Interview with Andreas Kießling (Model City of Mannheim)

In an interview, project manager of the E-Energy Model city of Mannheim - Andreas Kießling - explains the special features of the project, the requirements of the city of Mannheim and the developments witnessed in this region so far.

What are the objectives of your model project?
The primary objective of the project is to increase energy efficiency by creating a virtual energy marketplace for power generators, consumers and grid operators. In the new energy marketplace, customers will be able to view the origin and price of the electricity, and have an immediate impact on the marketplace by directly controlling when energy is tapped from the grid, as well as the supply of energy to the grid from their own decentralized power production systems. With new energy services, consumers can not only use energy more effectively but also make long-term savings and thus help protect the environment.

What makes Mannheim particularly suitable as an E-Energy model region?
Mannheim has a wide range of renewable power production plants and controllable loads, which can be used to develop and test the functions of an intelligent power network. Through numerous pilot projects, for example those focusing on the integration of photovoltaic systems, the "Smart Metering" research project of the BMWi, as well as our experience with the "Energiebutler",we have created specific approaches which the project can build upon and develop further. The associated system of monitoring the energy efficiency of electricity and district heating, as well as the centralized heat and power cogeneration blocks, also constitute a good framework for the E-Energy project. Interconnecting the power grid across a wide area with a broadband powerline is also an important module of the intelligent network, as it facilitates realtime communication between all power generators and consumers on the basis of the Internet protocol.

What is so special about the Model city of Mannheim?
We are taking a multisectoral approach that comprises electricity, gas and water, as well as district heating. This approach examines new business models and incentive systems, and explores ways to achieve stable, real-time grid control. Over the course of four years, three field trials in both Mannheim and Dresden will focus on enhancing the "Energiebutler" and examining the efficiency potential among customers, as well as intelligent network behavior with associated services. A total of some 3,000 customers are taking part in the project.

Further information on the Model City of Mannheim...