Prof. Kai Strunz on rbb news: Building a More Resilient Power Grid for Berlin

In a report by the Berlin-based broadcaster rbb Abendschau titled “Berlin strengthens protection for the power grid after attacks,” aired on May 4, 2026, M2G board member Prof. Kai Strunz (Technical University of Berlin) commented on the ongoing debate about the security of electricity supply — especially within the network operated by Stromnetz Berlin. The discussion follows recent attacks on Berlin’s power infrastructure, some of which caused prolonged power outages and renewed concerns about the resilience of critical energy systems.

At the core of his assessment is the need to make grid structures more resilient in the long term, particularly through the expansion of redundancies within the electricity network.

According to Prof. Strunz, the short-term focus of Berlin’s grid operators on protecting particularly vulnerable so-called neuralgic points through measures such as fencing, video surveillance, and increased security personnel is an important first step. However, he emphasizes that these measures represent only one part of the solution.

Building on this, he argues that the electricity grid must be further developed at a structural level. Strunz points to the growing share of decentralized energy generation from renewable sources and their storage. In this context, he highlights the significant potential of rooftop photovoltaic systems as well as the use of battery storage solutions, including electric vehicle batteries as potential local energy storage systems.

Furthermore, he advocates for a stronger meshing of electricity grids. This refers to network architectures in the form of ring or loop systems in which electricity can flow through alternative routes, thereby creating redundancies. If one line fails, supply can be maintained via other paths.

From Prof. Strunz’s perspective, the combination of improved protection of sensitive infrastructure and a more flexible, decentralized network structure represents a key building block for a future-proof energy system.