Germany’s TSOs to tap industrial flexibility

Germany’s four transmission system operators (TSOs) have developed a mechanism to enable large industrial energy users to contribute to system stability.

For the four TSOs, 50Hertz, Amprion, TenneT and TransnetBW, the voluntary participation of industry in providing load reduction potential provides an additional instrument to manage the grid in critical situations.

Large industrial users can select which load reduction potentials they will make available in order to avert possible controlled load shutdowns or to keep their impact as small as possible.

The advantage for participation by these large users is that they can better anticipate impending shutdowns and adapt their industrial processes accordingly.

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With their participation the risk is further reduced of such controlled load cut-offs due to insufficient power generation for the general public.

The move follows a mid-2022 system review by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BEIS) and subsequent recommendation by the TSOs.

To enable the process the four TSOs have activated a notification form for industrial companies on their websites. There the companies can indicate which consumptions they would voluntarily reduce and how much lead time they need to avoid damage or restrictions in their plants.

The mechanism was developed in coordination with representatives from industry, government and the regulator, the Federal Network Agency.

Alongside this development the TSOs also are engaged in a major transmission expansion, with around 14,000km of new powerlines planned, in particular to transport renewable energy generated in the north of Germany to other parts of the country.