Partnerships

WindNODE - Solutions for the Energy Transition

From January 2017 to March 2021, the WindNODE joint project worked on model solutions for the second phase of the energy transition. The work was preceeded by two years of project development, starting in 2015. The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) as part of the "Smart Energy Showcase - Digital Agenda for the Energy Transition" (SINTEG) funding program and had a volume of around 70 million euros. In 50 different sub-projects, more than 70 partners have been working on the various aspects of the 100 percent renewable, smart energy system of the future. Despite the diversity, these sub-projects can be divided into four overarching focus areas:

• Identifying flexibility, i. e. recognising and describing technical potential for load shifting and sector coupling
• Activating flexibility, i. e. facilitating the economical use of technical flexibility potential in new and existing flexibility markets
• Digitalising the energy system, to make the energy transition possible and maximise the benefits of energy data
• Developing a reality lab, a concept that yielded a series of methodological blueprints on a range of topics – from managing a network of more than 70 partners, to diversifying approaches to public engagement, to a ‘show and tell’ about the opportunities of the energy transition.

The results of these focus areas and the WindNODE model region are presented in the final report of the project: Final Report

Information Platform Netztransparenz

Together with the other three German transmission system operators, 50Hertz operates a platform that makes information available on managing the requirements under the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) and the Combined Heat and Power Act (KWK-G).

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Scientific Advisory & Project Board of 50Hertz

For the regular exchange between science and practice, 50Hertz has established a panel where it exchanges ideas on current themes. During these exchanges, particular themes from the field of energy technology, energy industry and energy law are analysed, but broader subject areas, such as corporate ethics, can also be broached and discussed. The board currently consists of 21 honorary members. During the most recent meetings, the following themes were discussed

Here you can find an overview of the advisory board members.

Cooperations with Universities

For 50Hertz cooperations with German and international universities is an important factor. They help us meet the future challenges that transmission system operators face.
Our daily activities benefit from scientific know-how. Likewise, we share our practical experience with research institutes.
50Hertz regularly asks institutes of higher education to perform studies and carry out projects to shed a scientific light on strategically important themes. In return, 50Hertz employees participate in guest lectures and speeches. Furthermore, we rely on our network of professors for our annual conferences.

BDEW

The BDEW and its member companies contribute to climate protection and are committed to an integrated and economically efficient transformation of the energy industry in Germany that takes into account the corporate interests of its members.

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Charta der Vielfalt - Diversity Charta

50Hertz is committed to diversity in any Dimension. Therefore the Company signed the German diversity Charta "Charta der Vielfalt" in 2018. 

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ENTSO-E

We joined other European transmission system operators in the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E). It is the mission of this association to strive towards a European internal electricity market and to coordinate the cross-border exchange, trade and management of electricity. Within this organisation, we help draw up position papers in coordination with our Belgian parent company, the Elia Group.

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GO15

Through its parent company, the Elia Group, 50Hertz is a member of the voluntary initiative of the 18 largest electricity system operators ‘GO15. Reliable and Sustainable Power Grids’. Together, they represent more than 70% of energy consumers worldwide. They supply over 3.4 billion consumers across six continents and feed more than 2,500 gigawatts into the grid, of which 21% is generated from renewable energy sources.

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RGI

Together with environmental associations such as the WWF and Germanwatch, 50Hertz has launched the European ‘Renewables Grid Initiative’ (RGI), the aim of which is to promote renewable energy and the grid development required to this end.

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Industry Forum VHPready

50Hertz is a founding member of VHPready. The name stands for Virtual Heat and Power Ready. This industrial forum advocates the cross-linking of decentralised installations that generate heat and electricity with consumers and energy storage units to create virtual power plants and applications in the smart grid. The system types include battery storage tanks, combined heat and power plants, process heaters and heat pumps.

UN Global Compact

50Hertz has signed the UN Global Compact and therefore recognises the ten universal principles of this global initiative for responsible corporate governance. We align our strategies and activities with the sustainability objectives and the vision of this economic initiative of the United Nations.

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World Energy Council

As the national committee of the World Energy Council, which was founded in London in 1924, the "World Energy Council" represents all energy sources and technologies and is an important reference for international energy issues in Germany. It is actively involved in key issues relating to the energy future of Germany and Europe. Thanks to his international network, he enriches the German debate on the energy transition with new impetus. In October 2024, Stefan Kapferer, Chairman of the Management Board of 50Hertz, was elected President of the World Energy Council.

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Coreso

50Hertz holds a 7,9 % share in Coreso. Coreso is an independent company where engineers from several countries coordinate the forecast and operation of electricity flows for over 40% of EU citizens. System operators such as 50Hertz can use this information to increase supply security in their grid area. The objective of Coreso is to efficiently and reliably coordinate the European electricity system, integrate large quantities of renewable energy and further develop the European electricity market.

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Joint Allocation Office

The platform for the allocation of cross-border electricity transmission capacities, JAO, is a joint service company of 25 transmission system operators from 22 European countries. 50Hertz holds an interest of 4 % in JAO which allocates long-term transmission capacities to the borders of all countries of the European Union. JAO was established in June 2015 through the merger of the two regional allocation offices for cross-border electricity transmission capacities.

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TSC – Transmission System Operator Security Cooperation

The TSO Security Cooperation (TSC) is a cooperative venture in which 50Hertz works together with thirteen other transmission system operators to further strengthen the security of the extra high-voltage grids in Europe. Together, the partners are responsible for the power supply to 170 million Europeans. They founded TSCNET Service GmbH in which 50Hertz has a participating interest of 7,7 %. The company mainly supports the transmission system operators in the integration of renewable energy and cross-border power trading and electricity Transport.

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Elia Grid International GmbH (EGI)

EGI is the joint consultancy firm (50/50) of transmission system operator Elia in Belgium and 50Hertz in Germany and offers engineering services on the international energy market. The company furthermore develops energy system projects for third parties.

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EEX | EPEX

50Hertz is committed to the development of a common European electricity market. To further this goal, 50Hertz holds 5,36 percent of the shares in the European Energy Exchange (EEX) in Leipzig and as such also indirectly participates in the European Power Exchange (EPEX) in Paris. More information