The fear of the power gap: In conversation with Manfred Pfeiler and Frank Thinnes from E-Werk Tegernsee

Together, Manfred Pfeiler (left) and Frank Thinnes are making the Tegernsee power plant fit for the future. © Kw

The federal government's heat transition is pushing the power grids to their limits, and many consumers are unsettled. What should they focus on in the future when it comes to heating and driving? We spoke to Manfred Pfeiler and Frank Thinnes from E-Werk Tegernsee about the topic.

Tegernsee - What is the state of the power supply in the Tegernsee Valley? We spoke with Manfred Pfeiler, Managing Director of E-Werk Tegernsee, and its Technical Director Frank Thinnes.

In view of the energy transition, Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger fears that there may not be enough electricity for the many heat pumps in 2030. Election campaign rhetoric or reality?

Frank Thinnes: It will take some time until 2030. Nevertheless, the statement has something of an election campaign and something of reality. The aim is to expand renewable energy sources accordingly in order to meet the demand that then arises. So much for the pious wish. In between, there is a gap between reality. There could be a gap because today's networks are not designed for future needs.

Could there also be a gap if the nuclear reactors were still running?

Thinnes: Nuclear power would ultimately make a contribution margin of six percent. This would not meet the long-term demand for electromobility and heat pumps. But the nuclear reactors would facilitate the transition.

Manfred Pfeiler: In any case, nuclear power would significantly reduce CO2 pollution.

It can be assumed that electricity consumption will increase by more than ten percent in the next few years. Where will this increase in electricity come from?

Pillar: Also about balancing the European interconnected grid. That's when Polish or Czech lignite-fired power plants start up. This is the consequence of the European market.

Is this in line with green energy policy?

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Thinnes: The Greens shut down nuclear power and ultimately increased the number of coal-fired power plants. That was their goal. Since then, electricity has also come from gas-fired power plants.

The Federal Network Agency wants to take e-cars and heat pumps off the grid at peak times, because otherwise there could be a grid overload due to the high demand. Do you also see this danger for the Tegernsee power plant?

Thinnes: We are players in the entire energy market. The concern is justified when the grid starts up uncontrollably, when everyone connects their car to the grid with the wallbox in an unregulated and uncontrolled manner. Then gaps can arise.

Pfeiler: It's the fear of simultaneity. That's why meters are needed that intelligently control this withdrawal. Consumption behaviour will also have to change for each of us. When the meters in the valley have been changed, we will offer different tariffs depending on the electricity prices that are currently on the market. The advantage of sunshine in the midday peaks is that the electricity from the photovoltaic systems will be very cheap, in the evening it will become more expensive. Consumers would therefore have to adapt their behaviour. So no longer use the dishwasher and washing machine at night, but at noon. These are the effects of renewable energies, after the constant base load from nuclear reactors is eliminated.

Is your power grid already designed for the expected high demand for heat pumps and wallboxes for electric cars?

Pillar: No! If everyone were to switch to an electric car in the near future, the networks would not be able to cope with this. If, in view of the purchasing power in the Tegernsee Valley, people here are turning to e-mobility faster than elsewhere, this will not happen overnight, but demand will grow. It will then become clear where we have to retrofit technically and eliminate many a bottleneck.

What proportion of the electricity consumption can the power plant produce itself or is connected to the grid via solar systems and how much do you have to get on the market?

Pillar: We have to get 100 percent of the electricity demand on the market. Although we generate about ten percent renewable energy, this energy is fed into the market.

Is there enough electricity on the market, even in winter?

Thinnes: Basically, the energy requirement is covered. But exceptional situations can lead to a "brownout". However, this precursor to the blackout is locally limited. Because with renewable energy, everything becomes more incalculable compared to nuclear power. If there is no sun and wind, I am much more unsteady with increasing risk.

What would have to happen in the Tegernsee Valley to avoid electricity shortages?

Pillar: That we can continue to expand our power grids.

Thinnes: Only the local power plant can ensure that what politicians have set out to do with the grid expansion succeeds.