The energy transition poses new challenges for distribution networks: decentralized feed-in of renewable energy, electrification of heat and mobility, and the integration of market-driven storage systems. Imbalances between generation and consumption increasingly require costly measures such as redispatch, balancing power, and grid expansion, leading to rising grid fees.
ZSW develops and tests solutions for resilient grid management. Using AI-based models, we forecast grid states up to 72 hours in advance, enabling early detection of grid bottlenecks. Flexible consumers and storage systems can be integrated in a grid-neutral or even grid-supportive manner through dynamic power limitations in Flexible Connection Agreements (FCAs) or through dynamic grid fees.
Distribution system operators are central players in the energy transition and face considerable challenges. The rapid expansion of largely unmonitored low-voltage networks requires the deployment of additional metering technology and controllable local substations. For secure grid operation, weather-dependent generators, dynamically tariffed households, and market-optimized storage systems must be forecasted.
ZSW supports distribution system operators with the forecasting system GridSage. It delivers high-resolution generation and load forecasts and provides these automatically to the grid control center. Drawing on many years of AI expertise in distribution networks, ZSW creates greater grid transparency through:
Forecasting tool for grid operators — GridSage
Hybrid power plants and retrofitting of existing PV parks with battery storage → Link PV parks
Flexible Connection Agreements (FCAs) for battery storage (STRIVE)
Large-scale batteries are increasingly being connected to distribution networks to engage in electricity exchange arbitrage and balancing energy marketing. However, market-optimized charging/discharging profiles do not account for physical transport capacities and can exacerbate local grid bottlenecks.
Flexible grid connections give network operators the ability to impose dynamic, locally and temporally limited active power limits on storage operation. At ZSW, we develop and evaluate precisely these grid-supportive integration solutions for battery storage systems:
Under EnWG §14a Module 3, controllable consumers can already opt for time-variable grid tariffs. The Federal Network Agency is further developing the new grid tariff framework from 2029 onwards through the AgNes process (launched in mid-2025). A key proposal is a day-ahead published dynamic grid tariff component based on current weather and exchange forecasts as well as expected local grid utilization. This allows flexible consumers such as charging infrastructure or grid-connected storage systems to be specifically incentivized toward grid-supportive behavior.
At ZSW, we address the methodological, technical, and regulatory questions surrounding dynamic grid tariffs in a holistic manner:
