The eastern German states are pioneers in the expansion of renewable energies. The distribution grid operators of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Flächennetzbetreiber Ost (ARGE FNB Ost), which also includes the municipal grid operators from Berlin and Hamburg, play a key role in the success of the energy transition. Grid expansion in the region is crucial for the economy as a whole in order to integrate electricity from renewable energy sources into the electricity grid and make it usable, even as generation increases, and to realize the electrification of heating and transport. On April 30, 2024, the distribution system operators of ARGE FNB Ost published their respective grid expansion plans (NAP 2024) for the high-voltage grid.
The expansion is carried out according to the so-called “network optimization before reinforcement before expansion” (NOVA) principle: First, it is checked whether it is possible to increase the capacity of existing lines, for example by replacing the conductor cables. Only then will more extensive upgrades to the substations and lines be carried out and new buildings planned.
ARGE FNB Ost assumes that the distribution system operators will continue to develop their grid expansion plans over the next few years, as grid planning is a dynamic process that must be constantly adapted to changing targets, legal requirements, current developments and new findings. For example, the regional design of municipal heating planning is not expected to be included in the grid expansion plans until 2026.
Almost one hundred percent of ARGE FNB Ost’s installed generation capacity from renewable energy sources
The distribution grid operators are therefore aware that grid expansion is an ongoing challenge. Already today, almost one hundred percent of the installed generation capacity in the grids of ARGE FNB Ost comes from renewable energy sources. Digital solutions for smart grid operation are currently being driven forward, processes are being streamlined, more specialists are being hired and qualified, additional service providers are being contracted and procurement strategies are being adapted. Companies are confronted with a lack of resources, demographic change and lengthy approval processes. These framework conditions influence the pace of grid expansion.
ARGE FNB OST therefore also appeals to politicians to create consistent guidelines and framework conditions and to review and adapt the legal and regulatory framework. In the interests of the people and the business location of eastern Germany, a secure, cost-effective and climate-friendly energy mix of electricity and green molecules should be used. The planning of measures must also be simplified in the medium voltage. In addition, regional storage solutions are required on a large scale in order to at least partially absorb the increase in generation until the high and extra-high voltage grid is sufficiently expanded. In terms of the efficiency of grid planning and grid expansion, the further expansion of large ground-mounted photovoltaic systems in the eastern planning region must be better controlled. Appropriate legal framework conditions should be created in the near future.
Furthermore, it is important to focus on the most urgent measures in close coordination with 50Hertz Transmission GmbH and the downstream distribution grid operators. In addition, new measures will be added that do not result from the regional scenario and are not included in the NAP.
The NAP 2024 is based on studies in the joint regional scenario from June 2023. These show which supply tasks the distribution system operators organized in the Eastern planning region expect to perform by 2045. Among other things, it can be seen that the high generation of renewable energy systems does not always coincide with the consumption of grid customers, although consumption will also rise sharply due to the increase in heat pumps and electromobility.
The NAP 2024 and the regional scenarios of the distribution system operators can be found here.
BACKGROUND
Planning region East
17 distribution system operators with ≥ 100,000 customers directly and indirectly connected to their electricity grids form the Eastern planning region; these are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “distribution system operators of the planning region”. The eastern planning region covers an area of 110,000 km² and includes the federal states of Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia and the Free Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The region is home to 18 million inhabitants. The eastern planning region is largely rural, but also includes urban areas, large cities and industrial locations. There are around 140 distribution system operators in the eastern planning region, which are taken into account in the planning of the distribution system operators in the planning region. Grid interfaces exist with the transmission system operator 50Hertz Transmission GmbH.
About the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Flächennetzbetreiber Ost (ARGE FNB Ost)
The large distribution system operators in the east of Germany joined forces in 2012 to form ARGE FNB Ost. Together, they want to create a “laboratory for the energy transition” in north-east Germany, a model region for which solutions for safe, reliable system operation are being developed in joint research and pilot projects. ARGE FNB Ost has developed and tested solutions for the many common challenges posed by the energy transition under the motto: “Safe together. Safe together”, ARGE FNB Ost has developed and tested solutions for the many common challenges posed by the energy transition. The projects initiated jointly by ARGE FNB Ost range from solutions for intelligent load management in relation to electromobility to issues of voltage stability and future control power provision. The results and findings of this unique nationwide collaboration will be made available on the website www.arge-fnb-ost.de.
Member companies of ARGE FNB OST
Avacon Netz GmbH
E.DIS Netz GmbH
SachsenNetze HS.HD GmbH
Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Strom mbH
Netze Magdeburg GmbH
Stromnetz Berlin GmbH
Stromnetz Hamburg GmbH
TEN Thüringer Energienetze GmbH & Co. KG
WEMAG Netz GmbH