All posts tagged: RWE

RWE: Embracing renewables worldwide, while clinging to coal in Germany

March 11, 2020

After swallowing up many assets of former rival E.ON and daughter company Innogy in a reconfiguration of both the European and global energy sectors, the new RWE has pledged to become carbon neutral by 2040. Long Europe’s worst polluter and a steadfast opponent of the clean energy transition, it’s working hard to rebrand itself as a green innovator. However, as it plans to annually invest 1.5 billion euros in new wind, solar photovoltaic and storage, RWE is mainly focusing outside of its German backyard where it continues to generate the filthiest energy in the world, cynically profiting off the rapidly slowing Energiewende. Michael Buchsbaum explains the new RWE.

Fire in the holes: Transforming mined out lands into solar plants

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

September 26, 2019

While most post-mining plans, especially for surface mines, calls for pits to be redeveloped into lakes or farm land, an increasing body of research and evidence shows that these ripped-up landscapes can be successfully transformed into clean energy gold mines—whose solar PV resource potential, unlike coal’s, is infinite. L. Michael Buchsbaum reports

Deliberate de-liberalization: The case of the RWE-E.ON-Innogy merger

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

September 10, 2019

The complex merger deal will transform Europe’s worst polluter, RWE, into one of its largest renewable energy generators allowing it unprecedented behind-the-meter influence as partner E.ON dominates German grid distribution and consumer access. This poses a threat for competition and could upend Europe’s energy transition.

Dirty fuel switch: Germany and Western Europe’s CO2 emissions fall as utilities ditch coal for cheap fossil gas

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

August 12, 2019

Approaching this summer’s midpoint, despite record-setting heat and continued drought in Europe, one positive development amidst the growing climate crisis is the sustained fall of coal’s generation market share throughout most of the continent. L. Michael Buchsbaum reports

German renewable energy cooperatives struggle as markets collapse

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

June 19, 2019

The accelerating downward pressure on onshore wind energy expansion in Germany is paralyzing the industry. Community-owned renewable producers have been hit hardest, and elbowed out of the few markets that remain. L. Michael Buchsbaum takes an in-depth look.

Germany plans to convert coal plants into renewable energy storage sites

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

May 15, 2019

With Germany’s coal plants scheduled to close by 2038, operators now face some major decisions about how to restructure energy systems. One idea is to convert polluting power stations into batteries. L. Michael Buchsbaum takes a look.

Renewables produced 77% of Germany’s electricity on Easter Monday

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

May 6, 2019

Awash in sunshine and gentle breezes, over the spring Easter holiday, renewable energy production throughout Germany began to climb, hitting a record on Easter Monday as roughly 77% of electricity was generated by renewables. Is this a further sign that coal is on its way out? L. Michael Buchsbaum presents the facts.

Sacrifice towns: dispatches from Germany’s Energiewende frontlines

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

April 22, 2019

For most people, the transition away from coal and fossil fuels towards clean energy production is a remote idea. But for citizens living in a handful of towns located within Germany’s remaining brown coal mining districts, the Energiewende, or its increasingly slow progress, is anything but remote, L. Michael Buchsbaum explains.

Dead lakes, dry holes: RWE’s post-mining plans threatened by climate change

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

February 8, 2019

RWE is digging the biggest hole in Europe for dirty lignite – and they don’t have a working plan to deal with the consequences, says L. Michael Buchsbaum.

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All posts tagged: RWE

RWE: Embracing renewables worldwide, while clinging to coal in Germany

Fire in the holes: Transforming mined out lands into solar plants

Deliberate de-liberalization: The case of the RWE-E.ON-Innogy merger

Dirty fuel switch: Germany and Western Europe’s CO2 emissions fall as utilities ditch coal for cheap fossil gas

German renewable energy cooperatives struggle as markets collapse

Germany plans to convert coal plants into renewable energy storage sites

Renewables produced 77% of Germany’s electricity on Easter Monday

Sacrifice towns: dispatches from Germany’s Energiewende frontlines

Dead lakes, dry holes: RWE’s post-mining plans threatened by climate change