Projects

Funding application support for Stadtwerke Heidelberg

Grid operators and energy providers are becoming increasingly active in facing the challenges imposed by the growing share of decentralized generation and the increasing importance of information and communication technology for their business. Stadtwerke Heidelberg plan to realize innovative concepts in the areas of urban district supply, mobility and connected energy data services.

For Stadtwerke (municipal utility) Heidelberg, three proposals for national funding initiatives have been developed and prepared. One proposals aims to study and test a building block consisting of a combined battery storage unit and adjustable local grid transformer. In another proposal, Stadtwerke Heidelberg is going to develop and study an Open Source data platform for real time energy data. Thirdly, former barracks shall be converted into an “energy quarter” with integrated data- and mobility concept, an approach unique in Europe.

Task:
Conceptual development of the proposals together with Stadtwerke Heidelberg and production of proposals ready for submission.

Customer: Stadtwerke Heidelberg

Year: 2016

Umweltbundesamt - Overview and oriented assessment of decentral energy management systems

The energy sector is in the state of radical change, driven by technical developments like (distributed) renewable energies, digitalization and political goals as climate protection and opting out nuclear energy. Within this process, only in Germany more than 1.5 million of decentralized power stations were developed, with a rising trend. These decentralized plants are increasingly equipped with intelligent control devices, which perform controlling tasks beyond the mere assurance of the functional capability of power stations. So, e.g. consumers and storage devices are settled in a such way that own consumption of electricity from decentralized plants will be maximized.

The short study, which was compiled together with Öko-Institut in Freiburg, provides an overview of decentral energy management systems and a classification in terms of their ability to support overall system integration. A representative selection of systems is evaluated qualitatively and in an exemplary way with regard to their impact on different areas of the electricity system. These includes the impact on the electricity grid, the flexibility needed in the system and effects on energy consumption. This is followed by an overview of relevant ecological and social sustainability indicators. In the outlook the open questions are outlined, which should be answered within the long study on this theme.

Task:

Creation of a short study with an overview of decentral energy management systems, presentation of results for the customer, link to the study

Customer: German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt (UBA)), Dessau

Year: 2016

Scoping Mission on a Regional Strategy and Action Plan on Energy Efficiency in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

The Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are mostly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which share a number of challenges in their sustainable development. Energy intensity of the Caribbean is among the highest in the world. High unexploited energy efficiency potential exists in all elements of the value added chain of the energy sector (energy production, transmission and distribution, as well as end use). Previous attempts to increase energy efficiency on both national and regional level lack coordination and did not lead to the expected results. Therefore, the need to develop a regional policy and strategy on energy efficiency was recognized.

European Union Energy Initiative (EUEI) received a request from the CARICOM Secretariat in February 2016 for providing technical assistance to develop a regional policy and strategy on energy efficiency for the CARICOM Member States. To expedite the request, a scoping mission was conducted in order to evaluate the feasibility of the received request. The Scoping Mission provided an overview of energy sector of all CARICOM Member States as well as an understanding of challenges with energy efficiency measures in the region. Previous initiatives and projects on both regional and national level were assessed. The institutional capacity in the region was assessed.

Methods applied incorporate desk research and a survey among key stakeholders in the region through face-to-face, phone or Skype interviews.

The results including recommendations were documented in a report and a presentation. Terms of Reference for the development of a regional energy efficiency strategy were drafted.

Task: elaboration of a report with problem evaluation and recommendations; drafting of Terms of Reference for developing a regional strategy and action plan on energy efficiency

Customer: European Union Energy Initiative Project Development Facility (EUEI PDF), Eschborn, Germany

Year: 2016

Regulatory Support for Renewable Energy Regulatory Framework and Grid Integration

The energy sector of Kosovo features unreliable and conventional electricity supply that is based on fossil fuels. The quick development of renewable energies can satisfy the increasing energy demand and contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The Energy Regulatory Office of Kosovo has put in place feed-in tariffs for renewable energy technologies. Though it resulted in increased interest from the private sector, numerous regulatory uncertainties often prevented project realization. Within the project, which was carried out in collaboration between Fichtner GmbH and Dr. Langniß – Energie & Analyse, the existing tariff structure for renewable energy technologies and district heating was revised and updated. A grid integration study was also carried out. Workshops with workers of regulatory authorities in Kosovo and presentation of the results were also part of the project.

Task:

Development of a model for district heating tariffs, comprehensive review of regulatory framework for renewable energy and plan for streamlining, grid integration study, on-site workshops

Customer: Kosovo Ministry of Economic Development on behalf of the Energy Regulatory Office and World Bank

Year:
2015 - 2016