Next M-Grid

As a result of the German energy transition, urban distribution network operators are facing immense challenges over the next few years. For example, new electrical consumers (e.g. region-wide supply of electric charging stations for e-mobility, battery storage systems, heat pumps for low-energy houses) have to be connected to the distribution network and the consumption structure is changing (e.g. due to self-consumption of the electricity generated by PV systems) but also an increased use of generating facilities for the provision of control energy (virtual power plants and load management). These new requirements must be taken into account in future when designing urban distribution grids. The innovative planning/operation concepts and intelligent technologies used in rural distribution networks can only be used to a limited extent in the city network, as they primarily target the low voltage grid. In the city network, however, the energy transition takes place primarily in the medium voltage network and on the consumer side.

The research project focuses on identifying the challenges arising from the energy transition specific to urban distribution grids.