Research programme of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection on "Radiation Protection in the Process of Power Grid Expansion"

In connection with energy transition the existing electricity grids are expanded and upgraded. To this end, not only existing alternating current power lines are uprated, but also new alternating current power lines and high-voltage direct current power lines (HVDC lines) are installed, the latter for the first time and preferably as underground cables. The attitudes of a part of the population affected by the expansion range from being critical to disapproving of the necessary measures. Among the reasons put forward are concerns about health risks.

In the process of expanding the power grid, issues concerning health and radiation protection have to be considered from the beginning. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) is making an important contribution with its research programme on "Radiation Protection in the Process of Power Grid Expansion".

Online consultation

Group affiliation stated in the 240 ratings. During the rating process, the affiliation to one or several occupational groups was stated. The sum exceeds 100%, because multiple answers were possible.

As part of designing the research programme "Radiation Protection in the Process of Power Grid Expansion", an online consultation was held in order to involve the general public in shaping the research programme. From 14 July 2017 to 15 September 2017, it was possible to evaluate the research programme as a whole or individual topic areas with regard to their relevance and to make suggestions for setting the focus or designing the research programme. During this period, 240 ratings and 163 comments altogether were received; 14 ratings and 5 comments were received via the English website. The majority of ratings were made by interested citizens (see figure). What is more, the BfS has received numerous offers of cooperation.

At this point, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection would like to thank all respondents for their active participation!

The following sections provide a description of the research programme as a whole and an evaluation of the submitted comments. Subsequently, the individual topic areas are described including the evaluation of the comments made on each topic.