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Article - Grids and Grid Expansion

An electricity grid for the energy transition

Introduction

In order to make sure our electricity supply remains secure and affordable, we need several thousand kilometres of new power lines. This is the only way to ensure that electricity from renewable energy sources actually reaches every power socket in Germany. The electricity grid is therefore the backbone of a successful energy transition.

The new generation situation with growing shares of electricity from renewable sources is creating fresh challenges for the grid: In some cases, electricity needs to travel long distances from the generators to the consumers.

For example, electricity from wind energy is mostly generated in the north and the east of Germany, as well as at sea; this is where the wind is particularly strong. But the main electricity consumers – particularly the large industrial operations – are to be found in the south and west of the country. So the wind power generated in the north needs to get to the south.

Making the grids fit for the energy transition

By the end of 2022, Germany’s nuclear power plants will have been gradually decommissioned, and other conventional power stations will also have closed down. These changes are affecting the grid: in total, more than 7,500 kilometres of transmission grid will need to be upgraded or newly constructed in the next few years. A major role here is played by the ultra-high-voltage direct-current transmission lines, the “electricity highways” like SuedLink and SuedOstLink. The upgrading of the interconnectors to our European neighbours is also becoming more and more important, because the task of realising the energy transition is increasingly being approached from a pan-European level. This allows us, for example, to combine hydroelectric power from Scandinavia and the Alpine countries with wind power and photovoltaics from Germany. And this cuts the costs of the energy transition.

It used to be the case that electricity travelled in one direction, from the power station via the transmission and distribution grids to the consumer, but today’s grids have to cope with “oncoming traffic”: electricity travels not only in the “top-down” direction, but also “bottom-up”. In order to coordinate generation and consumption in a demand-based and consumption-based manner, the electricity grid needs to become smarter.

Policy environment for the electricity grid of the future

The entire electricity grid, including all its various voltage levels, must be made fit for the energy transition. The Act to Change Provisions of Law on Energy Cable Construction, the Act on the Digitisation of the Energy Transition, and the revision of the Incentive Regulation Ordinance have put important policies in place to drive the expansion at transmission and distribution grid level, to make it citizen-friendly, and to make the grids fit to cope with their new tasks. You can find out more about the rules governing the grid expansion here (in German).

Electricity Grid Action Plan

In order to take action to speed up grid expansion, which had been slowing, in August 2018, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action presented the Electricity Grid Action Plan (in German) (PDF, 92 KB). This Plan follows a two-pronged approach: to optimise existing grids using new technologies and operating strategies, and to speed up grid expansion by simplifying planning procedures and utilising forward-looking controlling (in German) (PDF, 130 KB). The timetables for each grid expansion project are key elements of the controlling. Representatives from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the Bundesnetzagentur, and the Länder meet with grid operators on a regular basis to discuss each project. This enables every party involved to identify potential obstacles and risks for the timetables early on and to take measures to counter these. For more information on the controlling, please click here (in German) (PDF, 130 KB).

‘Electricity 2030’ discussion process

Germany has set itself ambitious targets: it wants to increase investments in efficiency technologies and to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible by 2050. The time up to 2030 is crucial. The Federal Economic Affairs Ministry is therefore looking towards the future of ‘Electricity 2030’. Basing their work on recent studies, the energy transition platforms “Electricity Market” and “Energy Grids” discussed twelve long-term trends in the electricity sector. The trends show that wind and solar energy are having an increasing impact on the energy system, gradually becoming important energy sources while remaining secure and affordable. The outcome of the discussion process can be found in this paper.

2019-2030 Grid Development Plan

The 2019-2030 Grid Development Plan was endorsed by the Bundesnetzagentur in December 2019. The plan outlines the grid expansion and optimisation that is necessary up to 2030 to reach the climate targets in Germany. It does not describe any specific powerline routes, but only outlines the transmission requirements between specific grid connection points. It takes account of the coal phase-out in accordance with the results of the Commission for Growth, Structural Change and Employment, and, for the first time, also of the planning for the connection systems for offshore wind energy. Prior to this, there were public consultations on the drafts submitted by the transmission system operators, and the drafts were examined by the Bundesnetzagentur. For more information, please click here (in German).

Expansion of the electricity grid progressing well

In order to make sure our electricity supply remains secure and affordable, Germany needs several thousand kilometres of new power lines. This is a mammoth task that made significant progress in 2019 thanks to improved cooperation between all those involved and thanks to less bureaucracy.

At the end of 2019, around half of all projects under the Power Grid Expansion Act were in operation, another third is under construction. According to the agreed schedule, around 90 percent of these projects should be under construction or already in operation by the end of 2020. For the HDVC line SuedOstLink, the first of the major north-south power highways, the complete underground cable route corridor has now been determined. It is the first high voltage direct current transmission line. By the end of the year almost 90 percent of the projects should be in the planning approval phase according to the current Federal Requirements Plan Act or even further advanced. This means that grid expansion has advanced quite considerably in 2019.

This is particularly true in terms of the years of approval: Of the projects adopted in 2009, 767 kilometres (46 per cent) have entered into operation and a further 471 kilometres (28 per cent) are under construction. Of the projects adopted in 2013, 1,579 kilometres (63 per cent) were at the planning approval stage or further advanced in 2019. The figure for 2018 had been 49 per cent. Bureaucracy reduction resulting from the revision of the Act on Measures for Accelerating the Expansion of the Electricity Grid (NABEG 2.0) was also decisive for the 14 percent increase. The revised act has reduced unnecessary bureaucracy and streamlined procedures for grid expansion, especially when it comes to optimising and reinforcing existing lines. The act has directly helped with several grid expansion projects and shortened the official procedures by several years. Also, 949 kilometres (27 per cent) of the recent projects from 2015 have entered the planning approval procedure or are at a more advanced stage. The 2018 figure had been 821.

This grid expansion progress is summarised in a flyer (in German) (PDF, 2 MB). For further information regarding the current state of grid expansion projects, please visit www.netzausbau.de (in German).

Infographics

Facts and figures on the electricity grid in Germany

4
Symbolicon für Unternehmen in Deutschland

transmission system operators
operate the ultra-high voltage transmission grid

37,000
Symbolicon für Stromtrasse

kilometres
is the total length of the main transmission grids in Germany

approx. 50
Symbolicon für Geld

billion euros
is the amount of investment in the transmission grid (onshore and offshore) forecast by the grid operators up to 2030

1.2
Symbolicon für Haus

million kilometres
is the length of the low-voltage grid in Germany via which the electricity is distributed to the end-users.

The German Electricity Grid

Travelling long distances to reach every socket

Germany has a comparatively well developed and intricately meshed electricity grid. This consists of the transmission grid – in which the power is transported at very high voltages – and distribution grids, which are used to supply the regions and final consumers with electricity.

The four transmission system operators in Germany (TenneT, 50Hertz Transmission, Amprion and TransnetBW) look after the secure operation of the infrastructure of the transmission grids, maintain them, build new powerlines, and grant electricity traders/suppliers with non-discriminatory access to these grids. They are supervised by the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency, an agency of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action), which for example authorises grid expansion and grid-use fees.

Over long distances: the transmission grids

Transmission grids facilitate the transport of electricity over large distances throughout Germany and even across borders - with a minimum of loss, and directly to the areas where the power is consumed. The German high voltage grid is linked to the wider European grid by interconnectors. The total length of the German transmission grids is around 37,000 kilometres. In the case of alternating current (AC), electricity is transmitted with a maximum voltage of 220 kilovolts (kV) or 380 kV; the voltage of the planned new high voltage direct current (DC) transmission lines will be up to 525 kV.

Directly to the consumer: Distribution grids

At the level of the distribution grids the electricity is transmitted at high, medium and low voltage. Lower voltage grids distribute the power to end users. There are a large number of regional and municipal grid operators in this sector.

  • High voltage: 60 kV to 220 kV (grid length around 94,000 km)
    The high-voltage grid is the link to the ultra-high voltage grid (transformers). High-voltage grids distribute the electricity to urban areas or directly to major industrial concerns.
  • Medium voltage: 6 kV to 60 kV (grid length around 520,000 km)
    The medium voltage grid distributes the electricity to regional transformer substations, or directly to large facilities such as hospitals or factories.
  • Low voltage: 230 V or 400 V (grid length around 1,190,000 km)
    The low voltage grid is used for fine distribution of the electricity. The low voltage grid serves private households, small industrial companies, commercial enterprises and office premises.

Infographics

Controlling of the grid expansion

Grid expansion a top priority for Minister Altmaier

Expansion of the grid is a top priority for Federal Minister Altmaier and the Energy Ministers of the Länder. They have coordinated specific timetables and milestones for all grid expansion projects and all offshore connection lines with the transmission system operators.

The Grid Expansion Acceleration Act entered into force in May 2019. The aim was to streamline procedures and cut red tape. It is now important to implement the grid expansion projects as soon as possible.

For this purpose, Federal Minister Altmaier joined together with the Energy Ministers of the Länder and the directors of the transmission system operators at the Energy Ministers conference on 24 May 2019 to agree on specific timetables and milestones for all grid expansion projects. The timetables can be found at www.netzausbau.de (in German). They can also be downloaded here (in German) (PDF, 130 KB). They provide the planned milestones against which the specific progress of the grid expansion is to be monitored. They allow a comparison with the actual progress of grid expansion projects published by the Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA) on their website every quarter. This helps the grid expansion stakeholders to see quickly what projects can serve as best practices and in what areas more needs to be done.

One year later, Federal Economic Affairs Minister Peter Altmaier together with the President of the Bundesnetzagentur, the President of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, the Energy Ministers of the coastal states and the managing directors of the participating transmission system operators 50Hertz, Amprion and TenneT agreed on a joint Offshore agreement (in German) (PDF, 244 KB). According to the Agreement, all parties involved commit themselves to the necessary measures and close cooperation in order to promote the expansion of wind energy in the North and Baltic Seas. The increase in the expansion target from 15 gigawatts to 20 gigawatts by the year 2030 requires that all necessary connecting pipelines are commissioned on time. The concrete milestones and schedules (in German) (PDF, 92 KB) for all those involved ensure that the necessary planning and approval steps as well as the construction of the connecting pipelines and the offshore wind farms go hand in hand. The time targets are regularly reviewed as part of the ministry’s grid expansion control so that countermeasures can be initiated more quickly in the event of delays.

Underground Cables

Policies in place for future grid expansion

The policies for future grid expansion are in place: Since the beginning of 2016, priority has been given to underground cables in new DC projects.

In the past, the transportation of electricity over large distances at ultra-high voltage has used alternating current. The major new north-south powerlines, such as SuedLink, will now be planned and built as ultra-high voltage DC lines. In the past, both DC and AC projects have mainly used overhead powerlines.

The Act to change provisions of law on energy cable construction (in German) has not only updated the list of the particularly urgent projects, but also placed the rules on the use of underground cables on a new basis. New DC projects are now primarily to be planned using underground powerlines. These are more expensive, but they increase the level of public acceptance, as the impact on the landscape is much smaller.

It is much more difficult to place AC lines underground. But tests for this will be carried out in the form of pilot projects in some sections of the grid. Find out more (in German).

Questions and answers on grid and development (underground cables)

Will priority for underground cables mean higher costs for the consumer?

See answer Open detail view

What exactly is meant by "priority for underground DC cables"?

See answer Open detail view

Doesn't the new priority for underground cables mean that there will be delays?

See answer Open detail view

The five stages of grid expansion: From planning the requirements to the finished route

1

Energy supply scenarios

2

Network Development Plan, Offshore Network Development Plan and environmental report

3

Federal Requirements Plan

4

Decision on powerline routes

5

Defining the exact powerline routes in the statutory planning approval procedure

How much electricity will we consume in the next few years, and where? A “scenario framework” answers these questions and thus provides the basis for the necessary grid expansion planning. This scenario framework is prepared by the transmission system operators.

How it works: Grid expansion in five steps

The transmission system operators use the scenario framework to determine how much grid expansion is needed. They summarise the results in a joint Network Development Plan and Offshore Network Development Plan. Environmental impacts are also considered, and summarised in an environmental report. The Federal Network Agency confirms the results.

How it works: Grid expansion in five steps

The Federal Network Agency transmits the confirmed Network Development Plans (onshore and offshore) and the environmental report to the Federal Government. These now serve as the draft of a Federal Requirements Plan. The Federal Government must present a draft of this plan to the legislature at least every four years for its approval.

How it works: Grid expansion in five steps

Once the Federal Requirements Plan Act has been adopted, the starting and finishing points of the future ultra-high voltage powerlines have been decided. Now, the precise routing is stipulated – strips up to a kilometre wide in which the lines will run in future. The Federal Network Agency does this for those powerlines which cross Länder and international borders; the routes of other powerlines are stipulated by the Länder.

How it works: Grid expansion in five steps

The corridors identified in the fourth stage form the basis for the statutory planning approval procedure. The planning approval stipulates all the key details for the future ultra-high voltage line: the precise route and the transmission technology.

How it works: Grid expansion in five steps

Public Dialogue

Engaging in dialogue, promoting local acceptance

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action supports the initiative for a public dialogue on grids. The aim: to boost public acceptance of the grid expansion via dialogue and transparency.

The German energy transition is very much a joint effort that requires transparency and dialogue. Whilst a large majority is in favour of the energy reforms per se, the necessary infrastructure projects like the construction of powerlines often need greater local acceptance.

This is why the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is supporting the initiative for a public dialogue on grids. This public dialogue on the electricity grid is available to everyone affected and the general public as a neutral information and dialogue platform on all questions relating to grid expansion; in this way, it shapes the broad societal dialogue involving all the relevant stakeholders. With ten offices around Germany and one mobile office, various local event formats and an online information and participation portal, people are able to find out what is happening locally and to discuss their interests in a dialogue. Also, conflict resolution procedures and mediation can be offered to project managers, citizens’ initiatives and interested parties.

All the information on the public dialogue can be found here.

Smart grids and smart meters

Smart grids and the digitisation of the energy transition

The level of power generation from wind and solar energy is subject to considerable fluctuations. For this reason, generation, grids and consumption need to be smartly linked up. The electricity market ensures that energy generation and demand is coordinated.

The concept of the “smart grid” describes the communicative connection of the actors in the energy supply system to the power supply grid, from power generation, transmission, storage and distribution through to the consumption of the electricity. This creates an integrated data and energy grid with completely new structures and functions. Smart grids aim to safeguard the power supply of tomorrow on the basis of an efficient and reliable operation of the system. Precise information on the behaviour of millions of distributed generating installations is therefore indispensable if the grid is to operate in a way that meets the needs of the energy transition. The same goes on the consumer side, for example for the integration of electric mobility.

Here, an important role is played by smart meters. As remotely communicating digital electricity meters, they permit the direct transmission of meter readings to consumers, grid operators, energy suppliers and energy service companies. The consumer gains a precise visualisation of his consumption patterns and can thus see every “wasted” kilowatt-hour. This can motivate him to behave in a way that saves energy. At the same time, smart meters permit the use of variable tariffs, in which the consumer gains economic incentives to use electricity when it’s cheapest. Smart meters also give the grid operators a precise insight into their electricity grid, enabling them to control generation and consumption facilities.

The Act on the Digitisation of the Energy Transition

The Act on the Digitisation of the Energy Transition lays down the legal requirements for the smart grid, smart meter and smart home in Germany. We are using it to enable the development of a digital infrastructure that is capable of connecting more than 1.5 million electricity producers and large-scale consumers. The new legislation centres on the introduction of smart meters. They will provide a secure communication platform which will make the electricity supply system fit for the energy transition. Particular importance is attached to data protection and data security – the Act contains the highest minimum technical requirements. The text of the Act can be found (in German) here (PDF, 264 KB).

You can find out more about this here.

SINTEG: Secure grids despite high shares of intermittent power generation

Across several model regions, the funding programme “Smart Energy Showcases - Digital Agenda for the Energy Transition” (SINTEG) is developing and demonstrating new approaches to safeguarding secure grid operation with high shares of intermittent power generation on the basis of wind and solar energy. It thus addresses key challenges of the energy transition including the integration of renewables into the system, flexibility, digitisation, system security, energy efficiency and the establishment of smart energy systems and market structures.

Five large “showcase regions” have been established in order to pool knowledge, experience and activities of different systems. The showcase regions are addressing the technical, economic and regulatory challenges posed by the energy transition over the coming decades and are designed to deliver model solutions which have been tried out in practice. These can provide a blueprint for the future development of the energy transition. Find out more.

Competition and regulation

Improved rules for cost-efficient investments

Our electricity and gas grids are “natural monopolies”: On their own, market forces do not result in free access for all market players and fair prices. For this reason, the grid infrastructure is subject to state regulation. That helps not only consumers, but also energy generators and traders.

The Incentive Regulation Ordinance exists to create competition in the monopoly sectors of electricity and gas supply, the grids, powerlines and pipelines. It ensures non-discriminatory access and competitive fees for use. Further to this, it sets incentives for grid operators to act economically and reduce their costs.

The Federal Government’s revised Incentive Regulation Ordinance has adapted the rules to meet the challenges of the energy transition. The goal remains the same: to expand the distribution grids quickly and cheaply. The main thrust of the ordinance is a modernisation of the investment framework for distribution grid operators. Improved consideration is now given to individual investment costs, and particularly efficient grid operators are rewarded with an extra bonus. You can find more information here.

Distribution system symbolizes the eletrcity market of the future

© BMWi/Holger Vonderlind

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Energy Grids Platform

Working together to develop joint solutions for grid expansion

Public acceptance of powerline construction, good planning and approval procedures for powerlines, the development of smart grids and meters, and the maintenance of secure grid operations: These are just a few of the key issues covered by the Energy Grids Platform. Since 2011, leading players in grid expansion – grid operators, administration and associations – have been working on joint solutions in the Platform.

The expansion of the grids is of paramount importance to the German government. Powerline construction is a key prerequisite for expanding electricity generation from renewable energies, and paves the way for European competition on the electricity market.

For this reason, the Energy Grids Platform aims to foster the modernisation and expansion of the electricity grid. You can find out more about the modus operandi, issues and results of the Platform here.

Further information

Arbeiter auf Strommast symbolisiert Netze und Netzausbau

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