Was shutting down nuclear power plants too soon, alongside the limitations of renewable energy (specifically wind & solar) storage and capacity issues, a factor in producing a situation where although making significant improvements, that Germany will fail to reach it's targets and will continue to rely on coal for energy generation?
"If Germany can’t succeed after all its efforts, it would be a signal the world must adopt more costly strategies to rein in emissions—like capturing carbon pollution directly from the smokestacks of factories and utilities.
“Germany’s miss has bigger implications,” said Myles Allen, a climate change expert at Imperial College London. “The only thing that matters now is what we’re going to do on carbon capture. Without it, we won’t meet climate goals.”
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2018-germany-emissions/
Dear Jason,
this is a strong bat you are swinging ;)!
Please do not underestimate the German 'Ingenieurskunst'. In fact, there are already days in the year, when Germany is run by almost 99% of renewable energy.
Have a look at the 50-Hertz-App. Unfortunately there are also dark days with low wind.
So far, the political opinion still sticks to the thought that a European energy market would take care of everything. However, I doubt that due to the missing transport capabilities. Yet there is a lot to come. Numerous processes for power-2-x are in place such as methanisation by www.hz-inova.com or synthetic fuels by www.sunfire.de
Karsten
Dear Karsten,
I’m not one underestimate Germany - I’ve loved & worked in Berlin and was impressed by the wind turbines lining the autobahns between Hamburg & Berin ( a route I travelled a few times). However there is a lot of concerns with the system and it’s effectiveness specifically with regards to its distributional impacts and energy poverty rates in Germany, as well as missing (albeit ambitious) targets.
I ask not to deride noble efforts at reducing Germany’s (significant) carbon footprint but to instead learn from where it is failing.
While I won’t underestimate German ‘ingenieurskunst’ I also wont buy into German hubris ;)
This policy has failed in some aspects and it’s important to evaluate these failures.
I would not go so far as to say that it is a failure but there are of course challenges that need to be addressed, e.g. the transmission of wind-generated energy across the country.
However, public opinions on nuclear power plants and using coal for power generation are rather clear - and I would say it is positive that this is addressed by policy makers.
Thank you for your contribution Benni, I’d be inclined to agree - I think some policies such as adopting before research brought the costs down to make it sufficiently affordable would have been a positive step - but as a statement of intent, it’s been successful in indicating a willingness to address the issue of climate change.
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