On July 1, 2024, the Coordination Office (KO.NEP) submitted the draft gas/hydrogen scenario framework for the upcoming Gas and Hydrogen Network Development Plan to the Federal Network Agency for approval within the deadline.
The Federal Network Agency launched the consultation on the draft scenario frameworks for gas/hydrogen and electricity on September 2, 2024. The consultation runs until September 30, 2024. Online events to present and discuss the scenario frameworks will take place on September 13 and 16, 2024. All information on the consultation can be found on the BNetzA website.
For the first time, the two scenario frameworks will be consulted simultaneously to enable an integrated view of developments towards a climate-neutral energy system in Germany.
The transmission system operators are considering a total of four scenarios in the gas/hydrogen scenario framework.
Three scenario-based approaches, which are based on the BMWK long-term scenarios, consider the target years 2037 and 2045. A demand-oriented scenario considers the target years 2030 and 2037.
The Federal Network Agency will approve the scenario frameworks on the basis of the consultation comments. Based on the approved scenario frameworks, the transmission system operators will then determine network expansion and conversion measures for the Gas/Hydrogen Network Development Plan 2025.
On July 1, 2024, the Coordination Office (KO.NEP) submitted the draft scenario framework for the upcoming Gas and Hydrogen Network Development Plan to the Federal Network Agency for approval.
The Federal Network Agency is now reviewing the draft scenario framework and preparing the consultation with the public.
The public, including actual or potential network users, as well as affected network operators, in particular the operators of gas distribution networks, hydrogen networks that do not constitute a transport network, other pipeline infrastructure that can be converted to hydrogen pipelines and electricity supply networks, have the opportunity to comment.
The 2025 scenario framework is to be approved within six months of submission of the draft to the regulatory authority.
In doing so, the regulatory authority should take into account the results of public participation.
Market survey of infrastructure requirements: A total of 1724 project notifications received
Thank you for your interest in the Germany-wide survey of infrastructure requirements for the electricity and hydrogen grid. The market survey for hydrogen projects (WEB) received a total of 1724 project notifications. On expiry of the deadline on 22.03.2024, the reported data was write-protected and is considered reported. The registered projects remain in the associated database and can still be viewed – but not changed or deleted – by project registrants after March 22, 2024. The results of the market survey for hydrogen projects (WEB) are presented in the scenario framework for the Gas and Hydrogen Network Development Plan. The scenario framework is then consulted on and confirmed by the Federal Network Agency.
TSOs request capacity reservations and capacity expansion entitlements pursuant to sections 38/39 GasNZV for storage, production and LNG facilities and power plants
Preparatory work for the first integrated network development plan for gas and hydrogen 2025 continues to progress According to the German government’s draft legislation, the TSOs and the regulated operators of hydrogen transport networks must prepare the scenario framework for the first integrated network development plan for gas and hydrogen by June 30, 2024. To determine the capacity requirements in the transmission system, the TSOs are now requesting capacity reservations and capacity expansion entitlements in accordance with sections 38/39 GasNZV for storage facilities, production and LNG facilities and power plants. The aforementioned market participants are called upon to report their capacity reservations and capacity expansion claims by May 1, 2024. To this end, the TSOs have published criteria on the TSO Gas website that must also be met by May 1, 2024 in order to be included in the scenario framework. The TSOs explicitly point out a procedural change compared to the previous network development plan processes due to the planned new legal requirements in the Energy Industry Act on integrated network development planning for gas and hydrogen. After that, the scenario framework will no longer be consulted by the transmission system operators, but by the Federal Network Agency. In the opinion of the BNetzA, it is therefore not possible to consider inquiries received by the BNetzA during the consultation and thus after the submission of the scenario framework by the TSOs or to submit them directly to the BNetzA at a later date. Accordingly, only the requests received by May 1, 2024 can be considered in the 2024 scenario framework and the integrated gas and hydrogen network development plan 2025.
Integrated grid planning for the energy system of the future: launch of the first joint market survey by TSOs and DSOs
The first joint survey of infrastructure requirements by the gas end electricity transmission system operators (TSOs) for the preparation of the scenario framework drafts for the electricity, gas and hydrogen network development plans starts today.
The survey aims to collect information on the future production (including power-to-gas plants), feed-in, storage and use of hydrogen as well as the electricity consumption of large-scale consumers (including large-scale battery storage) of individual market participants and gas distribution system operators (DSOs). The network operators define large consumers of electricity as companies with a future connected load of 10 megawatts or more. This minimum limit does not apply to hydrogen demand notifications. Customers in the distribution network are requested to consult their network operator before submitting a hydrogen report.
Market participants are called upon to report their requirements on the joint query platform by March 22, 2024:
https://infrastrukturbedarf-abfrage-nep.de/
The market survey forms the basis for reliable and coordinated infrastructure planning and is a milestone for sector coupling.
The network operators will present the query platform in a joint public webinar on February 14 at 2:00 pm. The experts from the TSOs will then answer questions from market participants and DSOs. Registrations for the webinar are now possible via the query platform possible. Further information can be found in the FAQ.
The ambitious goals of climate neutrality by 2045 and the associated transformation of industry and the energy system require a jointly coordinated development of the infrastructures for electricity, gas and hydrogen. The comprehensive restructuring of the energy landscape is leading to numerous new projects, consumers, producers and storage facilities. In order to offer these players planning security with regard to the future energy supply, it is crucial that the electricity and gas transmission system operators (TSOs) know the specific needs of the industry. By participating in the market survey, the reporting parties also support the planning of the integrated energy system of the future. The TSOs are now setting a milestone for sector coupling with the first joint survey of infrastructure requirements for electricity and hydrogen. The network operators will use specially developed web applications to ask existing and potential customers about their future needs. Based on this information, the network operators can develop the corresponding infrastructure in line with demand and thus ensure a reliable energy supply for the future. Klaus Müller, President of the Federal Network Agency, supports the joint market survey as the licensing authority: “For network development planning in the electricity, gas and hydrogen sectors, the most important basis for meaningful results is a forecast of future developments that is as accurate as possible. The Federal Network Agency expressly supports the joint survey of the transmission system operators and transmission system operators and would like to encourage active feedback from the market participants addressed. A standardized and channeled reporting of projects via the platform helps immensely to create a robust common data basis and thus further improve the quality and reliability of grid development planning.” In accordance with the Energy Industry Act, the TSOs and TSOs are responsible for drawing up the network development plans (NDPs) for electricity, gas and hydrogen. Scenario frameworks are defined at the beginning of each NDP, with specific requirements and national energy and climate policy objectives playing a decisive role. In preparation for the preparation of the 2024 scenario framework, the TSOs will conduct the market survey with existing and potential customers from February 7, 2024 to March 22, 2024. The survey aims to collect information on future hydrogen production (including power-to-gas plants), storage and use as well as electricity consumption by large-scale consumers (including large-scale battery storage) of individual market participants and distribution system operators (DSOs). The network operators define large consumers of electricity as companies with a future connected load of 10 megawatts or more. Market participants are invited to report their requirements by March 22, 2024. At the start of the joint query platform on February 7, 2024, the TSOs will provide detailed information. In addition, TSOs and DSOs will offer a joint public webinar on February 14 at 2:00 p.m. to answer questions from market participants and DSOs. Registrations are possible from February 7 via the query platform.