Energie
Electricity distribution grid in transition

In practice, this means that, in addition to the integration of an increasing number of decentralized power generation facilities such as photovoltaic (PV) and wind power, the demand for electricity generated by a growing number of electric vehicles and heat pumps will rise dramatically in the coming years. This development places high demands on the future electricity distribution grid—demands that have never before been seen on this scale. Whereas in the past, electricity often flowed only from large central power plants to consumers via transmission and distribution grids, today’s grids must handle electricity transmission in multiple directions. Consequently, new solutions must be found both for grid monitoring and for managing a significantly changing supply-demand structure. Grid operators are therefore forced to adapt their grids and operational management to these rapidly changing requirements within a very short timeframe. Addressing these challenges solely through grid expansion would be neither economically viable nor feasible within such a short timeframe.  

Innovation is key

The task, therefore, is to develop intelligent solutions for the cost-effective modernization of electricity distribution grids that can be implemented quickly and, ideally, will reduce grid operators’ operating and investment costs in the long term. Brainpower over brute force. How much measurement technology needs to be installed to make sufficiently accurate assessments of the distribution grid’s condition? How can the potential offered by nearly 45 million “mobile energy storage units” in our electric vehicles be utilized as efficiently as possible? To what extent can grid-optimized control of consumption devices such as heat pumps and charging stations relieve the burden on our power grids and reduce or at least delay costly grid expansion?  

As an urban metropolis with many large industrial consumers, Hamburg is a major electricity consumer and must receive significant amounts of electricity, for example from Schleswig-Holstein. Due to the decommissioning of Hamburg’s large power plants, such as Moorburg, and the simultaneous increase in power demand from industrial customers as well as the transportation and heating sectors, the Hamburg grid operator will gain new interconnection points to the transmission grid and significantly expand its own grid structure, which currently spans approximately 30,000 km.

Project Development with Academia and Industry 

hysolutions works closely with partners from industry, research, and the various distribution network operators to address the key questions of the energy transition and develops and coordinates innovation projects, e.g., within the framework of the 8th Energy Research Program. The focus is on how grids can be designed more intelligently to meet future requirements. Through our network, which has grown over nearly two decades, we bring together key stakeholders from industry and politics to jointly shape the power grid of the future for the city of Hamburg.