Germany‘s energy transition has to be affordable. In view of the continuing expansion of renewables, a number of questions arise that are crucial for future costs of our power system:
- Where should wind turbines and solar arrays be built – in the best sites or close to consumers?
- Does the expansion of renewables have to wait for grid expansion?
- What will happen if PV arrays with battery storage breakthrough on the market, and will we still need grids?
Agora Energiewende had Consentec look into these questions with the support of Fraunhofer IWES.
A number of scenarios were investigated up to 2033 based on the German Network Agency’s lead scenario for the Grid Development Plan 2013. In addition to the cost of renewable energy, the cost of grids, storage, and conventional power generation was taken into consideration.
The findings are quite interesting and offer some new and surprising insights even for experts. To facilitate further discussion, the assumptions used are published on the website.
