Building the Green Energy Backbone: Berlin's New Underground Power Highways by 50Hertz
Underground power infrastructure expansion: 50Hertz is building three underground power conduits in Berlin. - Underground Electricity Infrastructure Expansion: 3 Underground Electricity Highways Constructed by 50 Hertz in Berlin
Ready to power Berlin's future with a ticket straight to Greentown? That's right, the German transmission grid operator 50Hertz is planning to lay down three new, subterranean high-voltage power lines right smack through the heart of the city. The goal? To beef up the transport capacities, especially for electricity from renewable sources, as announced by none other than CEO, Stefan Kapferer himself. The construction works are set to kick off around 2030.
"Reliable supply of green energy is the backbone for Berlin's economic boom," Kapferer exclaimed. "With these three burrowed beauties, we're fortifying the city's infrastructure without needlessly scarring the urban landscape."
Cables at depths of up to 40 meters
Let's start with the Berlin Cable Diagonal - the northwest-to-Marzahn, east-running beast that's getting a long-awaited makeover. The proposed section between the substations (UW) Reuter and Teufelsbruch in Hakenfelde will span around six kilometers and will be buried at depths of up to 40 meters.
A tunneling venture with a 4-meter diameter will be dug for the cables, replacing the old route and leading to a 40 percent increase in capacity, as promised by 50Hertz.
Next up is the Berlin South Cable Vertical - a tunnel spanning 14 kilometers. "The starting shaft will be nestled in Brandenburg, just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Berlin city border in Großbeeren," the company stated.
Lastly, there's the Berlin North Cable Vertical, a 20-kilometer-long line with 17 kilometers slicing underground. "The line begins at UW Reuter, forges a straight shot to a yet-to-be-built substation in Tegel, lays low and meanders its way before ending at UW Malchow," they added.
How's this going to affect the locals?
While construction work will primarily take place underground, it's not going to be completely smooth sailing for the residents. "Putting down roots in Berlin's bustling central area is no walk in the park and demands an open dialogue with all important parties," Kapferer emphasized. "We're urging the powers that be to show active support for these vital energy transition projects."
- Berlin
- Grid Expansion
- Subterranean Power Highways
- Renewable Energy
- Economic Boom
- Stefan Kapferer
- CEO
- Resident Disruptions
Insights:
- Disruptions and Dialogue: Building in such a densely populated area requires careful planning to minimize disruptions.There will likely be a broad dialogue with all relevant interest groups to ensure that residents are informed and involved in the process[1].
- Construction Timeline: The staggered commissioning of the new lines is scheduled to begin in 2036 and be completed by the end of the 2030s. This prolonged timeline means that residents may experience intermittent disruptions over several years[1].
- Technical Challenges: The project involves laying cables underground, which can be complex and may require temporary disruptions to traffic and daily life. However, modern construction methods like directional boring are used to minimize such impacts[2].
- Political Support: The company is appealing to politicians for support to ensure the project's success, which could indirectly affect residents through policy decisions related to construction permits and funding[1].
Overall, while the project aims to reduce surface-level disruptions, residents can expect some inconveniences during the construction period.
"With the focus on increased renewable energy capacity and economic boom, 50Hertz is collaborating with the community to discuss the potential impacts on residents during the construction of subterranean power highways in Berlin. These collaborative discussions emphasize the need for careful planning and dialogue to minimize disruptions."
"As part of the company's community policy, efforts will be made to manage technical challenges and secure political support necessary for the successful implementation of the green energy backbone project in Berlin."
