In 1970 The German government began to sponsor renewable energy to lessen dependence on fossil fuels. The federal government began to support wind turbine research and development (R&D). Germany had developed the largest wind turbine ever but was regarded as a failure due to technology limitations. Germany has been a leader in using renewable energy since the 1990’s a Federal Electricity Feed Law (StrEG) was adopted in 1991 important for promotion of renewable energy during 1990s. Germany wanted to address the climate change that had been occurring and cut green house gas emissions and has invested 3 billion Euros in renewable energy R&D since 1990, and is expected to spend more than 300 billion euros on green energy by 2030. Also Germant has had more government funding then other energy R&D since 1990. In April 2000, Germany’s Renewable Energy Law (EEG) surpassed StrEG and succeeded promoting wind and solar technologies, but there was still trouble competing with fossil fuels. Germany has relied on policies to promote renewable energy: investment in R&D, government loans, subsidies, and tax allowances.
There are many challenges that Germany is facing and more that will arise in the future. Although renewable energy has grown rapidly, it still is only a small part of total energy consumptionResearch and Development is still greatly needed because there has been an energy shortfall due to lack of sun and wind.. Many households are complaining they will not be able to pay their energy bills if the electricity price increases 10%, as expected. These high electricity prices are due to getting rid of nuclear power and requiring renewable energy.
Currently Germany has been very successful in their efforts and are leading Europe into using Green energy. They have lead in biodiesel sales, largest market for solar heating systems, substantial green electricity share, and many other things. The country has recently reduced green house gasses a significant amount. They have eliminated many fossil fuel power stations and want to eliminate their use of nuclear power by 2020. Renewable energy is responsible for the 2.4% drop in CO2 emissions in comparison with 2010. The electricity produced using renewable energy has increased form 20% to 25% from January to June 2012. As of now biomass, wind and solar energy makes up 25% of electricity supply. Germany’s goal is to have 35% of electricity come from renewable sources by 2020 and 80% by 2050. R&D is still necessary for the success of green energy. Germany is expected to spend 20 billion Euros in 2013 to continue their efforts toward Green Energy.
http://www.globalchange.umd.edu/energytrends/germany/
January 28th, 2013 at 9:38 pm
I really liked your blog about Germany’s green energy policy. I think that you put a lot of information into the article, which made it a good informative read. I also liked how you broke it up into sections. For me it is always much more pleasing to read an article that is broken up properly and not just one block of writing. Overall, I really liked your blog.
January 31st, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Ashley, your article is most enlightening however my research has led me to believe that the spike in electricity costs in Germany are not because of their decommissioning of Nuclear plants but infact because returns on their investments in green energy have not been as fruitful as you claim them to have been. Also what you neglected to mention is how Solar panels and heating systems are only being installed in the houses of the rich while using money from the pockets of regular tax payers. The average German still has to pay exorbitant amounts for heating and other utilities.