Power systems operation with high penetration of renewable energy - the German case

Abstract

In Germany, the revised Renewable Energy Act obliges network operators to connect wind farms to their network, even when network capacity already is completely used up temporarily by renewable electricity. In the latter case, and in times of excessive generation, wind farms connected to respective network sections may be curtailed by the network operator. This introduces significant uncertainties for project development and financing. The paper assesses implications and challenges related to this regulation for near term wind energy development in Germany. Open questions and possible approaches to tackle them are described.