When it comes to energy transition, the federal government is fully committed to electricity highways. According to the Federal Network Agency, electricity will be transported across the country from north to south from 2024. These electricity highways or routes are intended to transport wind energy from northern Germany to the south of the country. The term “electricity highways” is intended to make it clear that these are powerful and efficient infrastructures that transport electricity over long distances, similar to highways.
Provision of renewable energy
Electricity highways are particularly important for the provision of renewable energies as they enable the transport of electricity over long distances with comparatively low losses. According to the Federal Network Agency, by the end of 2024, 2,800 kilometers and a year later 4,400 kilometers of high-voltage lines will have been approved, the federal authority announced on Monday in Bonn. It is currently 440 kilometers. “We are making good progress and are using every opportunity to speed up the process,” said network agency boss Klaus Müller.
Connect the windy north with the industrially strong west and south of Germany
The electricity highways are intended to connect the windy north with the industrially strong west and south of Germany and thereby ensure the distribution of green electricity throughout Germany.
So far, progress has only been “visible in individual line sections,” said Müller, with a view to the currently still low number of approved routes. “But starting next year we will be issuing building permits on a large scale.”
After the approvals, the construction and then the commissioning follows – it will take a while until the time comes. A total of around 14,000 kilometers of high-voltage lines are to be built in Germany in the coming years. The Federal Network Agency is responsible for the larger projects that run through several federal states. The other routes are a matter for the state authorities.
Most of the electricity highways will run underground. Nevertheless, in some places there is criticism and concerns from citizens’ initiatives, which have threatened lawsuits. This is one reason why the expansion of high-voltage lines in Germany, which has long been demanded by federal politicians and the economy, has been progressing rather sluggishly. With the figures now published, the Federal Network Agency wants to underline that the approvals will soon pick up the pace.
Greentech: “electricity highways” in Germany
“Electricity highways” in Germany in connection with renewable energies means the planned network of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines. These are intended to transport wind energy from northern Germany to the south of the country. The term “electricity highways” is intended to make it clear that these are powerful and efficient infrastructures that transport electricity over long distances, similar to highways.
The main advantage of electricity highways for renewable energies is that they enable electricity to be transported over long distances with comparatively low losses. Since renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are often located in rural areas far from the centers of consumption, efficient transport of electricity over long distances is required.
The electricity highways can bring large amounts of renewable electricity from wind farms on the North and Baltic Sea coasts to southern Germany, where there is a high demand for electrical energy. This contributes to the better distribution of renewable energy and allows for greater integration of wind and solar power into the electricity grid.
Another advantage is that the electricity highways can improve grid utilization and increase grid stability. The expansion of the transmission grid will reduce congestion and bottlenecks in the electricity grid, which can ensure more reliable and stable operation.
Greentech Offshore Wind Energie Nicholas Doherty via Unsplash
Electricity highways push the energy transition with renewable energies
In addition, electricity highways can facilitate the expansion of renewable energies because they offer investment security. Through the targeted expansion of HVDC lines, investors in renewable energies can be sure that the electricity generated can be transported reliably and efficiently to the centers of consumption.
Overall, electricity highways in Germany are helping to advance the energy revolution, increase the share of renewable energies and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources.
Sources:
Time, Federal Network Agency, dpa