Projektträger Jülich (project management agency Jülich), Jülich research centre GmbH

How does research ensure safe, climate-neutral and affordable electricity?

New electricity consumers are increasing the demand for electricity, while the feed-in from renewable sources of energy is fluctuating. In the video, researchers explain how the Electricity Transition Mission under the 8th Energy Research Programme of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action is tackling this challenge.

To achieve climate neutrality in Germany by 2045, sectors like mobility and heating will increasingly depend on electricity from renewable sources. This will raise electricity demand, while generation will vary based on time of day and weather conditions. Therefore, the efficiency and sustainability of solar and wind power systems are vital for ensuring a secure and stable electricity grid, as well as for the efficient storage and use of generated electricity. Additionally, the digital networking of decentralised power generation units with decentralised consumers is crucial, as it enables the alignment of production with consumption.“

In the video, Rüdiger Schwarz from Mittelhessen Netz (a company of Stadtwerke Gießen) explains how this can work in practice. Along with the project team from FlexQuartier and FlexQuartier2, he is working on a hybrid storage system that supplies electricity and heating to a neighbourhood with 400 connected homes. Joel Schölzel from RWTH Aachen University also explains why digitalisation is critical for a successful energy transition and how intelligent, systemic management of installations at the neighbourhood and distribution network level is essential.

The video on the YouTube channel “Energieforschung” (energy research) can be found here (in German only).