The energy transition in concrete terms: what grid operators can expect

The energy transition is here. The share of renewable energies in the EU will rise to 32 per cent by 2030. This will also fundamentally change the energy industry in Germany. Together with RWTH Aachen University, KPMG presents possible solutions for this situation in a white paper „Zukünftige Herausforderungen für Netzbetreiber in Deutschland“. 

With electric vehicles and heat pumps, for example, the number of energy consumers will continue to rise initially. In future, they will increasingly draw electricity from decentralised solar and wind energy plants, which are, however, heavily dependent on weather conditions. Nevertheless, it must be ensured that sufficient energy is always available where it is needed. In future, we will therefore also have to rely on systems that are capable of supplying electricity flexibly and as needed. There is currently no consensus in Germany on what this should look like in concrete terms. However, it is clear that significantly more measurement, control and communication technology will be required to operate such systems and monitor the electricity grids. The shortage of skilled workers is also creating a high demand for automation in this area.

Comprehensive digitalisation is a prerequisite for transforming electricity grids and their control. This includes, for example, consolidating generation and demand data in a community cloud. The information and operating technologies of electricity grid operators are becoming increasingly convergent. Nevertheless, the introduction of uniform data models for integrating measurement and operating equipment information remains a challenge, among other things. Added to this are the initially high investment costs of such a transformation and the significantly higher complexity of operation.

Increased digitalisation and automation raise the risk of potential cyber attacks on critical infrastructure. Faulty software updates, physical damage or improper maintenance can also cause serious disruptions. Operators must therefore take appropriate security measures in parallel with the transformation of the electricity grids. A resilient overall system is needed to maintain operations even in the event of a disruption. Last but not least, it is important to meet the requirements of increasing national and international security standards.

Find out more about the challenges mentioned here and suitable solutions, and benefit from our expertise. Download our white paper now. „Zukünftige Herausforderungen für Netzbetreiber in Deutschland“ down.