but a growing standard.

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Ready to set your own price

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Some companies are already heading for a state where they will be nearly self-sufficient in energy. In practice, this means that it will not be decisive for them how much electricity costs on the exchange, since they produce it themselves. “He who manages his own production and consumption will have an advantage. Not just financial, but operational. It will be stable.” says Korolov.

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Energy independence does not mean isolation. It means the ability to make decisions. It means that the firm or municipality is not hostage to fluctuations in the network, stock exchange or politics. And this, according to experts, will become increasingly valuable.

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What can one do who has nothing today

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The first step is not technology. He's an overview. Basic analysis of consumption, monitoring and optimization of behavior. “The biggest savings often come not from building modifications, but from better traffic settings,” says the Spaniard. Only then does it make sense to plan larger investments. These should be designed in such a way that they build on each other and do not block further development.

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“The approach of replacing windows today and finding out in three years that they can't be combined with insulation is still common. It's the result of no one looking ahead.” concludes the Spaniard.

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Those who prepare will have the advantage

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The energy change is taking place. She doesn't wait to see who gets her. As the guests of PKV Talk say, the sooner companies and the public administration begin to prepare, the less the impact of future upheavals will be.

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“The future won't be about who has the biggest solar array, it's about who has the plan. He who knows his consumption, knows where he has weaknesses and can make decisions in time,” says Jiří Španihel.

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“That's what we're from here,” complements Ivan Korolov. “We help clients to put their energy in order, create a system and navigate what awaits them. Energy has long been not just about technology. It is a fundamental economic topic. It decides on costs, operational stability as well as competitiveness. And time is running out. Whoever starts preparing only the moment the pressure comes will just put out the fires. Our services and the entire PKV ecosystem are here to make sure that doesn't happen. We help companies and municipalities prepare in time strategically, thoughtfully and with real impact. “

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The PKV Talk podcast addresses these very topics. Not only to Friday's blackout, but mainly to what symbolizes that energy resilience is becoming more and more important and that waiting doesn't pay.

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