Together with ef.Ruhr, we had the opportunity to develop innovative grid connection concepts for data centers for Amprion, E.ON, and Syna, in cooperation with data center operators. Particularly in cluster regions such as the Rhine-Main area, rising connection requests are meeting limited grid capacities. Through interviews and workshops, the requirements and needs of grid operators and the data center industry related to grid connections were made transparent and brought together. This resulted not only in innovative concepts to bridge the period until grid expansion is completed, but also in a shared understanding of the steps required for further implementation.
Under normal operating conditions, data centers usually do not fully utilize their connection capacity, but they do require the full capacity reliably in rare situations. The flexibilities actually available in operation are therefore limited and can primarily be provided via emergency power generators or battery storage systems. Against this backdrop, two concepts were developed: one focusing on the transmission grid and one focusing on the distribution grid. In the transmission grid, the concept applies when new data center load would lead to a disproportionate, potentially critical redispatch requirement and enables a connection with a temporary capacity limitation. In the distribution grid, part of the capacity can be provided temporarily on an “unsecured” basis until grid expansion is completed.
Many thanks to energate and Ron-David Heinen for the excellent article on the study (German Language):
Flexible Grid Connections for the Data Boom
Further results of the study (German Language):
Study on Innovative Grid Connection Concepts for Data Centers
Many thanks for the great collaboration to
Thomas Anderski | Johannes Vey | Dr. Tobias van Leeuwen | Patrick Schwerdt | Dirk Hilleringmann
Project team: Alexander Schrief | Dr. Henning Schuster | Kilian Bienert | Dr. Stefan Kippelt | Dr. Oliver Kraft
