Abstract
In this paper, we analyze the interdependence between the structure of transmission infrastructure and the electricity mix, applied to the case of Germany today and into the future. In particular, we are interested in how an energy system based on a high share of distributed renewable sources operates under different transmission regimes, for example, copper plate or more constrained network topologies. We develop a stylized model of optimal generation and storage investment and operation, under different transmission expansion scenarios (current state, 2035 with and without HVDC lines, and copper plate). We take real data of the German electricity system, characterized by a particularly high share of distributed renewables, and select an extreme value for the future, that is, 100% renewable. Results suggest that the system can accommodate the high share of renewables, by installing a large amount of short-term and long-term storage capacities. Renewable electricity capacity investment is inversely related to the state of transmission expansion, and so is storage investment. The high level of granularity of the model also allows for a spatial allocation of renewable capacities, where wind is placed mainly in the north and solar PV rather in the south. The few cases of transmission congestion suggest that by expanding the grid modestly, a high share of renewable can be accommodated. The paper ends with a discussion of model constraints and further research ideas.
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Notes
- 1.
Naturschutzbund Deutschland e. V. (2019): “Stellungnahme zum NEP Strom 2030”
- 2.
In this analysis, we refer to scenario B 2035 of the NDP.
- 3.
Demand-side management, another important flexibility option, is not covered in this chapter.
Abbreviations
- \(\text {AC}\) :
-
Alternating current
- \(\text {DC}\) :
-
Direct current
- \(\text {FLH}\) :
-
Full load hour
- \(\text {HVDC}\) :
-
High-voltage direct-current
- \(\text {lib}\) :
-
Lithium-ion battery
- \(\text {lib}\) :
-
Lithium-ion batteries
- \(\text {NDP}\) :
-
Network development plan
- \(\text {NGO}\) :
-
Non-governmental organization
- \(\text {NUTS2}\) :
-
Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, Level 2
- \(\text {p2g}\) :
-
Power-to-gas
- \(\text {phes}\) :
-
Pumped hydroelectric energy storage
- \(\text {pv-open}\) :
-
Open-space photovoltaics
- \(\text {pv-roof}\) :
-
Rooftop photovoltaics
- \(\text {PV}\) :
-
Photovoltaic
- \(\text {RES}\) :
-
Renewable energy sources
- \(\text {rfb}\) :
-
Redox flow battery
- \(\text {rfb}\) :
-
Redox flow batteries
- \(\text {ror}\) :
-
Run-of-river
- \(\text {TSO}\) :
-
Transmission system operator
- \(\text {TYNDP}\) :
-
Ten-Year Network Development Plan
- \(\text {wind-off}\) :
-
Offshore wind
- \(\text {wind-on}\) :
-
Onshore wind
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Acknowledgements
This work was carried out as part of the project “Long-term planning and short-term optimization of the German electricity system within the European framework: further development of methods and models to analyze the electricity system including the heat and gas sector,” funded through grant “LKD-EU,” FKZ 03ET4028A, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. The authors would like to thank Alexander Roth for comments. The usual disclaimer applies.
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1.1 Model Nodes
Table 4 gives an overview of all NUTS2 area codes in Germany used as nodes in the model.
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Weibezahn, J., Kendziorski, M., Kramer, H., von Hirschhausen, C. (2020). The Impact of Transmission Development on a 100% Renewable Electricity Supply—A Spatial Case Study on the German Power System. In: Hesamzadeh, M.R., Rosellón, J., Vogelsang, I. (eds) Transmission Network Investment in Liberalized Power Markets. Lecture Notes in Energy, vol 79. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47929-9_15
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