freeGon – A tool for better planning of grid capacities and RE plants
Project description
In this project, scientists from the Reiner Lemoine Institute are developing an open-source tool that will determine free grid connection capacities in the German extra-high and high-voltage grid based on open data such as OpenStreetMap (OSM) and the market master data register of the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA). The aim is to reduce grid compatibility assessments (NVP) and optimize the planning process for renewable energy plants (RE plants). NVPs represent a bottleneck in the planning of RE plants. The tool is intended to help avoid these bottlenecks.
How freeGon identifies free grid connection capacities
In freeGon, the framework developed in the eGon project is extended and specified. This framework uses open data sources to derive grid, generation, and consumption data. In order to be able to identify free grid capacities, the project team integrates additional data. This allows the grid status of the high-voltage and extra-high-voltage grid with its generators and consumers to be realistically mapped in order to carry out grid analyses.
Plan grid connections and avoid bottlenecks
The tool provides project developers with well-founded information on where grid connections are likely to be possible. Public administrations, grid operators and research institutions can also benefit from the results. These can be used, for example, to estimate regional grid bottlenecks, for strategic spatial planning or for the further development of open energy models.
Knowledge transfer into practice
By transferring research results from the eGon project into practical application, the freeGon project promotes the transfer of knowledge from research to practice and contributes to a more efficient energy transition. These include the method developed in eGon for modelling the high-voltage and extra-high-voltage grid with open data (e.g. from OSM and the Joint Allocation Office, JAO) as well as methods for maintaining and updating volatile input data such as the market master data register, which are now being made available for practical application in site assessments.
Project period: 01.03.2025 – 30.11.2025
Tasks
- Open source tool development for the determination of free grid connection capacities in the extra-high and high-voltage grid based on the eGon framework
- Expansion and improvement of the database
- Parameterization and validation of open source tools
- Publishing the tool extensions under open licenses
Funding
Funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) as part of the 8th Energy Research Programme. Project organiser: PtJ.
