For Greater Grid Stability:

Getec Energie GmbH has successfully completed the prequalification process for the provision of secondary control energy (Automatic Frequency Restoration Reserve, aFRR) for several wind farms in Amprion’s control area. This is an important step toward ensuring grid stability as the energy system increasingly incorporates renewable energy sources. These sources are subject to weather-related fluctuations, which make electricity generation more unpredictable. In implementing this project, Getec Energie benefited from its long-standing, trusting collaboration with service provider emsys VPP and various plant operators.

As the use of renewable energy expands, the demand for system services to stabilize the power grid is increasing significantly. Secondary control power plays a central role in this process, as it balances short-term fluctuations between electricity generation and consumption and helps maintain the grid frequency at 50 Hz.

Starting today, Getec Energie will enter the market with approximately 65 MW of negative aFRR and plans to significantly increase its prequalified capacity by expanding into all four control zones. To put this in context: Of the total 25,820 MW of prequalified capacity for negative aFRR currently available in Germany, approximately 17,000 MW comes from hydropower, while wind and solar energy have so far contributed only about 180 MW (see Regelleistung.net). Getec Energie aims to specifically increase this share. In doing so, the Hanover-based energy service provider is making an important contribution to supporting grid stability and demonstrating that renewable energies can be integrated into the electricity market in a way that benefits the grid.

“Supporting the stability of the power grid is becoming increasingly challenging – and at the same time, increasingly important – as the expansion of renewable energy continues,” explains Hauke Hansen, Head of Analytics at Getec Energie. “By initially providing 65 MW of balancing energy (aFRR), we are contributing to grid stability and demonstrating that wind energy can play a key role in the energy system beyond mere electricity generation.”

Partnership with emsys VPP Enables Innovative System Solutions

This successful prequalification is based, on the one hand, on close collaboration with emsys VPP. emsys VPP handles the aggregation, precise forecasting, and intelligent control of the prequalified facilities. Timo Buschmann, Product Owner at emsys VPP, adds: “Participation in the aFRR market requires the highest precision in forecasting and control. Together, we integrate renewable energy into the system services market, thereby reliably promoting grid stability."

Furthermore, Getec Energie benefits from its long-standing, strong relationships with wind farm operators – most of which have existed for years – through Gewi GmbH, a majority-owned subsidiary of Getec Energie.

Further Expansion Planned

Following its successful prequalification in Amprion’s control zone, Getec Energie plans to strategically expand its portfolio of flexible generation facilities and integrate additional wind farms into the balancing energy market. In this way, Getec Energie aims to continuously strengthen the role of renewable energy in grid stabilization while simultaneously unlocking new economic opportunities for plant operators.