The updated emergency power guidelines from the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance show ways of providing emergency power beyond the classic diesel unit. The emergency power supply should become more robust and reliable through new technologies such as fuel cells, battery storage and island grids.
The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) has revised its guidelines for emergency power supply in companies and authorities in cooperation with the DKE and has taken a look at the opportunities that new technologies offer. “By updating our emergency power guidelines, we are looking at options beyond the classic diesel engine,” says Christine Eismann, who is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure at the BBK. “This involves renewable energies, battery storage or fuel cells as well as the implementation of island networks on the properties of an authority or company.” Hydropower can also provide emergency power. The DKE was on board for the first time when revising the guidelines, with the DKE/AK 261.0.3A Taskforce Grid Island Feed-in working group providing important impulses for a modern emergency power supply.
Sebastian Kosslers, DKE standardization manager and head of the VDE Smart Grid Competence Center, says: “Our working group also included emergency services from the Ahr Valley, fire departments and their outfitters, as well as technicians, manufacturers of mobile power generators and from the areas of e-mobility and renewable energies. With a view to the role that island grids will play in the future, we also had an eye on international standardization, where, for example, microgrids are combined to form virtual power plants.” Island grids are small local power grids that are independent of the rest of the power grid and can therefore help in the event of a disaster .
BBK guidelines for emergency power supply in companies and authorities as a practical aid for decision-makers
The BBK guidelines provide decision-makers in companies and authorities with concrete assistance in maintaining an emergency power supply on site via electrical installations. To do this, it must first be clarified how much electricity-dependent infrastructure there is, which areas need to be supplied with diesel generators and battery storage and where renewable energies are the right solution. It is also important to determine exactly how the operation works in practice and where fuel can be stored for at least 72 hours. The guide also explains why only regular tests and exercises can reveal possible weak points. “If such a concept is implemented in all relevant areas within the framework of personal responsibility, then the community as a whole will become more resilient and the consequences for all sides will be less drastic,” says Christine Eismann. “We can use the current transformation in energy production and network construction as an opportunity to position ourselves more flexibly and better than before.”
The guide for emergency power supply in companies and authorities can be found at this link.
