Study shows that the distribution networks do not currently have the characteristics needed for reliable and secure supply from 2030.

03/09/2023

Source: Energy & Management Powernews

The power grids must be expanded quickly so that they do not slow down the energy transition. Especially in the distribution networks, a study sees deficits.

On behalf of the Association of the Electrical and Digital Industry (ZVEI), a study by the consulting firm PWC has looked at the future of electricity grids in Germany. It comes to the conclusion that the distribution grids currently do not have the characteristics required for reliable and secure supply from 2030. If the number of electric vehicles and heat pumps planned for 2030 were connected now, it would bring the grids to their knees.

"We currently assume a power gap in the grids of 80,000 MW across all voltage levels. By 2030, massive investments are therefore needed in this critical infrastructure that is so important for the energy turnaround - at least 100 billion euros," said Wolfgang Weber, Chairman of the ZVEI Board of Management, explaining the findings.

First and foremost, he said, it is important to have a future-proof target picture in mind. "Our study defines precisely this as a climate neutrality network that coordinates generation and consumption multidirectionally, temporally as well as spatially, and enables sector coupling - across all voltage levels, stakeholders and technologies."

Also important: flexibilities and storage

The crucial requirements for the "power grids of the future" - as the study is titled - include the provision of reliable grid and energy status data in real time, the system-serving use of flexibilities for more efficient grid utilization, and the provision of storage capacities, for example through bidirectional charging of electric cars.

That is why targeted investments should first be made in the digitization of the grids. Only in this way can the physical expansion, which is also necessary, be precisely adapted to the greatest bottlenecks. At the same time, digitization already forms the basis for flexible electricity tariffs from which all end consumers can benefit.

The authors also say that an acceleration package and clever specialist and further training concepts are needed for the swift, fluid and reliable planning of the transformation to a climate-neutral grid. Weber: "Instead of being stuck in eternal procedures, the grid expansion must move forward quickly."

Author: Günter Drewnitzky