Market & Innovation | Vattenfall Energy Trading - Vattenfall

Market & Innovation

Here you will find an overview of all current articles.

"You can't negotiate with physics.
Nature follows its own laws."

October 2025

One of the leading climate researchers has summarised the physical fundamentals of climate change for us. What can we expect in the coming decades, and what does this mean for the actions of commercial enterprises such as ours or our customers? Let us actively shape the change!

Market outlook

September 2025

The energy market calmed down somewhat in the third quarter of 2025. Most players consider the supply situation to be good, which was also reflected in relatively low trading ranges for longer-term products. It will be interesting to see how the rather low gas storage levels will affect the market.

5 questions: Is biomethane = biomethane?

September 2025

In our ‘5 Questions...’ section, we highlight current topics from the energy industry or energy trading. This time, we address questions posed by participants in our biomethane webinar. The focus here was primarily on the risks and potential applications of this natural gas substitute.

No longer wishful thinking: AI in energy trading

August 2025

Voice assistants, navigation systems, facial recognition – we already use artificial intelligence everywhere. It is also used in electricity trading, because increasing dependence on the weather means that the demand for data is constantly growing. This complexity is almost impossible for humans to manage. We explain examples of how AI is used.

Day-ahead exchange trading in 15-minute instead of 60-minute intervals

June 2025

It was actually supposed to start on 11 June - but EPEX Spot has called for the introduction of quarter-hour trading to be postponed until 30 September. Why do quarter-hours make sense in the day-ahead auction and why does the exchange still need some time to prepare? We explain!

Market outlook

June 2025

The energy market was extremely unsettled in the second quarter of 2025 and was characterised by geopolitical news: The markets were influenced by the USA's unstable tariff policy, the war in Ukraine and hopes for tentative talks between the warring parties.

5 questions about...battery storage systems

May 2025

At Vattenfall, we invest in battery storage ourselves - but above all, we support our customers in investing and optimizing wholesale storage in the best possible way. In our “5 questions” this time, we focus on topics that our customers often ask us about.

Negative spot prices - is a gift still too expensive?

April 2025

Negative spot prices - a gift is still too expensive? In 2024, the day-ahead prices on EPEX SPOT were negative in 457 hours - this corresponds to five per cent of the 8,784 hours of the year. During these hours, an electricity producer has to pay money for the electricity it generates and the buyer receives the money. A topsy-turvy world that is becoming increasingly common and which we want to take a closer look at.

Market outlook

March 2025

The first quarter of 2025 is history. Time to take an initial look back and categorise market developments to date. Important factors were the mild winter, lower gas prices and weakening prices for emission allowances. Nevertheless, the electricity spot market increased significantly compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

20 years ago - a look back at politics, society and energy

March 2025

We have been writing newsletters for our customers for many years. We have therefore rummaged through our archives and would like to regularly offer you exciting and amusing reviews of the energy industry and Germany 20 years ago.

EFET framework agreements -
Energy trading with the industry standard

March 2025

Anyone who has ever traded an annual band knows that even a 1 MW band results in a volume of 8,760 MWh - corresponding to the 8,760 hours of a year. At current base load prices of over 90 euros/MWh, this adds up to around 800,000 euros. Such trading transactions must be contractually secured.

Dark doldrums - a
A threat to the energy supply or a driver for the energy transition?

February 2025

The term ‘dark doldrums’ refers to days with little sun and wind and is often used to express a certain scepticism towards renewable energies. But what is behind it? Do the high prices on such days really mean that the electricity market is not working?

5 questions about... Remote controllability of wind and solar systems

January 2025

As direct marketers, we are repeatedly asked by system operators what requirements they have to fulfil with regard to remote controllability. At the same time, there is often a lack of clarity regarding the differences between grid-related and market-related curtailment. We bring light into the darkness.

Market Outlook December

December 2024

It reappears at the end of the year, unasked and seemingly without reason - in various contexts, including the energy market: the ‘year-end rally’. The question arises as to where the impetus comes from and which products in the energy market have been affected by the rally.

Control energy:
How the market works and which power plants Vattenfall uses

December 2024

The electricity grid must be kept stable at a grid frequency of 50 Hertz at all times. The transmission system operators ensure that this stability is maintained despite fluctuations in electricity generation and consumption. When you consider how many fluctuations the grid is constantly exposed to, it seems like a masterstroke.

Innovations in the spot market - and a review of a glitch

November 2024

More and more electricity is being produced in renewable energy plants. Regulatory adjustments and new markets or products are required in order to integrate these into the market as efficiently as possible. The role of the electricity exchanges is of central importance here. This was particularly evident in the summer when there was a breakdown at EPEX. We look forward - and back.

Renewable fuels of non-biogenic origin and the EU Renewable Energy Directive

November 2024

The Renewable Energy Directive (RED) provides a European legal framework for renewable fuels of non-biogenic origin. The legal requirements in the directive were worked out in detail in a delegated act. The transposition into national law is complex: it offers a great deal of security, but also involves a great deal of effort and bureaucracy for companies. We provide an overview.

Market outlook September

September 2024

What was going on? It seemed as if all the bears were on vacation at the height of summer and the bulls had taken over the commodity markets. An astonishing price rally - there was no sign of a summer slump. In the meantime, however, calm has returned.

Further development of Redispatch 2.0:
Consentec report and BDEW position paper at a glance

September 2024

The introduction of Redispatch 2.0 has been repeatedly delayed. The reasons: Problems with the control technology, faulty data and immature processes in the distribution grid. We show which proposals the Consentec report and the BDEW position paper on redispatch should help.

Guarantees of origin:
Innovations for consumers, companies and plant operators

August 2024

Guarantees of origin, European green electricity labels, hourly granularity, simultaneity of green electricity supply and generation, optional coupling of GoOs - are you still keeping track? We shed light on all these topics as well as current developments - and of course their impact on consumers and system operators.

Market Outlook 2024

June 2024

Over the past three months, prices for electricity, gas, emissions certificates and coal have initially risen sharply, but reached their annual peak so far in May. The outlook for all commodities is neutral to bearish.

Price zone splitting - the north in favor, the south against?

May 2024

Price zone splitting: The term comes more from the vocabulary of energy market experts, but has also appeared in the media in recent weeks. While politicians from the northern federal states consider price zone splitting to be absolutely necessary, politicians from the south see it as a disadvantage for their industry. We try to explain the splitting and the possible effects.

Solar Package I and amendment of the Climate Protection Act - Overview of the most important key points

May 2024

The Solar Package I and the Climate Protection Act have caused quite a stir in recent weeks. After all, far-reaching energy policy and economic changes depended on their swift, short-term adoption - including the conversion of existing areas for wind energy into so-called acceleration areas. We provide a concise overview of the most important changes.

Market outlook March 2024

March 2024

Electricity prices have fallen sharply on both the spot market and the futures market since the beginning of the year. The reasons include the low demand for gas with well-filled storage facilities. The outlook is also currently more in favour of the bears than the bulls on the market.

Science Based Targets initiative for corporate climate protection

March 2024

Defining and achieving science-based climate protection targets - the Science Based Targets initiative helps companies of all sectors and sizes to do this. We at Vattenfall have also joined the initiative and are involving our supply chains and our customers in our efforts.

Large-scale battery storage: utilising opportunities in the flexibility market and finding the optimal marketing strategy

February 2024

Battery storage systems are a fundamental factor for the success of the energy transition. In addition to security of supply, they bring further advantages - for example in terms of revenue potential in the balancing energy market or in arbitrage trading. At Vattenfall, we combine historical experience with innovative concepts.

Effects of the electricity market reform
on renewables, industry and end customers

February 2024

On 14 March 2023, the EU Commission presented a proposal for a new European electricity market design. We offer you a compact overview of the most important changes in the areas of CfDs, PPAs, capacity remuneration, consumer protection and energy sharing (as of 14 December 2023).

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