Stolperstein der Energiewende: Die Stromnetzentgeltverordnung in Deutschland - Erkenntnisse einer Fallstudie aus der Papierindustrie

In the pursuit of the energy transition and the corresponding expansion of electricity generation from volatile renewable energies, demand-side energy flexibility is gaining increasing significance in Germany. The energy-intensive industry in particular is instrumental in the provision of demand-side flexibility and, consequently, the integration of renewable energy sources. Similarly, energy flexibility offers companies strategies to hedge against fluctuating electricity prices. Despite the high economic and environmental benefits of energy flexibility, companies encounter obstacles in exploiting feasible energy flexibility potentials given the current regulatory framework. In this work, we present the results of a case study of a German paper manufacturer and show that existing flexibilities in the energy-intensive industry are not fully exploited due to the Electricity Grid Charges Regulation in Germany. We also examine the amendment to the Electricity Grid Charges Regulation BK4-22-089, which was passed in February 2023. Our results indicate that with and without the amendment, the potential revenue from the provision of energy flexibility is overcompensated by significantly higher grid charges, thus considerably limiting economic incentives for expanding energy flexibility in companies. Beside restricting economic incentives for investments in energy flexibility, the regulatory environment indirectly prevents substantial greenhouse gas emission saving potentials resulting from use of electricity from renewable energies. Given the economic and ecological relevance of electricity demand flexibility, we call for the urgent need to revise the German Electricity Grid Charges Regulation for energy-intensive companies.