Energy: We are developing the e-digital energy supply

In studies and with its task forces, the VDE examines the effects of the energy transition, identifies challenges and the need for action and makes recommendations for the long-term and short-term further development of technology and the regulatory framework. The focus here is primarily on system issues.

VDE application rules make new concepts and innovative technologies for grid operation suitable for everyday use: connection conditions provide the technical framework for the energy transition from a system perspective. The focus is on the safe further development of the overall system towards 80 percent renewable energy. The aim is to avoid retrofitting as far as possible. The challenge here is that the requirements must be specified in advance with all specialist groups and planning and investment security must be created.

In national, European and international standardization, experts are developing concepts for current and future technologies, for example for the integration of electromobility and smart grids or the new role of electricity storage as a system. The challenge here is to incorporate German solutions - some of which are developed against the backdrop of ambitious energy policy goals - into European standardization. This transfer task is an important building block for the international competitiveness of the technologies and products developed here.

In studies, the VDE examines, among other things, the potential and concepts for increasing flexibility options as well as the effects and limits for secure operation with ICT. In order to maintain the high level of supply security, secure system operation remains the top priority, even with the increased use of information and communication technologies. To this end, VDE FNN sets out forward-looking requirements for secure system operation and identifies the need for action.

VDE application rules, standards and instructions make new concepts and innovative technologies for electricity grid operation suitable for everyday use, for example digital protection systems, controllable local grid stations, grid-supportive control of generation and consumption systems and specifications for interoperable and interchangeable measuring system components. Software-independent data models ensure the secure interaction of different components: from electric vehicles to PV systems, from smart grids to smart homes.

Among other things, the VDE Institute tests and certifies smart home systems.

The VDE is investigating new approaches and grid concepts, including transmission technology, protection and automation technology and the use of direct current in distribution grids, in current studies and in its task forces.

New concepts and innovative technologies are made suitable for everyday use and future-proof by VDE application rules, for example for grid operation. Connection conditions provide the technical framework for the energy transition from a system perspective.

The further development of standards and, in particular, the incorporation of solutions developed in Germany into international standardization is an important building block for the competitiveness and future security of the technologies and products developed here. The VDE results form the basis for solutions from Germany that can be used worldwide, for example internationally recognized architecture models ensure interoperability.

The VDE stands for the safety and quality of electrotechnical applications and tests and certifies products and applications such as PV systems. In addition, the VDE Institute offers all important tests and certifications relating to grid conformity and confirms technical safety management (TSM).

Through the cooperation of science, manufacturers and users in the VDE, further development is driven forward in a targeted manner with a view to the overall system. The VDE is a driving force for politics and the regulatory framework.

In studies and in its task forces, the VDE examines the tasks and requirements of different flexibility options such as storage, flexible power plants and grid expansion, generation and consumption management. The VDE compares storage technologies and concepts for their integration into the electricity market, for example within the framework of regional flexibility markets.

FNN guidelines define connection concepts and roles for electricity storage systems and enable their use in grid operations.

The introduction of solutions developed in Germany into standardization, for example for storage technologies, and their integration as system components in the electricity grid, is forward-looking.

VDE tests and certifies a wide range of battery storage systems in its state-of-the-art battery testing center and VDE Renewables offers ESS services along the entire value chain.

In studies and in its task forces, the VDE examines, among other things, the market integration of renewable energies as well as concepts and limits for the safe operation of the electricity grid with information and communication technology.

VDE application rules and instructions specify requirements for protection and control technology, identify influences on power quality and negative feedback from consumer devices and develop countermeasures.

The annual fault and availability statistics enable a representative evaluation of developments, even over long periods of time.

Norms and standards make everyday products safer. This can be seen, for example, in domestic installations and appliances: Here it is taken for granted today that even children can use electrotechnical products safely.

The VDE Institute tests the safety and quality of electrotechnical applications and certifies products and applications such as household appliances, toys and cables. The VDE experts also certify technical safety management (TSM). The VDE Institute also supports companies in obtaining the AuS seal of approval, which stands for the highest quality in training and occupational safety for live working.

In studies and in its task forces, the VDE examines, among other things, new approaches for the integration of renewable energies, possibilities and further development requirements for secure system operation with decentralized and conventional generation plants.

VDE application rules are used to define the requirements for generation plants in advance so that the many small plants also serve the grid and support the system in the long term.

Current solutions and long-term strategies, for example for storage systems, island grids and much more, are developed nationally and internationally in standardization.

The VDE tests and certifies PV systems for electrical and technical safety, for example, thus enabling investors to evaluate the systems.

In studies, the VDE deals, among other things, with increasing efficiency through sector integration, approaches for the energy optimization of rail transport, the efficiency and savings potential of electrical energy in Germany by 2025 and the leveraging of energy efficiency potential through smart living.

Through standardization and specific product and test requirements, the VDE enables the expert testing and assessment of electrotechnical products.

The VDE DKE standardization roadmap "Electrical Energy Efficiency" illustrates how impressive the results achieved in the field of energy efficiency are: The average energy consumption of electrical appliances, such as refrigerators or freezers, dishwashers or washing machines, has decreased massively: by over 30 percent in the past twenty years. This corresponds to an energy saving of ten terawatt hours per year in Europe or the annual energy consumption of a large nuclear power plant.

The VDE Institute carries out energy audits and measurements on energy consumption and efficiency.

In studies and in its task forces, the VDE examines the effects and limits of secure operation with ICT, formulates suitable security requirements and new concepts for protective measures to secure the energy infrastructure and communication in the smart grid.

Grid operators are obliged to introduce and certify an information security management system (ISMS) to protect the relevant applications, systems and components for secure grid operation. VDE FNN classifies relevant legal regulations in the information security in the energy supply and provides information on how to introduce an ISMS and how to report security-related incidents.

With its internationally active experts, the VDE is driving forward the development of standards for the technical hardware and software control of the energy system. Solutions from Germany are also being introduced for the IT-supported handling of market processes.

In studies and in its task forces, the VDE is investigating how the energy sources used today - above all fossil fuels - can be replaced by electricity, heat and gas. This also includes new approaches and concepts for energy supply as well as fields of application for different conversion and storage technologies.

VDE application rules and instructions define connection concepts for electricity storage systems and enable their use in grid operation.

Standards already reflect the trends of tomorrow: For example, highly flexible data models ensure interoperability.

For example, power electronics and electric motors for the drivetrain of electric cars have been combined into the smallest sizes and robust solutions. Other examples include small and micro drives, which are often used today in modern actuators in control systems. Size, weight, material consumption, efficiency and interference emission are constantly being improved.

VDE application rules define requirements for overhead lines, for example for bird protection (collision protection and protection against electrical accidents). In addition, users are given advice on how to minimize electric and magnetic fields.

The VDE Institute tests for substances hazardous to health (PAHs), checks RoHS conformity and assesses compliance with the WEEE and REACH directives.

The environment and nature conservation also play an important role in standardization: a separate committee is responsible for environmental protection and sustainability in electrical engineering, electronics and information technology products.

The challenge here is that many issues relating to the cross-border exchange of electricity also depend on the different national regulatory frameworks and specific energy policy objectives. With regard to the energy transition, secure grid operation with an 80% share of renewables is not possible with the minimum European consensus on requirements. It must therefore be carefully weighed up where national leeway is necessary for safe and efficient operation within the corresponding energy policy framework and where common European standards make sense.

The VDE is active in two areas:

• On behalf of the BMWi, the VDE translates European regulations into national regulations through VDE application rules and puts them into concrete terms. The challenges here are that the objectives of the energy transition and cross-border electricity trading must be concretized as rules with all specialist groups. Extensive studies have been carried out to determine what is specifically required in Germany between the implementation of the energy transition in the grid and the connected systems. The results are incorporated into the VDE application rules.
• As part of European standardization, the specific effects of European regulations on standardization are determined and updates are initiated. The challenge here is to incorporate German solutions - some of which are developed against the backdrop of ambitious energy policy goals - into European standardization. This transfer task is an important building block for the international competitiveness of the technologies and products developed here.