Energy In Germany Research Articles

From investment to impact: The role of green finance and technological innovation on German energy transition

Germany is a global leader in environmental protection and has embraced a fast-track transition towards renewable energy adaptation. To support the continuous energy transition, an approximate sum of EUR 3000 billion needs to be mobilized by 2050, making it an exemplary case for examining the influence of green finance on renewable energy consumption and technological innovation. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of green finance and technological innovation on renewable energy consumption across 16 federal German states, utilizing panel data from 2008 to 2021. Two novel financial proxies, green investment and environmental protection-related sales, are introduced to capture the financial mechanisms underpinning the energy transition. MMQ (method of moments quantile) regression is employed to explore the short and long-run relationship among variables. The results reveal that while environmental protection-related sales consistently increase renewable energy consumption, the positive effects of green investment manifest only in the long term. Furthermore, the results indicate that solely increasing R&D funds does not necessarily boost renewable energy consumption. However, the positive interplay between R&D and patent applications significantly increases electricity generation from renewable sources. Indicating that integrated financial and technological strategies are essential for advancing Germany's renewable energy goals.

Electrolysis and waste heat utilisation in the sustainable transition of Germany's energy system

The article examines the use of the by-product waste heat in hydrogen projects in Germany. It identifies several conditions for the use of waste heat. These relate to infrastructure, electrolysis operating modes and sector coupling. It uses a set-theoretic method to attribute causality between these conditions and the outcome, in order to arrive at a robust comparison of the heterogeneous cases. Counter-intuitively, our analysis suggests that the absence of gas infrastructure, along with existing district heating systems, is the strongest explanatory condition for waste heat recovery, with industrial participation supporting this.

Concept and Modeling of Participation Opportunity for Large-Scale Renewable Energy Plants

Citizen participation in the energy transition is desirable for many reasons: it increases acceptance of renewable energies, fulfils the wish to make one's own contribution to the energy transition and generates relevant parts of the necessary capital for the transformation of the energy system. This paper presents a scalable participation concept for the German legal framework which allows citizens to invest in and partially consume electricity from large-scale renewable energy plants at the time of generation. The developed concept provides a method for direct financial involvement via a direct contract with local electricity suppliers and virtual self-consumption by matching demand with PV generation – without the need for property ownership or new subsidies. Different consumer types and participants shares of a large-scale PV plant are modelled and simulated for the years 2019-2021. The financial advantage of citizen participation depends on the type of energy generation plant, yearly (solar) yield, on the remuneration for the surplus energy quantity, on the electricity procurement costs, on the customer's energy consumption, on the amount, and time flexibility and others. This paper shows that all analysed consumer types have the potential to profit from the model every year, although simulations are dependent on variable annual factors and assume the energy supplier's short-term procurement. The approach’s scalability and organizational simplicity could expedite the development of local participatory projects and contribute significantly to Germany's energy transition.

Renewable energy trading: Assessment by blockchain

Renewable energy trading could be considered the next step in power trading's development. It is probable that individuals currently involved in power trading will need to upgrade their data collection, processing, and reporting systems. This article provides a comprehensive evaluation of renewable energy trading utilizing Blockchain technology. Initially, the paper examines country-specific renewable energy trading with a focus on India, China, the US, France, and Germany's renewable energy policies. Moreover, the paper presents potential renewable energy trading markets such as peer-to-peer, over the grid, and partially or fully independent microgrid's. This paper shows the appraisal of bond, commodity, derivative, and algorithm-based renewable energy trading using different Blockchain methods, including Ethereum and R3 Corda. It is find out during the renewable energy trading, proposers of bid, also include capital cost of the renewable energy power plant, salvage value after useful life of different component of renewable energy power plant. It is also find out proper trading is to be done with offering subsidies of up to 70 % of the capital cost, and with a 30 % viability gap finance (VGF) at this cost.

Growing Institutional Complexity and Field Transition: Towards Constellation Complexity in the German Energy Field

AbstractBy applying a dynamic approach to field‐level institutional complexity, we explore how growing institutional complexity affects fields over time. We examine field transition processes, which are shaped by the number of logics, the nature of their relationships and the shifts in dominance. Focusing on Germany's energy field, our analysis identifies a variety of conflicts that arose among up to seven institutional logics in the context of the German energy transition, i.e., the transition towards a low carbon energy market. The paper makes two theoretical contributions to the institutional complexity and field literature. First, we develop a process model explaining the field‐level consequences of two different types of growing complexity, namely increasing and accelerating complexity. Second, we identify conflicting logic constellations as a distinct form of complexity that we term constellation complexity. We discuss our contributions in light of the literature on institutional logics and fields and show how applying a dynamic perspective to institutional complexity supports scholars in conceptualizing field transition processes.

Change agents in Germany's energy transition: Role of the state of Schleswig‐Holstein in wind electricity development from the 1970s to 2009

AbstractEnergiewende (energy transition) has become a worldwide critical challenge. Unlike extensive literature that explains Germany's energy transition focusing on federal actors, this study analyzes the role of Schleswig‐Holstein in federal wind energy policy‐making. Schleswig‐Holstein was an economically poor state governed by the Christian Democratic Union from 1950 to 1988 and supported nuclear energy in the late 1970s and early 1980s. By integrating the notions of “leaders,” “pioneers,” and “entrepreneurs,” and exploring the relationship between these change agents and “followers,” this study elucidates a nuanced classification of actors. An examination of proceedings of the federal assembly, the second chamber, and the Schleswig‐Holstein state parliament revealed that Schleswig‐Holstein changed its role from a potential veto‐coalition player in the 1970s to a constructive pusher of repowering older windmills in the 2009 Renewable Energy Act revision. This study also highlights that leaders, pioneers, and entrepreneurs do not necessarily overlap and do capture different change agents.

Applying policy mix thinking to social innovation: from experimentation to socio-technical change

So far, the emerging literature on policy mixes for sustainability transitions has paid little attention to social innovation. This seems at odds with recent claims that transformative policies should promote a wide range of innovation, and social innovation in particular. In this paper, we explore whether and how policy mix delineation and analytical approaches that were developed primarily with technological innovation in mind can be usefully applied to social innovation. We examine empirical case study evidence, and proceed in two steps: after an initial top-down mapping of the focal policy mix for social innovation in energy in Germany, we conduct a bottom-up mapping of the policy mix relevant for the social innovation field of 'participatory incubation and experimentation' in Germany's energy sector. Based on our insights we discuss the relevance and recognition of social innovation in sustainability transition policy mixes, and offer research and policy implications for accelerating socio-technical change.

A turn to geopolitics: Shifts in the German energy transition discourse in light of Russia's war against Ukraine

Germany's Energiewende is often considered a role model for the transition to renewable energy. And notwithstanding some domestic disputes about costs and practical implementation, it enjoys broad multiparty and multi-sector commitment. However, Russia's 2022 war against Ukraine marks a turning point in Germany's energy politics. We examine the war's repercussions on the Energiewende discourse drawing on newspaper articles, tweets, talk shows, and parliamentary speeches published shortly after the beginning of the war. We show that economic, environmental, and technological considerations become complicated by a new emphasis on security, freedom, and sovereignty. We identify four discursive shifts caused by this turn to geopolitics: 1) There is renewed controversy about whether gas imports slowed down the Energiewende or were necessary to support it. This weakens the discursive consensus on the desirability of the Energiewende. 2) In light of the new moral imperative for reducing dependence on Russian gas, the ecological modernization paradigm is challenged. 3) Lignite, nuclear power, and LNG are in contradiction to the goals of the Energiewende, but gain popularity as bridging technologies because they promise to increase supply security. 4) At the same time, additional funding for, and an accelerated implementation of renewable energy is justified by the new emphasis on security, freedom, and sovereignty. While it is too early to tell whether those discursive shifts will overall strengthen or weaken Germany's energy transition in the long run, they are important to understand political conflicts about the future of the project and its international repercussions.

Twilight of the Grids: The Impact of Distributed Solar on Germany's Energy Transition

This article is a reprint from T. Stetz, J. von Appen, F. Niedermeyer, G. Scheibner, R. Sikora and M. Braun, "Twilight of the Grids: The Impact of Distributed Solar on Germany’s Energy Transition," in IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 50-61, March-April 2015, doi: 10.1109/MPE.2014.2379971. Please access the original article on IEEE Xplore.

The Impact of Public Participation on Energy Policy: A Comparative Study

Large-scale participation from the public is essential for the development of energy policies that are effective, efficient, and sustainable. Public involvement in the policymaking process improves the openness, legitimacy, and social acceptance of energy policies. Nonetheless, the level of public participation in the development of energy policy varies considerably among countries and regions. This research looks at the impact of public engagement on energy policy using case studies in Germany, the United States, and China. This paper employs a case study comparison approach to analyze the benefits and drawbacks of public participation in energy decisions. Both theoretical and empirical approaches to the literature on public engagement with energy policy are discussed. The majority of the data was gathered via in-depth interviews with experts on energy policy, government officials, and representatives of civil society in the countries of concern. The information was examined via a thematic lens. According to the research, public participation in the development of energy policies may increase their social acceptability, legitimacy, and transparency. The shift to a more sustainable energy system may be aided by the discovery of novel and more effective policy choices, which can be uncovered via this process. The research did, however, point out a number of obstacles and restrictions to public participation, including a lack of resources, the difficulty of juggling multiple interests, and the possibility of conflicts. The amount and character of public participation in energy policy-making varies greatly among nations, as shown by the comparative study of case studies, reflecting disparities in political, social, and economic conditions. For instance, Germany's energy transition has been successful in part because of the country's long-standing system of public participation in energy policy. However, public participation is restricted in China's energy policy-making process, which has contributed to widespread mistrust and hostility to energy policies. The report finishes with a discussion of the results' implications for energy policy-making and ideas for increasing public participation in this area. Sustainable, democratic, and socially equitable energy policies are promoted in the research by emphasizing the necessity of public participation in the policymaking process.

Household Costs and Resistance to Germany's Energy Transition

Household Costs and Resistance to Germany's Energy Transition

Exploring the Impact of the War between Russia and Ukraine on Germany's Energy Policy

The Russo-Ukrainian War brought dramatic changes to the Current international system. The biggest challenge to Europe is the Energy Crisis because of the sanctions on Russian energy. These years many scholars have criticized neoliberalism and interdependence in government policy, and the war again accelerates that. This article is researching the impact of the energy crisis during the war in Germany. This research is helpful in understanding that the government needs to rethink neoliberalism as a guiding methodology and ideology. Based on the method of case study, this research found that it was necessary to develop realism’s interdependence in this scenario. 1) The only Channel during tensions is the role of the central government. 2) The Invisible Hierarchy lies in a nation’s policy decision. 3) Military forces are a vital part of world politics indirectly. As an extension of current realist theory, economic interdependence should be considered as a part of broader national security interests. Thus, Germany should reconsider its energy policy.

The value of recycling for low-carbon energy systems - A case study of Germany's energy transition

To achieve climate neutrality, synergies between circular economy and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions must be strengthened. Previously unused emission reduction potentials of resource efficiency are to be exploited. Since all potentially possible emission reduction measures are linked by interactions, the evaluation of a single measure in terms of cost efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with climate protection targets is very complex and requires a model-based analysis that takes the entire energy system into account.This work advances an energy system model for Germany so that through comprehensive modeling of industrial processes and implementation of recycling options, the impact of recycling measures in the context of national greenhouse gas mitigation strategies can be analyzed.The scenario evaluation shows that different recycling strategies have large effects on the German energy system. Without recycling energy demand in 2050 will increase by more than 300 TWh and cost of transformation will rise by 85% compared to a reference scenario, with today's recycling rates. On the other hand, if maximum recycling rates can be achieved, costs of transformation can be reduced by 26% until 2050. Recycling is an essential and cost-efficient greenhouse gas reduction strategy for future low-carbon energy system designs.

Integration of vertical solar power plants into a future German energy system

In Germany's future energy system wind and solar power directly cover all electricity demand for more than half of the year. Typical inclined south facing PV modules produce a strong peak around noon on sunny days. In east-west facing vertical PV modules energy yield peaks are shifted towards morning and afternoon hours. Such systems can be applied in agri photovoltaic power plants with similar energy yield per installed capacity to conventional photovoltaic systems. While installed power per area is by a factor 4 to 5 smaller, dual land use with agriculture allows for a technical potential in the terawatt hours per year range, which is comparable to half of entire German primary energy demand. In a simulation model based on the programme EnergyPLAN for Germany 2030 with 80% CO2 reduction related to 1990 the effect of different PV power plant orientations is investigated. In the model an optimum share of around 80% vertical PV systems is found without any electricity storages and 70% with electricity storage possibilities. It could be shown that vertical PV systems enable lower storage capacities or lower utilization of gas power plants. Without any storage options a reduction of the overall carbon dioxide emissions by up to 10.2 Mt/a is possible.

WindNODE – Showcasing Smart Energy Systems from Northeastern Germany. Lessons learnt from East Germany's biggest energy transition consortium

WindNODE – Showcasing Smart Energy Systems from Northeastern Germany. Lessons learnt from East Germany's biggest energy transition consortium

Sense of place in transitions: How the Hambach Forest Movement shaped the German coal phase-out

This article analyses how social movements shape the sense of place and influence energy transitions. It combines the Multi-Level Perspective of transition studies with the concept sense of place, allowing for an analysis of social movements at different levels linked to the role of placemaking. The Hambach Forest Movement and its network in Germany are taken as a case, drawing on 25 qualitative interviews with people related to the movement, the German Coal Commission, from civil society, and the energy company RWE. The paper finds that the interplay of activities of the network aiming for the protection of the Hambach Forest, and its international reverberations, led to the development of a strong sense of place. The sense of place was clearly reflected in the Coal Commission's final report in which a pathway for the German coal phase-out was outlined, a critical element of Germany's energy transition.

Whither Energiewende Strategies to manufacture uncertainty and unknowing to redirect Germany's renewable energy law

Whither Energiewende Strategies to manufacture uncertainty and unknowing to redirect Germany's renewable energy law

Whither Energiewende Strategies to manufacture uncertainty and unknowing to redirect Germany's renewable energy law

Whither Energiewende Strategies to manufacture uncertainty and unknowing to redirect Germany's renewable energy law

The Growing Impact of Decentralised Actors in Power Generation: A Comparative Analysis of the Energy Transition in Germany and Japan

This paper argues that, although Japan's and Germany's energy transition paths differ in detail, a trend towards decentralisation is clearly evident in both countries. Based on comprehensive screening, own stocktaking and the results of a stakeholder dialogue, this paper highlights the motivation for different local actors to enter the energy market in both countries. Although there are challenges to success in a market dominated by large energy companies, this paper argues that the benefits to local communities outweigh the efforts. Overall, it is shown that democratisation and the decentralisation of the energy system are suitable to facilitate a successful transformation process in both countries.

Interaction of hydrogen infrastructures with other sector coupling options towards a zero-emission energy system in Germany

The flexible coupling of sectors in the energy system, for example via battery electric vehicles, electric heating or electric fuel production, can contribute significantly to the integration of variable renewable electricity generation. For the implementation of the energy system transformation, however, there are numerous options for the design of sector coupling, each of which is accompanied by different infrastructure requirements. This paper presents the extension of the REMix energy system modelling framework to include the gas sector and its application for investigating the cost-optimal design of sector coupling in Germany's energy system. Considering an integrated optimisation of all relevant technologies in their capacities and hourly use, a path to a climate-neutral system in 2050 is analysed. We show that the different options for flexible sector coupling are all needed and perform different functions. Even though flexible electrolytic production of hydrogen takes on a very dominant role in 2050, it does not displace other technologies. Hydrogen also plays a central role in the seasonal balancing of generation and demand. Thus, large-scale underground storage is part of the optimal system in addition to a hydrogen transport network. These results provide valuable guidance for the implementation of the energy system transformation in Germany.