Power Gridfirefighters: "Katherina Reiche's Gas Power Plants Are Damn Near Perfect"
Breaking Down the Gas Power Plant Conundrum
"Katherina Reiche's gas-fired power plants hit the mark"
In the frigid cold of winter, outages can last from two to eight days, on average. Germany's Minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche, aims to build an extra 20 gigawatts of gas power plants to prepare for extreme situations. But is this too much or too little?
Werner Goetz, head of the Baden-Württemberg transmission grid operator TransnetBW, believes this is just right. When asked by ntv whether it makes sense to invest in gas power plants for many years, Goetz likens them to a necessary, economically sound fire department investment.
Ntv.de: How crucial are gas power plants in Germany's energy supply? Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche seeks to build 20 gigawatts of new power. Is that too much or too little?
Werner Goetz: Both. It depends on how much you're willing to pay for the firefighting service they provide. In a crisis, gas power plants generate a second product—one as indispensable as a fire department. They're designed to be flexible and able to manage emergencies, like preserving capacities during periods of darkness.
Energy: Negotiations with EU Reiche demands a swift tender for new gas power plants
The European Union is in conversations with Germany regarding the expansion of gas power plants. However, the location of these plants plays a large role in network restoration and redistribution.
How can gas power plants support Germany's energy transition?
By providing capacity that's crucial during emergencies. Gas power plants offer reliable energy generation, offering a much-needed backup plan for the grid, especially during intermittent renewable energy output.
Could the country's "overinsurance" for gas power plants be considered excessive?
Gas power plants are currently fueled by natural gas and are adaptable to operate with hydrogen, making them more environmentally friendly in the future. In comparison to coal power plants, which Germany heavily relies on as reserves, gas power plants are considered a more eco-friendly alternative.
What role does battery storage play in gas power plants?
Battery storage, while excellent for short-term balancing, has limitations. For instance, if snow blocks solar panels during a period of darkness, the battery storage is compromised. Gas power plants are necessary to sustain power during longer dark periods.
Is it fair to subsidize private companies for services like gas power plants?
The need for these services is undeniable; the question of subsidies comes down to incentivizing investment in the energy transition. Gas power plants offer a lucrative business case, making investments attractive for companies. However, finding an efficient balance between battery storage and gas power plants is essential.
Our current "fire department" (coal power plants) is aging, posing challenges to their availability and reliability. Are we pushing for the construction of gas power plants to combat these issues?
Yes, the need for more efficient and reliable power sources is urgent, making the construction of gas power plants a priority. A third of these power plants should be positioned in the north of Germany, and two-thirds should be in the south.
What are the potential risks of delaying the construction of these gas power plants?
Given that our current "fire department" (coal power plants) are aging, the reliability and availability of these power stations pose increasing concerns. Looking ahead, it's essential to transition to more sustainable and efficient solutions, keeping in mind the need for a strong and stable energy grid.
Does the potential introduction of electric cars as a network stabilizer present any advantages or solutions for the current energy situation?
Electric cars can help make the grid more stable and reduce costs. However, they cannot replace gas power plants entirely. Bidirectional charging is not yet tested in these pilot projects and will remain a future endeavor.
Gas power plants, like a necessary fire department investment, provide crucial services during energy emergencies (Werner Goetz). The industry is considering hydrogen as a future fuel source for gas power plants, making them more environmentally friendly compared to coal power plants (implied in the text).
The location of new gas power plants plays a significant role in network restoration and redistribution, and the European Union is currently in discussions with Germany about their expansion (mentioned in the text). Battery storage, while useful for short-term balancing, is limited and gas power plants are necessary for sustaining power during longer dark periods (the text states that battery storage is compromised during periods of darkness).
