The EEG and the Grid Package: Why Regulators Must Now Consistently Take the System-Wide Impact of Battery Storage into Account

The ongoing discussions surrounding the EEG and the Grid Package will significantly shape the framework conditions for battery storage in Germany in the coming years. In a recent article by energate, our Managing Director Dr. Magnus Pielke, among others, explains why the right regulatory course must be set now—particularly regarding issues such as co-location, grid-neutral grid connections, system-supporting connection capacity (SAL), Flexible Connection Agreements (FCA), and the structure of construction cost subsidies and storage grid fees.

What It’s All About

Whether and how quickly battery storage capacity can be expanded in Germany depends increasingly on specific regulatory details. Issues that at first glance seem technical and minor are, in practice, decisive in determining whether a storage project is economically viable:

• Co-location and grid-neutral grid connections: How easily can a storage system be connected to existing connections for renewable energy systems without tying up additional grid capacity?
• System-Beneficial Connected Load (SAL): How is the connected load calculated so that it benefits the overall system rather than placing a burden on it?
• Flexible Connection Agreements (FCA): Under what conditions are storage facilities granted grid access when capacity is scarce?
• Construction Cost Subsidies and Storage Network Fees: How can costs and incentives be structured to promote—rather than hinder—investments in grid flexibility?

be.storaged’s Position

From our perspective, the key point is this: The EEG and the Grid Package must not merely “take battery storage into account”—they must consistently reflect its systemic impact in the regulatory framework. Battery storage increases the flexibility of the energy system, enables the integration of larger amounts of renewable energy, and can significantly reduce the load on power grids. This effect should also be reflected in the design of grid connections, grid fees, and subsidy frameworks, rather than treating storage systems the same way as traditional generation or consumption facilities under regulatory rules.

To ensure that projects remain predictable and economically viable, the industry now needs clear, reliable, and practical rules—both for grid connection procedures and for the financial arrangements governing connection and grid use.

Further Reading

You can find the full article, including Dr. Magnus Pielke’s analysis, on energate.

Here is the link.