1. Influence of Increasing Renewable
Generation on German Distribution Grids
First experiences
Toronto, June 8th 2012
Future of Energy Summit – Track 2: Grid of the future
Dr. Stefan Küppers
RWE Rhein-Ruhr Netzservice GmbH
RWE Rhein-Ruhr Netzservice 8th of June 2012 PAGE 1

2. Ambitious, achievable German targets concerning renewable
generation and energy efficiency
Basic points of the German energy transition Generation mix 2011
(energy)
> Reduction of greenhouse-gas 20 % 18 %
emissions by 40% in 2020 and by nuclear
4% lignite
80-95% in 2050 compared to 1990
coal
14 % 25 % gas
> 80% renewable generation in 2050;
others
35% in 2020
19 % renewable
> Reduction of primary energy
consumption by 20% until 2020 and by
50% until 2050 compared to 2008 Generation mix 2050
German policy target
20 % (energy)
> Reduction of emissions caused by
traffic until 2020 by 10% and until 2050
by 40%. 6 Million electrical vehicles in conventional
2030. renewable
80 %
Source: AGEB
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3. Increase of renewable generation: Almost half of the
consumed power is generated by renewables
photovoltaic wind conventional generation
Generation
MW
5/25/2012 5/26/2012 5/27/2012 5/28/2012 5/29/2012
> On the last weekend of May 2012 almost half of the consumed energy in Germany
was generated by photovoltaic
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4. Local, renewable generation is mostly connected to
distribution network
Future structure of German supply system
> Political driven extension of renewable
Foreign
Transmission
generation reduces the number of
country
conventional power plants
Grid
> Large amount of generation is directly
fed into distribution grids
> Renewable generation produces high
grid loads especially within distribution
grids
Distribution
> Strong regionalization of renewable M
Grid
G M G
generation due to dependency on
primary energy sources (sun, wind …)
M
> Feedback from lower to higher grid
G M G
levels is already occurring today
(especially in low load situations)
> Distribution grids are mainly effected by today´s energy transition in Germany
In 2010 and 2011 there were 250.000/a new PV plants connected!
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5. Smart meter field trial
Project: “Mülheim zählt“
„Mülheim zählt“ Monthly data online
customer access
>Installation and operation of Digital Pictureframe
100.000 Smart Meter
>Automatic readout of meter data PC-Software
Inhouse communication
over distance
>Usage of PLC* as a cost- PLC
efficient communication
Data Concentrator
technology MUC
>Visualization of customer
energy consumption erweiterbar
Gas Wasser Wärme
Idea
>Testing a sustainable, modular, Meter
standardized technology concept Targets
Option >Transparency of energy consumption
>Influence load and generation >Detection of optimization potentials
>Standardization of the tested technology
*PLC = Powerline communication >Field trial of new products (e.g. tariffs)
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6. Combine local load and generation with market signals
Project „E-DeMa“
Test laboratory Duisburg: Use of E-DeMa components Test laboratory Essen-Kettwig:
„GW2-customer“ with micro-cogeneration in Mülheim Inhouse communication
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7. Smart Grid solutions to face future challenges
Project: “Smart Country”
1. Demonstration and validation
Smart Solutions 2. Adoption of efficient solutions for planning
and operation purposes
observability bio gas storage
> Observability
optimization of network
control
> Bio Gas Storage
decoupling of generation and
consumption
> Middle-/Low Voltage Voltage Controller Strong cable connection
Controller
Maximization of asset
capacity utilization
> Strong cable connection
Increase of connection
capacity for renewable
generation
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8. Extreme flexibility of the system is necessary to balance the
future renewable generation
Examplary characteristics of not-assessable generation and load (left side) as well as resulting residual load (right
side) of a week in april 2030* - Scenario: Energy concept Germany and BMU study
90 not-assessable solar 40 residual load
GW
80 generation and load wind - onshore
wind - offshore 30
GW
70 cogeneration
biomass 20
60
geothermal
50 water 10
40 load 0
30 37 GW
-10
20
10 -20
0 -30 4h
Th Fr Sa Th Fr Sa
> Renewable generation causes high and fast fluctuations of residual load
> Concept for control of renewable generation necessary (partly already existing today)
> Flexible and controllable power plants (central and local) and storages needed to follow
residual load and to stabilize the system
*Source: BDEW-study
„Bewertung der Flexibilitäten von Stromerzeugungs- und KWK-Anlagen“;
Authors: CONSENTEC and IAEW der RWTH Aachen; October 2011
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9. Thank you very much
for your attention!
Dr. Stefan Küppers
RWE Rhein-Ruhr Netzservice GmbH
Email: stefan.kueppers@rwe.com
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