The ambitious goals of climate neutrality by 2045 and the associated transformation of industry and the energy system require a jointly coordinated development of the infrastructures for electricity, gas and hydrogen. The comprehensive reorganisation of the energy landscape will lead to numerous new projects, consumers, producers and storage facilities.
In order to offer these players planning security with regard to the future energy supply, it is crucial that the transmission system operators (TSOs) and distribution system operators (DSOs) are aware of the specific needs of the industry. By participating in the market survey, the notifying parties also support the planning of the integrated energy system of the future.
In the first joint survey using specially developed web applications, the TSOs and TSOs will ask existing and potential customers about their future requirements for electricity and hydrogen. Based on this information, the grid operators can develop the corresponding infrastructure in line with demand and thus ensure a reliable energy supply for the future.
The survey aims to collect information on future hydrogen production (including power-to-gas plants), storage and utilisation as well as the electricity consumption of large-scale consumers (including large-scale battery storage) of individual market participants DSOs. The grid operators define large consumers of electricity as companies with a future connected load of 10 MW or more. Market participants are called upon to report their requirements by 22 March 2024.
Enquiry platform: Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) supports market enquiry
"For network development planning in the electricity, gas and hydrogen sectors, the most accurate possible forecast of future developments is the most important basis for meaningful results", says Klaus Müller, President of the Bundesnetzagentur. "The Federal Network Agency expressly supports the joint enquiry by the transmission system operators and distribution system operators and would like to encourage active feedback from the market participants addressed. A standardised and channelled reporting of projects via the platform helps immensely to create a robust common data basis and thus further improve the quality and reliability of grid development planning."
In accordance with the Energy Industry Act, the DSOs and TSOs are responsible for drawing up the network development plans (NDPs) for electricity, gas and hydrogen, at the beginning of which scenario frameworks are defined. Specific requirements and national energy and climate policy objectives play a decisive role in this.
In preparation for the preparation of the 2024 scenario framework, the DSOs and TSOs will conduct the market survey of existing and potential customers from 7 February 2024 to 22 March 2024 via the query platform. At the beginning, they will provide detailed information. In addition, TSOs and DSOs will offer a joint public webinar on 14 February at 14:00 to answer questions from market participants and DSOs. Registration is possible from 7 February via the query platform.