The next step in the Wendelstein stellarator line is the large superconducting device Wendelstein 7-X, presently under construction in Greifswald. Steady-state operation is an intrinsic feature of stellarators, and one key element of the Wendelstein 7- X mission is to demonstrate steady-state operation at reactor relevant plasma conditions, as required for an economic fusion reactor. Such steady-state operation requires development of special technogies to be discussed in this paper.