The energy transition poses major challenges for municipal utilities: They have to integrate renewable, volatile energies, replace fossil energy producers, guarantee security of supply and at the same time ensure competitive prices for end customers. Stadtwerke Cottbus shows how this transformation can be successfully achieved and how they can use their available flexibility intelligently and efficiently.
With the order to dismantle conventional coal-based power plants, Stadtwerke Cottbus is faced with the task of finding new ways to supply heat and electricity. The answer: a modern combined heat and power plant (CHP) consisting of five gas engines with an electrical and thermal output of 10 megawatts (MW) per engine. They are primarily used to generate heat, with electricity being produced at the same time via combined heat and power generation. The heat previously sourced from the Jänschwalde lignite-fired power plant (LEAG) will in future be replaced by innovative river and lake water heat pumps that use energy from the River Spree and the recultivated open-cast mine lake.
Flexibility is key | Cooperation with ESFORIN
Stadtwerke Cottbus relies on flexibility marketing with ESFORIN to optimize electricity production economically. The challenge: the plant must be operated in a heat-led manner, but potential electricity revenues must not jeopardize the heat obligations. However, thanks to the ability to temporarily store heat in a pressurized water heat storage tank, the innovative CHP process can be "dismantled" again at a later date and thus react quite flexibly to price signals.
Flexibility is marketed via the wholesale and intraday markets. ESFORIN develops customer-specific algorithms in close coordination with Stadtwerke Cottbus, taking into account obligations, restrictions and special features of the plant. This not only involves the use of artificial intelligence, but also the extensive expertise and experience of the employees involved. The collaboration thrives on mutual ideas, suggestions and solutions that drive optimization forward.
Marketing strategies are discussed and optimized in regular meetings in order to tap into further potential. As Stadtwerke Cottbus knows its system best, flexibility can be further increased and marketed through joint ideas. The algorithm is continuously individualized and optimized - a process of mutual inspiration, experimentation and testing that leads to ever greater success: In terms of flexibility yields, energy costs, security of supply and CO2-savings.
