'Grid Development Plan' Working Group.

Under the direction of dena, the ‘Grid Development Plan’ working group has developed recommendations for a scenario framework relating to the first 2012 Grid Development Plan. German transmission grid operators are required to submit such a Plan for the first time in 2012. The Grid Development Plan shall present the expansion measures necessary to ensure secure and reliable operation of the transmission grid in the coming decade. The preparation of the Grid Development Plan is based on a scenario framework for the development of electricity production capacities in Germany in the coming ten years that covers the whole spectrum of feasible developments in respect of the German Federal Government’s medium to long-term energy policy goals.

‘Grid Development Plan’ working group (AG Netzentwicklungsplan)

With the aim of speeding up the development of solutions for future challenges regarding the expansion of power grids in Germany, a ‘Sustainable power grid’ platform has been established. The platform brings together key representatives from the fields of business, Federal and Federal State institutions as well as business, consumer and environmental associations who analyse these challenges and suggest feasible solutions. dena is in charge of the ‘Grid Development Plan’ working group, one of eight working groups established in the context of the platform.

Scenario framework for the 2012 Grid Development Plan

Grid planning is principally based on the forecast of the main parameters affecting the grid in the medium to long term. The legal framework conditions now require German transmission grid operators to submit a scenario framework in the context of the annual Grid Development Plan which they are obliged to prepare as of the year 2012. Based on a minimum of three development paths, the scenario framework reflects the range of feasible developments of the German power supply system. With regard to the expansion of the renewable energy sources, the ‘Grid Development Plan’ working group, under the direction of dena, recommended central parameter sets for the scenario framework based on three possible development paths. This recommendation was presented at the plenary meeting of the platform at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology on 5 July 2011.One of the suggested development paths is based on analysis of Federal State targets relating to the expansion of renewable energy sources.