All posts tagged: Utilities
Renewables Squeezing Out Fossil Fuels
Over the course of the last two winters, the Energiewende’s opponents have warned in the shrillest tones that relying so heavily on PV and onshore wind would cause blackouts and power outages, leaving German industry prostrate and German citizens freezing in their homes. None of this came to bear, and Germany posted a new overall export record in 2012 and also exported more electricity than ever before.
Germans not worried about sluggish offshore wind progress
An article over at the Economist sums up the obstacles facing offshore wind in Germany fairly well, as a comparison with recent forecasts reveals. But while the report is well researched and accurate, Craig Morris says it nonetheless misses the point by taking offshore wind to be a crucial part of the Energiewende.
Time to put renewable energy initiatives centre stage in the Netherlands
Renewable energies play a minor role in politics and media of the Netherlands. While local initiatives have the potential to lead the way, the country and its economy are still built around fossil fuels. Suzanne Schenk compares the situation to Germany and demands a policy plan with not only more ambitious specified goals for 2050 but also for 2030.
Renewables co-op fights Vattenfall for control of Berlin grid
A Berlin citizens’ group wants to wrest control of the city’s electricity grid in order to promote renewable energy. They accuse current operator Vattenfall of failing to seek alternatives to fossil fuels. Louise Osborne met the activists.
The commercial sector discovers “own consumption”
The figures for ownership of renewables in Germany indicate a shift from private citizens, who still make up about half of investments, to the commercial sector. Craig Morris says some people saw this coming.
German renewables still ground-roots movement
German renewables organization AEE has published the update of its pie chart of ownership for 2012. Craig Morris explains what the different categories are.
The Battle over Electricity
Paul Hockenos recently sat down to interview energy and environment expert Claudia Kemfert. Kemfert, who is no spokesperson for the Greens or anyone else, argues that the naysayers are not shooting straight but rather have armed themselves with spurious arguments, low-ball populism, and outright lies. In her recent book, she aims to correct the myths that, she argues, are slowly turning Germans against the clean energy switch.
The Myth of “We’ll Just do Both”
Some energy companies and politicians argue that the choice is not between renewables and fossil fuels, but a question of compromise of holistic energy mix, sometimes framed as “all of the above” strategy. Kirsten Hasberg argues that this strategy is flawed.