News
29.01.2024
Integrated network planning for the energy system of the future: First joint market survey by TSOs starts on February 7, 2024
The ambitious goals of climate neutrality by 2045 and the associated transformation of industry and the energy system require a jointly coordinated development of the infrastructures for electricity, gas and hydrogen. The comprehensive restructuring of the energy landscape is leading to numerous new projects, consumers, producers and storage facilities. In order to offer these players planning security with regard to the future energy supply, it is crucial that the electricity and gas transmission system operators (TSOs) know the specific needs of the industry. By participating in the market survey, the reporting parties also support the planning of the integrated energy system of the future.
Press release by the Association of Transmission System Operators for Gas (FNB Gas e.V.)
The TSOs are now setting a milestone for sector coupling with the first joint survey of infrastructure requirements for electricity and hydrogen. The network operators will use specially developed web applications to ask existing and potential customers about their future needs. Based on this information, the grid operators can develop the corresponding infrastructure in line with demand and thus ensure a reliable energy supply for the future.
Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, supports the joint market survey as the approval authority: “For network development planning in the electricity, gas and hydrogen sectors, the most important basis for meaningful results is a forecast of future developments that is as accurate as possible. The Federal Network Agency expressly supports the joint survey of the transmission system operators and would like to encourage active feedback from the market participants addressed. A standardized and channeled reporting of projects via the platform helps immensely to create a robust common data basis and thus further improve the quality and reliability of grid development planning.”
In accordance with the Energy Industry Act, the TSOs are responsible for drawing up the network development plans (NDPs) for electricity, gas and hydrogen. Scenario frameworks are defined at the beginning of each NDP, with specific requirements and national energy and climate policy objectives playing a decisive role. In preparation for the preparation of the 2024 scenario framework, the TSOs will conduct the market survey with existing and potential customers from February 7, 2024 to March 22, 2024.
The survey aims to collect information on future hydrogen production (including power-to-gas plants), storage and use as well as electricity consumption by large-scale consumers (including large-scale battery storage) of individual market participants and distribution system operators (DSOs). The TSOs define large consumers of electricity as companies with a future connected load of 10 megawatts or more. Market participants are invited to report their requirements by March 22, 2024.
At the start of the joint query platform on February 7, 2024, the TSOs will provide detailed information. In addition, the TSOs will offer a joint public webinar on February 14 at 2:00 p.m. to answer questions from market participants and DSOs. Registrations are possible from February 7 via the query platform.
The full press release and further information and downloads are available on the FNB Gas e.V. website. (link)