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The distribution system operators welcome the draft EAG and want to make their experience available in the context of parliamentary evaluation and treatment.
Vienna (OTS) – If Austria is to achieve its climate goals in the next ten years, massive investments must be made in expanding renewable energy sources. However, for the sake of security of supply, the expansion of the network infrastructure should not be forgotten. The Security of Supply Forum therefore welcomes the fact that Federal Minister Leonore Gewessler and Secretary of State Magnus Brunner have now introduced a law on expanding renewable energy (EAG), which creates the legal basis for the necessary investments.
“The Renewable Expansion Law is an important step towards the energy transition,” explains Brigitte Ederer, spokesperson for the Supply Security Forum, “the draft provides answers to some of the most important questions regarding a future network infrastructure that serves for climate protection “.
The distribution networks see themselves as enablers of the energy transition, Ederer emphasizes: “It is very gratifying that this role has been correctly recognized and should be reflected in the law.”
An important foundation for the future energy system will be created with the legal anchoring of the existing system and, for users, extremely favorable of the “energy industry data exchange (EDA)”. EDA is a platform through which all participants in the energy market can communicate with each other safely and economically. The desired variety of regional producers and renewable energy communities, as well as their integration into the overall system, is only possible through EDA. Until now, EDA only operated on the basis of the market rules of E-Control Austria. With the EAG, a solid legal foundation is now being created, which also enables further EDA development.
In the case of an urgent demand from the grid operator, a practical compromise was found: new medium voltage lines up to 45,000 volts must be exempt from permits according to the high current law, but this does not apply to overhead lines . The license exemption is essential because otherwise at least around 3,000 procedures would have to be completed annually by 2030 to expand the network infrastructure. “No authority can cope with such a mountain of applications, expansion would be delayed,” says Ederer.
On the other hand, the spokeswoman for the Supply Security Forum does not see that the issue of sectoral coupling and green gas is adequately addressed. “The integration of electricity, gas, heat and mobility in a uniform system will play an important role in the future,” said Ederer. Converting excess electricity from wind and photovoltaic systems to hydrogen is a prerequisite for long-term storage of electrical energy. Furthermore, biomass gas is also a CO2-neutral energy source. Ederer: “Without green gas it will not be possible to make the heating sector climate friendly for the foreseeable future.”
In conclusion, Ederer highlights the willingness of the distribution system operators to continue working on solutions for the future of energy: “For a final assessment, the role must be analyzed more closely. The Supply Security Forum and its member companies are always available for discussions and information and are also ready to support the parliamentary treatment of the draft EAG with their experience. “
The Security of Supply Forum is a platform for companies in the energy network infrastructure. The members of the platform are Linz Netz, Netz OÖ, NÖ Netz, Wiener Netze and Netz Burgenland.
Queries and contact:
In g. Gerhard Fiegel
Security of Supply Forum
Thomas-Klestil-Platz 14
1030 Vienna
+43 (1) 53 123 74110
gerhard.fiegel@wienerstadtwerke.at
