The Forum Network Technology/Network Operation in VDE (VDE FNN) has a new Board of Directors. The Chairman is Dr. Joachim Kabs, member of the management board of Bayernwerk Netz GmbH. The Vice-Chairmen are Dr. Dirk Biermann, managing director for markets and systems operations at 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, and Ingo Schönberg, CEO at PPC AG. VDE continues to be represented on the board of directors by Ansgar Hinz, the CEO of VDE e.V. The three-year term of the VDE FNN Board of Management begins on April 27, 2021.
Focus on flexibility
The new Board of Directors wants to push ahead with the flexibilization of the electricity grid. Dr. Joachim Kabs explains: “It is important now to meet the increasing need for flexibility and to make the energy supply climate-neutral in the long term. To this end, we aim to improve the interaction of generation and consumption plants as well as between storage systems and the network, to advance digitalization, and to systematize the interfaces between different actors in the energy system. In addition, it is our goal to further strengthen the position of VDE FNN as a center of excellence for the electricity grid among the public and in the political sphere.” VDE FNN is working to integrate these new consumers and technologies into the grid with a view to the entire energy system, all while ensuring the high reliability and quality of the power supply. To achieve this, more than 450 experts from different specialist areas are proactively developing technical rules and requirements, thus creating a crucial basis for sustainable and reliable network operation.
Dr. Kabs acknowledges the commitment of the outgoing board members, Dr. Stefan Küppers, Dr. Andreas Luxa and Ludger Meier. “The implementation of the European Network Codes for Germany during their term was outstanding. In 2018, VDE FNN created uniform grid connection rules for all voltage levels and simultaneously set the course for a successful energy transition. On behalf of the new board team, I would like to express my utmost gratitude!”
About the new board members
Dr. Joachim Kabs (51) has been a member of the management board of the distribution network operator Bayernwerk Netz GmbH since 2021 and is responsible for the operational network business. He previously held various management positions in the EON Group, most recently as technical director of Schleswig-Holstein Netz AG. He is committed to sustainable network development for the implementation of the energy turnaround, among other things in BDEW, DVGW and overarching research projects. He holds a doctorate in physics and studied at the University of Erlangen and the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.
Dr. Dirk Biermann (51) has been a member of the management board of the transmission system operator 50Hertz since 2012 and is responsible for system operation and network planning as well as all energy-related activities of the company. He is also involved in industry cooperations, including serving on the supervisory boards of joint companies of European transmission system operators and the European Energy Exchange EEX. Dirk Biermann, who holds a doctorate in electrical engineering, studied at RWTH Aachen University and subsequently held various positions in the Vattenfall Group.
Ingo Schönberg (57) is one of the founders and CEO of the smart meter gateway manufacturer PPC AG. After completing his engineering studies in process/chemical engineering and business administration, he helped establish the energy division of the newly founded Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT. Ingo Schönberg then worked for the Mannheim-based energy supplier MVV Energie in various management positions in electricity/district heating and energy services, as well as managing director of the telecommunications subsidiary. Among other things, he is a board member of the ZVEI energy technology division and a member of the advisory board for the BMWi barometer.
