AVerS

Analysis of the security of supply in Southern Germany in the light of the Europe-wide coupling of electricity markets

Objective

The aim of the research project is to analyze the security of supply in Germany, particularly Southern Germany, in the light of the shutdown of further nuclear power capacities over the next few years and an increasing proportion of supply-dependent renewable energies. This analysis cannot be performed, however, without taking appropriate account of the developments towards a single European electricity market and the introduction of capacity mechanisms in neighbouring foreign countries. These developments will have an enormous impact on the development of overall domestic and regional power plant capacities.

Previous analyses on the subject of security of supply are being extended to include three essential points:

• Impact of various market design options in Germany and neighbouring European countries on the security of supply in Southern Germany and Germany as a whole,
• impact of European market coupling mechanisms on the security of supply in Germany in general and Southern Germany in particular and
• contribution of the flexibilization of demand to the security of supply.

In order to answer the open questions, various model approaches, which have their strengths in the respective subdisciplines, are being brought together. This linking of proven model approaches makes it possible to provide detailed answers for the first time to aspects in respect of the security of supply in Southern Germany that have not been analyzed to date.

The analysis will enable recommendations as to courses of action to be derived with a view to creating an electricity market in Germany which continues to ensure a sustainable, cost-efficient and secure supply of electricity.

Project Partners

• Karlsruhe Institute of Technology: Chair of Energy Economics
• Technische Universität Dresden: Chair of Energy Economics
• Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI
• ESA² GmbH 

Duration

2016 until 2019

Contacts at the Chair of Energy Economics