Industry
The reform of Germany’s §19 grid fee discounts, high electricity prices as a location factor, and new opportunities from flexible processes define the situation for energy-intensive industry. Those who offer load flexibility and keep an eye on grid tariffs can cut their power costs substantially.
We support industrial companies on power procurement, grid fee forecasts, and flexibility, and advise policymakers and grid operators on reforming industry privileges. For a group of 17 energy-intensive companies, we develop a practicable successor model for Germany’s special industrial grid fees (§19 StromNEV).
Silvana Tiedemann is our industry lead.
Dr. Silvana Tiedemann
tiedemann@neon.energy
+49 157 79 594 910
TenneT
2024
Agora Energiewende
2023
The Economics of Power Grids (EN) A comprehensive introduction to the technology, economics, operation, and regulation of electricity grids: from locational pricing and redispatch to network charges and dynamic grid fees. Designed for anyone who plans, operates, regulates, or uses electricity grids, from network operators to flexibility providers.
Grundlagen der Energiewirtschaft (DE) Eine kompakte Einführung in Energie- und Netzwirtschaft sowie den politisch-regulatorischen Rahmen. Der Kurs vermittelt ein grundlegendes Verständnis von Stromsystem, Marktmechanismen und Regulierung. Für Berufs- und Quereinsteiger bei Energieversorgern und Netzbetreibern sowie in Projektentwicklung und Energiepolitik.
Industrial grid fees (multi client). The reform of Germany’s special industrial grid fees (§19(2) StromNEV) has been under way for several years. For a group of 17 energy-intensive companies, we develop a practicable model that meets the heterogeneous requirements of the different industries. Ongoing.
Costs of transformers (Thyssenkrupp). The EU shields domestic makers of transformer steel through anti-dumping duties, and further trade measures are under discussion amid rising imports. For steelmaker Thyssenkrupp, we quantified how rising costs of transformer core steel would feed through to grid costs and tariffs for European electricity consumers. 2026.
Industrial grid fees (Aurubis). Building on Model C of Germany’s network regulator, we develop a proposal to reform industrial grid fee discounts. We identify grid operators’ needs, analyze the flexible processes of copper producer Aurubis, and specify key design parameters such as lead times and intervention frequency, keeping the grid benefit at the center. 2026.
Flexibility (industrial company). For an industrial company, we assessed the potential to market its flexibility, with a focus on balancing services. We reviewed the technical and regulatory requirements, ran a workshop on the fundamentals of balancing energy and prequalification, and identified concrete options for commercialization. 2026.
Grid impact of thermal storage (industrial company). Heat batteries turn variable renewable power into steady industrial heat, but grid tariffs favor baseload profiles and discourage flexible operation. We supported a heat battery provider in Germany’s grid fee reform consultation, showing that flexible demand offers both grid and customer cost advantages over baseload. 2025–26.
Electricity procurement costs (industrial company). Wholesale prices, subsidies, and grid tariffs are critical for electrification investments in energy-intensive industries. For a major European energy consumer, we provided technical and regulatory expertise for a planned billion-euro investment. 2025.
Power market consultation (industrial company). After the German government published an electricity market white paper (“Strommarkt der Zukunft”), we supported an industrial company in drafting its stakeholder consultation response. 2024.
Grid fees (industrial company). Network charges make up an ever-increasing share of industrial electricity bills, jeopardizing electrification investments. For an industrial client, we provided forecasts of TSO grid fees until 2040, including projections of capacity and energy charges. 2024.
Industrial grid tariff rebates (TenneT). For decades, Germany’s system of grid fee rebates for heavy industry has prevented industrial demand-side response. Finally, a reform window has opened. For transmission operator TenneT, we identified the numerous problems of the current rebates and developed a range of reform options. 2024. Report.
Grid fees (industrial company). Network charges weigh increasingly on industrial electricity bills. For an industrial client, we forecast German TSO network charges annually until 2040, based on projections of investment, cost of capital, ancillary services, electricity prices, and demand. 2024.
Industrial power prices (Agora Energiewende). 2023 saw an intensive political debate about introducing subsidized prices for heavy industry. For Agora Energiewende, we developed a feasible proposal for such a temporary production subsidy, designed to buy time while maintaining incentives for short-term flexibility and hedging. 2023. Report.
Ruhnau et al. (2023): Natural gas savings in Germany during the 2022 energy crisis
Cloete et al. (2022): Blue hydrogen and industrial base products
Cloete et al. (2021): On capital utilization in the hydrogen economy
Cloete & Hirth (2020): Flexible power and hydrogen production