Local potential for action to promote decentralised decarbonisation strategies

A decentralised decarbonisation of the energy sector requires the coupling of the electricity, heating, industry and transport sectors. The energy transition is turning consumers into prosumers or even producers. However, to accelerate this shift, legislative change is needed, and barriers must be dismantled. The challenge lies in aligning local energy generation and consumption systems with the need for energy security and grid stability. Digital technologies such as the smart grid could pave the way for an intelligent electricity network that is able to balance peak loads. E-mobility can contribute to electricity storage as an integrated part of the grid through the bidirectional charging of electric cars (V2G charging). But e-mobility can assume this crucial role in the energy transition only in the smart grid.

Already today, local best practices in sector coupling serve as models that demonstrate which measures are suitable for scaling. In parallel with the decentralisation of the energy supply, attractive new business models are opening up for local-authority-controlled suppliers – and so, too, are opportunities for many citizens to play an active part in the energy transition.

New charging facilities can be created in car parks, charging zones or shopping centres and at mobility hubs that people use to change from one mode of transport to another. Local smart grid concepts envisage the integrated use and exchange of electricity between vehicles, buildings and the grid to ensure grid stability. Forward-looking concepts even use the road surface to generate power: Using photovoltaic systems, they generate energy that is transmitted to the vehicles via inductive charging.

In order to harness local potential, proven strategies must be transferred, and successful PPPs established.

polisMOBILITY examines what kinds of cooperations between local energy suppliers, distribution system operators, industry partners and consumers are needed to embed climate-friendly mobility solutions holistically. We will place a special focus on the development of charging infrastructure for electromobility.