Drop the Centralized Approach: Klaus Mindrup's New Vision for Germany's Energy Future
"Extensive Setup for Renewable Energy Infrastructure"
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Germany's stringent plans for new gas power plants have left many questioning their necessity. Klaus Mindrup, an experienced energy expert, is not among those who back these proposals. "I only call the firefighter when there's a fire," Mindrup remarks. His disapproval stems from the belief that the German energy system should be restructured entirely, eschewing the archaic centralized model in favor of a system that emulates more advanced regions, such as California.
ntv.de: The German grid operators are all in agreement: Katherina Reiche's plans for 20 gigawatts of new gas power plants are well-received. But, Klaus Mindrup seems less convinced. Why?
Mindrup opposes the construction of new gas power plants because he maintains that the energy system should be engineered to minimize the need for a "firefighter" like these plants. German politics tends to think in silos, planning the energy system in splintered sectors. If the system is approached holistically across sectors, cheaper and more effective alternatives can be found, according to Mindrup.
Because we're building a firefighter at every intersection?
The idea of a streamlined European power grid, consisting of many interlinked components that stabilize and secure each other, is flawed, according to Mindrup. He notes that a power system without storage will inevitably fail. Grid operators' beliefs to the contrary may be misguided.
That's probably what they're dealing with.
In a conversation with ntv, Mindrup highlighted problems in Germany's power grid. One issue is that, when there is an abundance of solar power production in the south and comparatively little in the north, the electricity needs to be transported to the north. Current lines are insufficient for this task, necessitating constant repairs.
The grid operators say: That will change as soon as we complete the network expansion.
Mindrup finds this optimism unfounded, as the planned expansion of high-voltage direct current lines only adds 10 gigawatts of transmission capacity over the next ten years. In contrast, the solar expansion last year was twice as large. Network expansion is desirable but insufficient to design a grid capable of handling renewable energy feed-in, he states.
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In place of a centralized network expansion, Mindrup advocates for a cellular approach, which would allow smaller grids to gradually interconnect. This system has the advantage of being more adaptable and stable, as it takes into account the inherent challenges of managing renewable energy sources. But, unfortunately, the centralized concept of a massive copper plate grid has gained traction in politics, to Mindrup's dismay.
Because the large network is too unstable and a lot of energy is lost over longer distances?
A large network is susceptible to both technical and trade manipulations, as experts warn. Furthermore, a cellular system is generally considered more robust. Individual networks functioning independently during a crisis, like the one noted in New York after Hurricane "Sandy" in 2012, provide evidence of this system's inherent resilience.
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Power plants are a complex issue, and fixing them requires nuanced solutions. For instance, the hasty construction of gas power plants might not be the best approach. Ideally, hydrogen or biogas would be used for backup purposes during power shortages, rather than gas. Additionally, coupling heat utilization can reduce the need for an additional fire brigade, making the system more affordable and efficient overall.
History of Power Plants in Germany
In the past, power plants were designed to function only as power generators. But, batteries are capable of serving multiple roles, acting as stabilizers, energy storers, and even providers of reactive power. Unfortunately, they are not recognized as part of the infrastructure in Germany. In California, on the other hand, 85% of battery storage is operated by utilities, ensuring a vested interest in stabilizing the power grid with their batteries.
So, you're saying that having batteries operated by utilities would be beneficial for Germany?
It is demonstrably more cost-effective for battery storage to manage both power grid stability and power trading. However, Germany's power grid is poorly managed, with extensive and often short-term corrective measures taken because transport and trade are not coupled. In contrast, California has implemented a system where people know largely 24 hours in advance how the system will run, allowing for better planning and less ntensive work.
Power price zones?
In the power markets outside Europe, power generation and capacity of the lines are considered together when selling power. This practice eliminates redispatch costs, which amount to between two and four billion euros annually in Germany alone.
That sounds complicated.
In reality, it's simpler than Germany's system. By coupling transport and trade, extensive corrective measures can be avoided, and people in California can predict the system's operation hours in advance, allowing for a better quality of life. Implementing this system in Europe would be feasible.
Clara Pfeffer and Christian Herrmann interviewed Klaus Mindrup for ntv's "Klima-Labor" podcast. In the podcast, various claims and ideas regarding climate protection, job creation, and public opinion are tested.
Klima-Labor by ntv - A podcast that provides information, humor, and clarity about climate protection every Thursday on ntv and various podcast platforms, such as RTL, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and RSS-Feed. Have questions for Clara Pfeffer and Christian Herrmann? Send them to [email protected] or contact them directly.
- Renewable Energy
- Energy Storage
- Gas Power Plants
- California Energy Policy
- Energy Transition (Energiewende)
- Distributed Energy Systems
- Power Grids
- Smart Grid
- Klaus Mindrup advocates for a cellular approach to energy system design, suggesting smaller, interconnected grids that are more adaptable and stable, particularly in managing renewable energy sources, in contrast to the current centralized concept of a large copper plate grid.
- In California, 85% of battery storage is operated by utilities, ensuring a vested interest in stabilizing the power grid with their batteries, whereas in Germany, batteries are not recognized as part of the infrastructure, and extensive and often short-term corrective measures are taken due to the mismanagement of the power grid.
