FNB Gas on the interim report of the system development strategy

The transmission system operators (TSOs) generally welcome the development of a target picture of the integrated energy system, in which the infrastructure requirements are also clearly taken into account.

Equally positive is the fact that a clear decision in favor of the important role of hydrogen in the future energy system is communicated. This is particularly important as sector coupling is often still misunderstood as electrification. The emphasis on the long-term scenario (LFS) of electricity as the most favorable scenario reinforces this effect, at least in the public perception. This does not do justice to the important role of hydrogen. It is therefore essential for the success of the energy transition to politically emphasize the importance of hydrogen for the overall system. Statements such as the one on p. 16: “Electrification and hydrogen are not opposites, but complement each other” should therefore be explicitly emphasized.

The new scenarios (e.g. T45-PV, T45-Decentral) sensibly take up the objective of the system development strategy (SES) for a broad discussion of options for action. From the perspective of the TSOs, however, this does not make it any easier to determine on which scenario basis a long-term design of the infrastructure should take place. The TSOs expect clear strategic statements from the SES with regard to infrastructure development. Time that is lost in the development of the infrastructure can no longer be made up.

The TSOs and the regulated operators of hydrogen transport networks will take appropriate account of the SES in the scenario framework for the integrated NDP 2025 in accordance with Section 15b EnWG-E. To make this possible, the SES must be completed in good time before the scenario framework is drawn up. To enable a comparison with the scenarios to be prepared by the TSOs, the following information would be helpful for both hydrogen and methane:

• Consumption and supply data with as fine a spatial resolution as possible, e.g. NUTS 3. Both annual figures and hourly values (to determine capacities) are required.
• Transport requirements for the design of capacities at border crossing points (transits) but also storage facilities and terminals (LNG, LH2, …). Requirements for supplying other European countries from or via Germany must also be taken into account.

Our statement on the published interim report on the system development strategy is available in the downloads.