Experiences with the integration of renewable energy sources — From a distribution system to an energy management system

In Germany the government decided of renewable energy to 80 to raise the amount percent in 2050. Mitteldeutsche Netzgesellschaft Strom (MITNETZ Strom, formerly known as envia Verteilnetz GmbH) as a large distribution system operator in the east of Germany has to handle about 48 percent of renewable energy already today. Until 2020 this ratio is expected to raise to 100 percent and more. So the impacts and challenges for the whole energy system in Germany and Europe for the next decades can be seen today and have to be solved here in the next few years. The author shows the experiences the solutions found in the last years next of MITNETZ Strom, and the tasks for the years. A new generation management system was developed and implemented, new overhead lines and substations were build. The challenges for the future are the optimizing and reinforcement, but also the extension of the existing system. Additionally, the new role of a distribution system operator as a responsible partner for the coordination of system services from renewable plants has to be developed.