TransnetBW CEO: Financial Incentives Crucial for Successful Energy Transition
Werner Götz, CEO of TransnetBW, emphasizes the need for financial incentives to motivate electricity consumers to participate in the energy transition. He believes that legal changes and new opportunities for grid operators are essential in this regard.
Balancing Supply and Demand
Götz highlights that both electricity generation and consumption fluctuate, with generation being primarily influenced by weather conditions. While gas-fired power plants can help regulate generation, addressing consumption patterns is equally important.
Incentivizing Flexibility
To encourage consumers to adjust their consumption, economic incentives are necessary. Götz suggests that even small adjustments can have a significant impact when orchestrated effectively. He believes quantifying and rewarding such flexibility would greatly enhance the transition process.
Smart Meters: Essential for Monitoring and Control
Götz emphasizes the importance of smart meters, intelligent devices that monitor electricity consumption. "Without smart meters, we cannot measure or control consumption," he says. Their widespread installation is crucial for enabling targeted interventions.
Germany Lagging Behind
Götz acknowledges that Germany is lagging behind in smart meter adoption, attributing this to the country’s thorough approach in addressing data protection and IT security concerns. While thoroughness is important, a more pragmatic and expedited approach could accelerate the transition.
Smart Meter Rollout by 2032
According to the plan, all households in Germany should be equipped with smart meters by 2032. Grid operators are responsible for meeting prescribed quotas for their installation.
Netze BW, for instance, currently has approximately 140,000 smart meters in operation. The company expects to meet the required quota of 20% by the end of 2025.
Data Collection on Smart Meter Deployment
The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) collects data on the rollout of smart meters. However, many smaller companies, including municipal utilities, have not consented to the publication of their data.
Empowering Grid Operators
Götz calls for regulatory changes to empower grid operators to introduce financial incentives for consumers. He believes that the necessary legal framework and technical solutions can be developed in collaboration with policymakers and BNetzA.
Conclusion
Financial incentives, widespread smart meter adoption, and empowering grid operators are critical elements for a successful energy transition. By orchestrating small-scale flexibility, leveraging smart technologies, and addressing regulatory hurdles, Germany can accelerate its transition to a sustainable energy system.
