Active power (also known as active power) refers to the electrical energy that is actually used in a power grid to perform work. It is measured in watts (W) and is the part of the generated energy that is converted into usable forms such as heat, light or mechanical energy. Active power differs from reactive power, which is present but cannot be used in the form of work.

In the European energy market, particularly in Austria, the efficiency of the electricity grid is heavily dependent on the balance between active and reactive power. In a well-functioning electricity grid, the active power should be as high as possible, as this means that a large proportion of the energy can actually be used. Too much reactive power, on the other hand, would reduce the efficiency of the grid and place additional strain on the transmission lines.

In electricity generation and use, active power is crucial for the functioning of devices and machines. Power plants, whether conventional or based on renewable energies, feed active power into the grid. This is the energy that is actually consumed by households, companies and industries to operate electrical appliances. In Austria, it is primarily hydroelectric power plants and, increasingly, wind power and photovoltaic systems that contribute to the provision of active power. These renewable energies play a central role in the sustainable transformation of the energy sector.

An important aspect of active power is its significance for the stability of the electricity grid. In order to ensure a stable power supply, the ratio of active power generated to active power consumed must be constantly balanced. An imbalance between supply and demand can lead to frequency fluctuations in the grid, which in turn could lead to grid instability or, in extreme cases, even to a blackout. To avoid this, grid operators rely on so-called control power to compensate for short-term deviations in the provision of active power.

In Austria, security of supply is well guaranteed due to the high coverage of hydropower. Hydropower plants can react relatively quickly to fluctuations in the electricity grid and adjust their output, which is crucial for grid stability. In addition, new technologies such as smart grids are being developed to monitor and control the feed-in and consumption of active power in real time. These developments are helping to increase the flexibility and efficiency of the electricity grid.

The integration of renewable energies such as wind and solar energy also presents the electricity grid with new challenges in dealing with active power. As these energy sources are weather-dependent, the amount of active power fed into the grid can fluctuate greatly. In Austria, this is partially offset by the expansion of storage technologies such as pumped storage power plants. These can store surplus energy and feed it back into the grid when required in order to maintain the balance of active power.

In summary, it can be said that active power is an indispensable component of a functioning and efficient electricity grid. In Austria, as in other European countries, the continuous provision and management of active power is becoming increasingly important due to the energy transition and the increased use of renewable energies. Thanks to the use of modern technologies and the expansion of flexible power generation capacities, the Austrian electricity grid is well prepared to meet the challenges of the future.