From April 1, 2025, the system service "Use instead of curtailment" in accordance with section 13k EnWG can be used not only by the transmission system operators, but also by the distribution system operators to avoid congestion-related RES curtailment in independent DSO relief regions. This is possible provided that the requirements pursuant to Section 13k (8) EnWG are met and coordination with the transmission system operators has taken place.
The main requirements pursuant to Section 13k (8) EnWG are as follows:
- The distribution grid operator must operate a grid with a nominal voltage of 110 kilovolts to which more than 100,000 customers are directly or indirectly connected.
- The distribution system operator must not be connected to an operator of a load-shedding system or an aggregator of switchable loads for participation in Section 13k EnWG or to a system pursuant to Section 3 (41) or (48) of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act.
- The amount of active power reduction of installations pursuant to Section 3(1) of the Renewable Energy Sources Act in accordance with Section 13a(1), the cause of which was in the own electricity distribution grid, must have been at least 100,000 megawatt hours in each of the last two calendar years.
- The distribution system operator must be in a position to make suitable generation and curtailment forecasts.
- The congestion relief region determined by the distribution system operator must not overlap geographically with a congestion relief region determined by a transmission system operator.
- The other requirements pursuant to Section 13k (2) to (7) EnWG shall apply accordingly.
In order to enable an initial implementation from April 1, 2025, the transmission system operators request written expressions of interest by January 19, 2025 at the latest from distribution system operators that meet the above requirements and would like to designate a congestion relief region in accordance with Section 13k EnWG. Otherwise, implementation is not possible from the TSOs' point of view by April 1, 2025.
Subsequent expressions of interest from DSOs that meet the above requirements are still possible and will be processed on the basis of existing implementation capacities.
Please complete the following contact form and select the topic "Utilization instead of curtailment".
Please provide the following initial information:
- Company name of the distribution system operator incl. contact person
- Voltage level of the grid operation
- Number of (in)direct customer connections
- EEG balancing quantities and number of EEG balancing hours in the last two calendar years with separate disclosure for 2023 and 2024
- Where could Section 13k EnWG apply in your DSO grid area?
- What granularity of demand is seen (large or small regions)?
- How many activation hours could be expected in the relief region?
- If available, please name potential participants or existing inquiries from stakeholders.