© Adobe Stock / Feodora

The energy transition toolbox

For four years, the ‘Smart Energy’ showcases developed solutions across Germany for the energy system of the future. The evaluation of the results is to be completed in May 2022.

In five model regions (also dubbed “showcases”) all around Germany, solutions were tested for the energy transition which can serve as blueprints for other regions and other energy transition projects. The showcase regions were to pool knowledge, experience, undertake joint activities, address the technical, economic and regulatory challenges posed by the energy transition over the coming decades and try out the model solutions in practice.

Evaluation of SINTEG findings to be completed in May 2022

The focus was primarily on secure and efficient network operation where there are high proportions of renewable energy, efficient and flexible use of electricity (on the market and the network side), the appropriate interplay of all stakeholders in the smart energy grid, the rational use of the existing grid structure, and the reduction of the need to expand the distribution grids.

The comprehensive evaluation of the results of the funding programme, which finished in 2021, is to be completed and published in May 2022.

In future, given the increasing ambition of the climate targets and the progress on the energy transition. it will become more and more important to identify the right options amongst a host of different solutions and instruments. This is only possible if the process involves not only energy experts, but also the general public.

The more modern the energy system, the more possibilities to take part

The SINTEG programme also investigated how this can work. The findings show the conditions in which people are willing to play an active part in the energy transition. The more digital and flexible the energy system, the more varied their opportunities to contribute. For example, trials were carried out to see how households can design their electricity consumption flexibly, e.g. using flexible electricity tariffs or by marketing their flexible electricity consumption on special platforms.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provided around €200 million in funding for the five SINTEG showcases. This meant that, together with the investment from the participating companies, more than half a billion euros was invested in the digitalisation of the energy sector.