GasBuddy Blog

GasBuddy News Article

votes

Germany Hits Brakes on Race to Renewable Energy Future

Power Engineering -- Many scoffed at the initial target that Chancellor Angela Merkel set last June, when she announced that Germany was turning away from nuclear power and toward renewable energies. Her government decided that by 2020 renewables would make up a 35 percent share of the energy mix. It was, said many experts at the time, an impossible goal.

In the 14 months since then, however, the situation has changed dramatically. In the first half of 2012, the country generated fully 25 percent of its electricity needs via wind, solar and other alternative power sources. Doubts as to whether the 35 percent target is attainable have virtually vanished.

Now a new set of problems have cropped up, and quickly. The fast pace into the renewables future has meant that German consumers are faced with skyrocketing

Read the Full Article

Submitted Aug 29, 2012 By: angel4me

Back To News

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics

Author	Topic: Germany Hits Brakes on Race to Renewable Energy Future	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First

Next Last

MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,551 Points:768,795 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 9:53:58 PM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse Still think that the correct sensible energy policy is to utilize all of the possible sources of energy and let the free market sort out the winners without any governmental interference or assistance to any one type of energy that all of the other type of energy do not also receive. While we are utilizing the winners as determined by the free market, we will need to continue basic R&D into the development of the losing sources of energy for the day that the winning sources of energy become prohibitively expensive to use or can no longer support our energy needs. This policy should not have any direct subsidies to any energy source once that energy technology is in the commercial production phase that is not also provided in kind to all of the other energy sources in the commercial production phase.
LetemEatCake Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:5,615 Points:1,207,555 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 8:53:24 PM Ignore LetemEatCake Report Abuse Interesting article Angel4me, thanks for posting!
rbrk02 Champion Author Rhode Island Posts:5,758 Points:820,155 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 6:23:34 PM Ignore rbrk02 Report Abuse It seems that Germany is learning it's lesson the hard way. Hopefully, the US will learn from Germany's error so we do not repeat it.
carranco Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,027 Points:269,765 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 2:29:10 PM Ignore carranco Report Abuse The consequences of rushing to alternatives. We are blessed with plenty of coal, oil and gas. We don't need to make these mistakes.
leemun Champion Author Utah Posts:5,549 Points:1,043,050 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 8:53:25 AM Ignore leemun Report Abuse Not to mention supplementing the German grid with oil-generated power imported from Austria. This is what happens when you jump for a fad without thinking through the consequences. This could bring down the conservatives in Germany, which are really the only rational political group in the EU.
puinsai808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,559 Points:730,230 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 7:41:27 AM Ignore puinsai808 Report Abuse ok
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,497 Points:734,555 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 7:14:40 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Good to look at and learn.
VomVom Champion Author Calgary Posts:3,857 Points:1,627,080 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 6:29:27 AM Ignore VomVom Report Abuse Lessons learned anyone? This dogmatic approach (both Merkel's and Obama's) to renewable energy; to go green for the sake of going green under the current difficult world economic situation is ill advised and down right irresponsible.
orphancarguyPE Champion Author PEI Posts:3,865 Points:737,915 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 6:04:43 AM Ignore orphancarguyPE Report Abuse In the rush to replace oil, lots of mistakes were made, especially of the 'paying too much for power at fixed rates' sort everywhere. It kick-started industries, but now is the time--now that the facilities are there and running- to scale pack the premium prices paid. It will take longer for the equipment to be amortized, is all. Germany and other places had too much success with alternatives, and now after a sudden overly large meal, have to digest it. It doesn't mean that renewables don't work, and work well, its just now that they are built, the model has to go from incentives for quick-build to a sustainable framework of pricing for steady state production. That renewables everywhere were so successful caught all the long range planners by surprise. In Germany's case, filling in some gaps such as some natural gas plants would be a priority. Its a tough choice for the Germans, because essentially all their natural gas is imported too, like their oil. Thinking about building hydrogen production using excess electricity from wind turbines, and burning it in power plants when demand is higher than wind is another slightly longer term solution. To give a smaller scale answer to what Germany and other places could do to improve the situation, look no further than here--little Prince Edward Island. Like Germany, which at least has coal, we have really no power resources (not even coal) other than wind, and solar in all its forms, both electricity and heating. All our grid power was imported....and we have a real problem as we are running out of undersea cable capacity to import more. We could install another cable, but that is truly hellishly expensive. We still have an oil-fired power plant, but those days are 40 years over, and now it is just for "real emergency" backup power as it costs too much to run regularly. We now get 30% of our electricity from wind turbines spread out across the entire province, so where there is calm, it might be windy elsewhere and it balances out. We had some incentives to build them, but the ongoing production was not really subsidized. The provincial government built some directly and sold power to the private utility. The second city (and many other smaller municipalities too) put up their own turbines, largely to cut their electric purchasing costs for running streetlights, water pumping and sewage treatment, and also municipal rinks and other amenities. Summerside has its own municipal power utility, and went into it in a big way, and now gets between 25% and 100% of the electricity needed to supply itself and their customers from turbines. Its very lucrative for them: a $30 million investment = $18 million in income = $1 million in return on investment/profit every year. 3.33% ROI is nothing to sneeze at...and this is all from market, not subsidized, electricity rates. Other wind farms are private corps--we believe in a mix of development here. After an initial burst of building, subsequent developments have been tightly controlled so that supply doesn't overrun handling capacity improvements. Putting up turbines is a lot faster than renewing and re-arranging the grid infrastructure. If I put a small windmill (and many people have here, from the 400w to 2.5 kw range for individual homes and farms) I would either use it myself as a parallel system to the utility with inverters and backup batteries etc, OR sell it to the utility completely and buy back electricity from the utility for actual use, on the two electric meter system. The rate both ways is the same--no subsidies or higher feed-in tariffs here. Sure, it takes somewhat longer to make back your investment, but the model is financially sound and self perpetuating AT MARKET RATES for electricity. With our power being imported, both wind turbines and (now lower cost) solar PV are viable, cost wise, over time. We are experiencing some current small problems in integrating all of it onto our grid, partly because we have some excess located where we don't really need or can use it, and people have been adopting small wind turbines and some solar PV on their own faster than was expected. Adjustments, rather than huge changes needed. Before, we had worries of not getting enough power INTO the province, and now we have more at times than we need and it would be nice to be able to export it, but our main trunk cables on/off Island are one way only at present. Again, huge $$$$ to build an export cable. The province has been exploring (and building) demonstration facilities to turn excess electricity into hydrogen to store and use later in a 'hydrogen village' concept but it is a long term solution and we have a short term problem. New windfarms are tightly controlled as to size and location so that we don't overwhelm the grid. Whenever you build fast, you have to step back and re-assess the goals regularly to avoid the problems that Germany and Ontario are now experiencing. It can be done...
sljbc475 Champion Author Tucson Posts:4,235 Points:875,300 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 5:46:24 AM Ignore sljbc475 Report Abuse Time for new leadership this election.
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,308 Points:1,471,545 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 5:07:25 AM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Skyrocketing prices coming fast to America under Obama.
doeslayersr Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,133 Points:874,930 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 4:50:39 AM Ignore doeslayersr Report Abuse Reality has set in.
58salty Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:6,662 Points:632,815 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 3:08:11 AM Ignore 58salty Report Abuse OK
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:11,669 Points:2,362,895 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 1:59:27 AM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse Interesting but shows it can be done and without nuclear, for now.
TXryder Champion Author Texas Posts:2,725 Points:435,655 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 1:28:31 AM Ignore TXryder Report Abuse ok
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:7,400 Points:1,688,420 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:24:29 AM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse Sounds like leaping before they looked. There are always consequences of change and usually that is increased costs...
DblChek Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,345 Points:616,120 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:20:45 AM Ignore DblChek Report Abuse SkooterG, spot on.
LVNV6ofSpades Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:1,624 Points:362,260 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:15:46 AM Ignore LVNV6ofSpades Report Abuse not surprising
VDubBill Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,765 Points:1,263,870 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:15:43 AM Ignore VDubBill Report Abuse "The fast pace into the renewables future has meant that German consumers are faced with skyrocketing electricity bills and that the country's energy grid has suddenly become outdated." In other words, you can be green and have all the wind and solar you want, as long as you are not afraid to throw all kinds of money at the projects.
divebomber Champion Author Nebraska Posts:6,093 Points:1,815,200 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:15:34 AM Ignore divebomber Report Abuse THE FUTURE IS HYDROGEN!
DrivingFool2 Champion Author Appleton Posts:8,602 Points:1,608,790 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:15:31 AM Ignore DrivingFool2 Report Abuse okay
SkooterG Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,359 Points:330,085 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:15:01 AM Ignore SkooterG Report Abuse What an interesting fiasco. I see government and energy policy is just as incompetent over there as over here, and politics and energy don't make good bed fellows over there as much as they don't over here.
findcheap Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:9,612 Points:2,012,800 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:12:32 AM Ignore findcheap Report Abuse take it easy
runner74 Champion Author Washington Posts:2,720 Points:571,165 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:11:49 AM Ignore runner74 Report Abuse ok
truckpdlr Champion Author Tucson Posts:2,964 Points:1,099,020 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:11:47 AM Ignore truckpdlr Report Abuse $$$$$$$$$$$$$
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:9,739 Points:2,158,320 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:10:20 AM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse Maybe they have a good idea?
steve621 Champion Author Wilmington Posts:2,012 Points:2,111,105 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:08:31 AM Ignore steve621 Report Abuse ok
OaklandInvaders Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,366 Points:571,180 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:08:15 AM Ignore OaklandInvaders Report Abuse ha ha LOL
Gasazhunter Champion Author Phoenix Posts:4,220 Points:1,029,670 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:07:29 AM Ignore Gasazhunter Report Abuse Ok.
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,411 Points:1,880,005 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:04:48 AM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse It's always the consumer that pays for all this crap in the long run. So when will we get a break?
ddgb40 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:1,431 Points:360,380 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:03:57 AM Ignore ddgb40 Report Abuse ????
heydano67 Champion Author California Posts:1,681 Points:360,460 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2012 12:00:23 AM Ignore heydano67 Report Abuse one step ahead
Matt G Champion Author Boston Posts:4,548 Points:2,775,965 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:54:58 PM Ignore Matt G Report Abuse Ok
spud5559 Veteran Author Yakima Posts:287 Points:85,465 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:54:29 PM Ignore spud5559 Report Abuse too bad
furiousfowl Champion Author Riverside Posts:16,870 Points:2,752,105 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:54:13 PM Ignore furiousfowl Report Abuse interesting
Samo1961 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,910 Points:623,600 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:54:11 PM Ignore Samo1961 Report Abuse WOW..........
PetroScopper Champion Author Houston Posts:6,634 Points:1,552,840 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:49:58 PM Ignore PetroScopper Report Abuse Every country is facing a few issues right now... Germany is only one of many.
Red7002011 Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,347 Points:671,645 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:47:53 PM Ignore Red7002011 Report Abuse Really!
sprocketsplines Champion Author Washington Posts:1,697 Points:863,565 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:47:48 PM Ignore sprocketsplines Report Abuse Much of the renewable is based on technology that hasn't been proven in a large scale implementation. So it is not surprising that the implementation costs are now being given a second thought.
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,091 Points:2,472,915 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:47:13 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse The bottom line here is simple... while we save some resources on one hand... are we willing to spend more to have it that way?
gasmack Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,720 Points:670,350 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:45:59 PM Ignore gasmack Report Abuse Interesting. Gives us something to think about in our development efforts.
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:9,543 Points:3,082,625 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:40:26 PM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse It's going to get harder and harder to meet this goal because they've already picked the "low-hanging fruit".
tco9436 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:1,782 Points:724,975 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:33:54 PM Ignore tco9436 Report Abuse Oh boy! Thought this was the future!
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,501 Points:1,674,095 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:32:28 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Surprise German people... you've been sold a bill of goods... how does the Kool Aid taste... headed here, if the liberals stay in power.
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,501 Points:1,674,095 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:31:02 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse whoopie... nice comment, what does that mean...
jcdakota Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,347 Points:361,345 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:30:59 PM Ignore jcdakota Report Abuse Typical governmental policy jump in then try to find a boat.
suicyco16 All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:577 Points:289,695 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:28:37 PM Ignore suicyco16 Report Abuse whoopee
fishgaro Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,509 Points:347,835 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:27:20 PM Ignore fishgaro Report Abuse they forgot the rule "if it sounds too good to be real, chances are it isn't real". jumped in without thinking..
Melinda205 Champion Author Alabama Posts:1,850 Points:361,740 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:26:10 PM Ignore Melinda205 Report Abuse Hmmm
abacus44 Champion Author Toms River Posts:3,495 Points:750,665 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Aug 28, 2012 11:26:07 PM Ignore abacus44 Report Abuse That's what happens when governments set arbitrary standards and deadlines.