Germany's system stability roadmap - highlighting selected challenges, achievements and milestones

Germany's energy transition (“Energiewende”) implies a fundamental transformation of its electrical power system. To secure system stability under these changing conditions, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) launched the System Stability Roadmap (SSR) in 2023. It provides a coordinated framework of eight thematic fields addressing key aspects of power system planning and operation, including frequency, voltage, short-circuit strength, resonance and angular stability, system operation, and system restoration, as well as overarching processes. Within these thematic fields, 51 dedicated processes are being managed and coordinated by various, responsible stakeholders. The implementation of all processes is monitored by BMWE. The SSR emphasizes three strategic paths: defining security levels and system demand, covering these demands, and introducing grid-forming inverters. The paper presents illustrative results from three processes: development of market-based procurement for reactive power, provision of inertia, and establishing structured processes for system restoration services such as black start capability.