Power grids facilitate normal operations of the society, and distribute electricity generated by power plans to the user end in order to fulfill daily power consumption. However, power plants and electric towers are considered to be NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) facilities, and the power grid upgrade plans of Germany over the past several years that consist of 100 projects and a total length of roughly 12,000 km are currently severely falling behind schedule.
Germany has been implementing a sizable degree of energy transformation in recent years by gradually eliminating coal-fired and nuclear power plants, as well as expanding the installed capacity of renewable energy and the range of grids. Dierk Bauknecht from NPO Oeko-Institut pointed out that wind power plants are mostly located at Northern Germany, and power consumption is mainly centralized in Southern Germany, which requires new power grids to achieve north-south power distribution.
According to the data of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, more than 100 new grid programs, totaling 12,000 km, have been initiated, with considerable impediment. Bauknecht commented that the progress of the new grid has been trailing behind the schedule due to complicated procedures and local objections. Tariff comparison website check24 also pointed out from its research that Germany has also expanded 120km of grid in 2021, which is 1/3 less than that of 2020.
Some of the locals oppose the idea of power towers being built next to their homes, while others are concerned about the ramifications on wild animals. For instance, Germany grid operator 50Hertz is planning to construct approximately 115 km of electric wires between Bertikow and Neuenhagen to replace the existing small electric towers, and hope to distribute electricity generated from the wind farms in Northern Germany to Southern Germany where the consumption of power is relatively higher, but the particular action may affect the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve.
75 year old retired teacher Hartmut Lindner pointed out, “It’s not that energy transformation isn’t important, it’s just that we don’t want these electric towers around.” These electric towers are likely to endanger thousands of birds within the reserve, including several engendered species.
The locals initiated the opposition in 2008, and years of public consultation and discussion did not result in 50Hertz altering the corresponding routes, who commenced construction in early 2021. However, the locals have obtained preliminary victory under the support of NABU, which forces 50Hertz to suspend construction for a short period. The court will decide next year whether the company is able to construct according to schedule, or alter the routes by going underground.
With that being said, 50Hertz had ruled out the solution due to exorbitant prices of underground wires. Bauknecht believes that Germany may not attain its target of energy transformation if the country remains on the current pace of grid construction. As a result, Germany had introduced new rules in 2020 that include simplification in administration procedures and the reduction in possibility for appeals.
The power system of each country differs, though electric towers, substations, and transformers are indispensable components of power grids. When it comes to the power transmission and distribution systems in Taiwan, the electricity generated from power plants would first elevate to an ultra-high voltage of 345kV, before getting sent to UHV substations and primary substations through transmission lines for voltage reduction to 161kV and 69kV for science parks, metro, and HSR, and then transmitted to distribution substations and secondary substations for another voltage reduction to 110V that is used by general households. Despite sufficient power supply from the generating end, dilapidated or damaged transmission lines would still lead to power outages for the users.
(Cover photo source: pixabay)