The scale-up of renewable energies presents a new challenge for our power grids, which need to be optimised, strengthened and extended. This work must go hand in hand with a harmonisation of the various interests, always with the goal of boosting renewably sourced electricity. Over 40 companies, organisations, associations and initiatives have therefore united to draw up recommendations for the integration of renewables into the grid.

In an initial declaration  on 1 December 2009 the members of the Forum for the grid integration of renewable energies defined the forum's targets, background and work processes: "Our goal is to make the necessary conversions to the power grid in a way which is as compatible as possible with the needs of the individual and nature and is low in potential for conflict, while at the same time creating the necessary environment for the effective and reasonably priced integration of renewable energies." The recommendations for action should help "to drive the scale-up of renewable energies with as broad a social consensus as possible - so that environmental protection and the energy revolution do not fail because of a lack of grid infrastructure."

The forum will primarily consider the following issues:

• Construction of new electric transmission lines
• Possible ways of optimizing the grid
• Extension of cross-border connections
• Increase in storage capacity

dena is actively involved in the Forum for the grid integration of renewable energies.

Further information is available in German at www.forum-netzintegration.de