With the funding programme SINTEG, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) seeks to implement practical tests for the energy supply of the future and the digitalisation of the energy sector. In five showcase regions new and innovative solutions, such as for example smart grids, are tested and exemplary solutions for a secure, efficient and climate-friendly energy supply with high proportions of intermittent power generation on the basis of wind and solar energy are developed. Ecologic Institute is part of the accompanying projects funded by the BMWi and manages the work package on regulatory framework and legal questions.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy [2] is providing funding to the five model regions [3] of up to 200 million euros for a period of four years. This funding is complemented by private investments leading to over 500 million euros to be invested in the intelligent energy supply of the future. The SINTEG programme forms part of a package of measures entitled "Innovative Digitisation of German Business" serving to help implement the Federal Government's Digital Agenda and at the same time a component of the energy transition.

The funding programme thus also tackles key challenges of the energy transition including the integration of renewables into the system, flexibility, digitisation, system stability, energy efficiency and the establishment of smart energy systems and market structures. Against this background the SINTEG projects should help to achieve in particular the following objectives:

• guaranteeing secure and efficient grid operation with high shares of renewables,
• tapping efficiency and flexibility potentials (in terms of markets and grids),
• ensuring efficient and secure cooperation of all players in the smart energy system,
• making more efficient use of the existing grid structure,
• reducing the need for grid expansion at the level of distribution grids.

The focus of the accompanying projects is to support the BMWi and the energy showcases in combining the experiences of the showcases to serve as transferable solutions for a wider implementation across Germany. Ecologic Institute contributes to the accompanying projects by identifying eventual needs for action or adaptation of the regulatory framework in close cooperation with the BMWi and the energy showcases.