Innovating for the energy transition: Prime Minister Rehlinger visits Hager Group

The topics of energy transition and innovation were the focus of Saarland prime minister Anke Rehlinger’s visit to the Blieskastel headquarters of Hager Group. Together with his innovations team CEO Daniel Hager presented solutions for a seamless and secure energy flow in a future which will see sudden surges in demand such as when a whole neighbourhood decides to charge their electric cars at the same time. Instead of new regulations, the company is suggesting a transition not only in energy production but also in the running of grids.

Hager Group is known for sustainable energy solutions inside and around the home. Among other things the group produces energy management systems and storage products which are needed for an electrical future and the energy transition. As ever, innovation is the key to success.

“The future is electric. We are seeing a steady rise of technologies in the market which are run on electrical energy. Our existing energy system will soon be at its absolute limits. This is why we have to be open for new ideas and ways of supplying energy and above all for reform to our structures and processes for distributing energy” demands Daniel Hager, Hager Group CEO.

At present, the company is working with partners from energy supply, the scientific community and politics to research two projects which point towards the future and re-imagine Germany’s energy system by putting all emphasis on flexibility:

• Intelligent energy management systems for increased grid flexibility and stability:
  The project focuses on digitally connecting buildings and neighbourhoods with grid operators on a large scale based on Smart Meter Gateways (SMGWs) using the EEBus communication standard.
  The stated goal is to intelligently manage and to optimize energy distribution to buildings, resulting in a reduction of grid expansion costs. This is an important element in speeding up the energy transition.
  
  An example: The grid operator notices an overload caused by too many EVs being charged at the same time. Communication between grid operator and building energy management systems allows for flexible charging of the EVs depending on their individual charge level and planned time of departure. Hence the cars are not being charged simultaneously any longer but at slightly different times. An overload is avoided.
  

• A decentralised, self-learning and self-regulating network control system enabled by output trading:
  The idea of output trading is based on the principles of a market economy and enables a self-regulating energy system without regulations: instead of claiming unlimited output from the system as usual, here demand and supply steer the system. In times of high demand for energy and therefore output such as when many EVs are being charged at the same time from the same grid, output is reduced resulting in higher prices. As long as energy is available, consumers can decide whether they need power right now at a higher price or whether they prefer to wait for a time of less strain on the network and benefit from lower prices.

„We are facing substantial challenges and it is necessary to leave our comfort zone in order to find the right answers. We need innovative and courageous ideas. It is wonderful to see that just such ideas are being nurtured here in the Saarland. Its research makes Hager Group an important pillar of the Saarland scientific community. Even more so, it is instrumental in our future by shaping the energy transition.” Anke Rehlinger, Saarland prime minister..

A reform of our energy system for a stable and reslient future

Electrification and digitalisation are accelerating change and its consequences for our energy system. Its infrastructure rests on the original model for energy systems featuring a central power station: supply problems, overloads or blackouts are the result of not working on new solutions in good time. New regulations inside the framework of the existing system won’t be the key to solve this challenge. It can only be met by a holistic innovation of the the energy system model which must take into account not only the structure of power generation – towards decentralized generation – but also the running of the grid and market aspects. All of this has to take into account for buildings and their required flexibility.