Abstract:

In this paper, Agora Verkehrswende, Agora Energiewende and Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) summarise the conclusions from a jointly commissioned analysis of distribution grid planning for the energy transition, with a focus on electromobility and offer wider considerations on the topic. The research was undertaken by contractors Navigant, Kompetenzzentrum Elektromobilität and RE-xpertise. The key findings from the study are such that the energy transition is facing two major challenges with regard to power distribution:

1. Power peaks occur when high levels of solar and wind are fed into the grid on days with favourable weather conditions.

2. Heat pumps and electrified transport cause increases in peak loads with high coincidence factors and power draw.

As a result, the peak network capacity needed to meet demand increases. Viewed through the lens of conventional grid planning, these three drivers - feed-in from renewable energy sources, and the additional demand from heat pumps and from electric vehicles – would indicate that the electricity distribution grid needs to be expanded.