How Germany generates its electricity – wind power and water – increasing shift away from limited fossil energy sources

In recent decades, the way electricity is generated in Germany has changed significantly. In fact, the scale of this change demonstrates how impressive the transition to renewable energy has been in this country.

1️⃣ The Evolution of Renewable Energies 🍃

Germany has made remarkable progress in transitioning to renewable energy sources. Previously, particularly in 1990, renewable energies ranked only sixth – behind such heavyweights as lignite, nuclear power, hard coal, gas, and natural gas. Now they are at the top, supplying about a quarter of Germany's total electricity.

2️⃣ From Coal to Renewables 🌬️➡️🔋

The transition from coal, especially lignite and hard coal, to renewable energies has not only ecological but also economic advantages. It reflects Germany's desire to create a sustainable energy future while minimizing environmental impact.

3️⃣ Reducing dependence on fossil fuels 🛢️➡️☀️

By switching to renewable energy sources, Germany has been able to significantly reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, especially gas and natural gas. This means fewer emissions and less strain on the environment.

4️⃣ The contribution of the AG Energiebilanzen eV 📊

The data from the AG Energiebilanzen eV (Working Group on Energy Balances) offers a detailed insight into Germany's energy transition. It is remarkable how transparently and openly Germany presents its energy consumption data and trends, which in turn underscores the country's commitment to environmental protection and renewable energy production.

5️⃣ Future prospects for renewable energies 🌅

With its continued commitment to renewable energy sources and ongoing developments in energy technology, Germany is expected to remain at the forefront of the energy transition in the coming years. It will be exciting to see how the technology evolves and how Germany will utilize it to become even more environmentally friendly.

📣 Similar topics

• 🍃 The impressive rise of renewable energies in Germany
• 🌬️➡️🔋 The transition from coal to green energy
• 🛢️➡️☀️ Reducing dependence on fossil fuels
• 📊 Insights into Germany's energy balances
• 🌅 What does the future hold for Germany's energy?
• 🍃 The Green Revolution: Germany's Path to 100% Renewable Energy
• 🌬️ Germany's energy landscape: A look back and forward
• 🌞 Germany on its way to becoming the solar capital of Europe?
• 💡 How Germany revolutionized its energy strategy
• 🌍 Germany's role in a sustainable global energy future

#️⃣ Hashtags: #EnergiewendeDeutschland #ErneuerEnergie #VonKohlenZuGrün #DeutschlandEnergiebilanz #ZukunftDerEnergie

Our experienced team will support you in optimizing your buildings to reduce energy consumption and promote sustainable energy use with photovoltaics. We analyze your individual needs and create tailor-made concepts that make sense both economically and ecologically. Regardless of whether it is about the energy-efficient renovation of existing buildings or the construction of new energy-efficient structures, we are at your side. Industrial facilities, retail buildings and municipal facilities can reduce their energy costs and reduce environmental impact while improving the comfort and efficiency of their buildings through our tailored solutions.

Advice and solutions can be found here 👈🏻

We offer comprehensive support for private households in the energy-efficient renovation and construction of new buildings with photovoltaics. Our experienced team is at your side to help you advise, plan and implement your sustainable energy solutions. We analyze your energy consumption, identify savings potential and develop tailor-made concepts to improve your energy efficiency. From improving building insulation to installing energy-efficient windows and doors to installing photovoltaic and solar systems - we accompany you step by step to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. Trust in our expertise and benefit from the numerous advantages that energy renovation and the use of renewable energies offer you. Together we will create a sustainable future for your home.

Get in touch with us 👈🏻

With our user-friendly solar system planner you can plan your individual solar system online. Whether you need a solar system for your home, your business or for agricultural purposes, our planner offers you the opportunity to take your specific requirements into account and develop a tailor-made solution.

The planning process is simple and intuitive. You simply enter relevant information. Our planner takes this information into account and creates a tailor-made solar system that meets your needs. You can try out different options and configurations to find the optimal solar system for your application.

Additionally, you can save your plan to review later or share with others. Our customer service team is also available to answer your questions and provide support to ensure your solar system is optimally planned.

Use our solar system planner to plan your individual solar system for the most common applications and advance the transition to clean energy. Start now and take an important step towards sustainability and energy independence!

The solar system planner for the most common applications: Plan the solar system online here - Image: Xpert.Digital

More about it here:

• Solar system planner

🗒️ Hydropower is the most important energy source for global renewable energy production. Around 40 percent of global renewable energy is generated from hydropower, with wind power contributing more than a quarter to renewable energy generation since 2020.

The global energy transition is in full swing, with renewable energies at its heart. Hydropower plays a key role in this. Here is a detailed analysis of hydropower and its significance compared to other renewable energies.

🌀 The dominance of hydropower

Hydropower is the oldest form of renewable energy and has proven its worth for centuries. It generates around 40 percent of global renewable energy. This is due not only to the availability and efficiency of hydropower plants, but also to the continuous and reliable energy production they offer.

🌊 Advantages of hydropower

Consistent and reliable

Compared to other renewable energies, such as solar and wind power, hydropower is less dependent on the weather and offers a constant energy source.

Environmentally friendly

Hydropower plants do not emit greenhouse gases and thus contribute to reducing the CO2 footprint.

Scalable

Hydroelectric power plants come in different sizes, from large dams to smaller facilities for communities.

💨 Wind power on the rise

Since 2020, wind power has already contributed more than a quarter to renewable energy generation. The technology has developed rapidly in recent years, increasing efficiency and reducing costs.

Future prospects

• With the increasing demand for clean energy and technological advances in wind turbines, the share of wind power is expected to continue to grow.
• There are also efforts to build floating wind farms at sea, which have the potential to be even more efficient.

🤝 The combination of hydropower and wind energy

Both energy sources complement each other perfectly. While hydropower ensures a constant energy supply, wind energy can be added during periods of high demand or favorable wind conditions.

📣 Similar topics

• 🌀 Hydropower: The backbone of renewable energies
• 🌊 Hydropower: A clean and constant energy source
• 💨 Wind energy: The future of renewable energies?
• 🌍 The role of renewables in the global energy transition
• ⚙️ Technology and progress: Wind power in transition
• 🤔 How hydropower and wind energy complement each other
• 🌱 The green path: Why renewable energies are the future
• 📈 The rapid rise of wind energy since 2020
• 🌬️ Harnessing the untamed power of the wind

#️⃣ Hashtags: #Hydropower #WindEnergy #RenewableEnergies #EnergyTransition #SustainableFuture

The future of energy production lies in combining various renewable energy sources. Hydropower remains a pillar of renewable energy, while wind power continues to gain in importance.

In recent decades, climate change has made headlines worldwide. The intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and melting glaciers are unmistakable signs of the need for change. Discussions about climate change have triggered a rethink in the energy sector.

1. Moving away from fossil fuels 💨

Fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas have long been the main sources of energy production. But they are not only finite resources, they are also major contributors to greenhouse gases, which drive climate change. Burning these fuels releases large amounts of CO2, contributing to global warming.

2. Rise of renewable energies ☀️🌊🍃

Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energies are virtually inexhaustible. Here are some of the best-known:

Bioenergy 🌱

It is derived from biological materials. This can be plant waste, wood, or even animal manure. Bioenergy can be used to generate heat, electricity, or fuel.

Geothermal energy 🌋

It uses the Earth's natural heat to generate energy.

Hydropower 🌊

It uses the movement of water, such as rivers or tides, to generate electricity.

Solar energy ☀️

Converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells.

Wind energy 🍃

Converts the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity.

3. Advantages of renewable energies ✅

Environmentally friendly

They produce little or no greenhouse gases.

Inexhaustible

They are based on natural resources that regenerate or do not run out.

Promotes economic development

Research and development of renewable energy technologies creates jobs and drives economic development.

📣 Similar topics

• 🍃 The Winds of Change: Why Renewable Energies Are the Future
• ☀️ Solar energy: The inexhaustible potential
• 🌱 Bioenergy: Green energy from nature
• 💨 Fossil fuels: A thing of the past?
• 🌋 Geothermal energy: Harnessing the Earth's heat
• ✅ The numerous advantages of renewable energies
• 🌊 Hydropower: The power of flowing water
• 🌍 Climate change: Why the energy transition must happen now
• 🔋 The Green Technology Revolution
• 📈 Economic growth through green energy

#️⃣ Hashtags: #RenewableEnergy #ClimateChange #EnvironmentallyFriendly #FutureOfEnergy #Sustainability

Overall, the global shift towards renewable energies demonstrates the recognition of the urgency to respond to climate change and create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

Energy consumption in Germany was around 7 percent lower in the first six months of this year than in the same period last year. According to preliminary calculations by the Working Group on Energy Balances (AG Energiebilanzen), domestic primary energy consumption in the first half of 2023 reached 5,561 petajoules (PJ), or 189.7 million tons of coal equivalent (Mio. tce). This was 7.1 percent less than in the first half of the previous year.

According to the Working Group on Energy Balances, the significant decline in consumption is due to high energy prices and weak economic growth. Weather conditions had only a minor impact on consumption in the first half of the year. Only the population increase resulting from the current refugee movements led to an increase in energy consumption, but this increase was significantly smaller than the effects that reduced consumption.

The Working Group on Energy Balances assumes that prices significantly determine the course of energy consumption. Although prices on the energy markets have fallen noticeably compared to the first half of 2022, the price level is still considerably higher than in 2021. According to the Working Group on Energy Balances, energy prices thus continue to provide impetus for energy savings, albeit with a slightly weaker intensity. The Working Group on Energy Balances distinguishes between current, behavior-related energy savings and investments in energy efficiency with longer-term effects. Furthermore, the consumption-reducing effects of overall economic development are currently strongly influenced by the significantly reduced production output of energy-intensive industries (chemicals, metals, paper, and glass). While production in the entire manufacturing sector stagnated in the first five months of the year, energy-intensive industries recorded a decline of 13 percent.

Heating energy consumption was only minimally affected by weather conditions in the first six months. While temperatures during the reporting period were slightly lower than in the same period of the previous year, the first three months, which are particularly important for heating demand, were warmer than in the previous year. Adjusted for the slightly consumption-increasing effect of the weather, energy consumption in the first half of the year would have decreased by 7.6 percent.

Mineral oil consumption decreased by 2.0 percent in the first six months of this year. While gasoline consumption rose by almost 6 percent, diesel fuel consumption saw a slight decline of just over 1 percent. Sales of aviation fuel increased by 7.5 percent. Deliveries of naphtha to the chemical industry decreased by almost 20 percent. In contrast, sales of light heating oil rose by 16 percent, as many consumers increased their stockpiles.

Natural gas consumption decreased by 10.1 percent in the first half of 2023. This decline is attributable partly to reduced industrial use of natural gas, and partly to consumption by residential customers and small businesses, which was also around 10 percent below the long-term average. According to preliminary calculations, electricity generation from natural gas fell by approximately 4 percent, while district heating production decreased by just over 2 percent.

Hard coal consumption fell by 10.8 percent in the first half of the year. Its use in power plants declined by almost 19 percent. Price changes in fuels and lower electricity demand led to a reduction in coal use in power plants. Sales of hard coal to the iron and steel industry decreased by 2 percent during the reporting period. It was found that carbon-intensive oxygen steel production fell by only 1.7 percent, while electric steel production declined by 13 percent, as high domestic industrial electricity prices are not competitive internationally.

Lignite consumption decreased by approximately 18 percent. This decline largely corresponds to the development of deliveries to public power plants and is primarily attributable to significantly reduced domestic electricity consumption and favorable generation conditions in neighboring countries. Despite this substantial decrease, lignite, with a share of nearly 18 percent, remained the second most important source of electricity generation in Germany, after renewables.

Electricity generation from nuclear power fell by 57 percent in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. This decline in production is attributable to the extended operation of the last three nuclear power plants in Germany (Neckarwestheim 2, Emsland, and Isar 2) and their final decommissioning on April 15, 2023.

Electricity exports to Germany in the first half of the year exceeded imports by 3.1 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). In the same period last year, the net electricity trade balance was 17.3 billion kWh. In the second quarter of this year, Germany became a net importer with an import surplus of 6.4 billion kWh. Germany's higher import balance is considered a sign of a functioning European internal electricity market. Germany was able to benefit in part from more favorable generation options in neighboring countries. In addition, weather conditions led to temporarily higher electricity generation from hydropower in the Alpine region and Scandinavia. Furthermore, the expansion of renewable energies in other European countries is progressing and has increased supply. Finally, the decommissioning of the last three nuclear power plants in Germany and the higher availability of nuclear energy in France compared to the previous year are also reasons for the import surplus in the second quarter of 2023.

The contribution of renewable energies increased slightly by 0.6 percent in the first half of 2023. Electricity generation from renewable energy sources fell slightly by 1 percent. Heat supply increased by 5 percent, and the transport sector saw growth of 3 percent.

The slightly less favorable weather conditions compared to the previous year led to slight declines in both photovoltaic (-1 percent) and wind power generation (-3 percent). Electricity generation from biomass decreased by 4 percent. In contrast, hydropower saw an increase of 9 percent. The Working Group on Energy Balances assumes that the use of ambient heat by heat pumps increased by approximately 13 percent and that the use of wood by private households and in the commercial and service sectors grew by about 7 percent in the first half of 2023.

According to a preliminary estimate by the Working Group on Energy Balances, energy-related CO₂ emissions fell by more than eight percent in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period of the previous year. This corresponds to a reduction on the order of 28 million tons (Mt).

Consumers and industry react to high energy prices

Development of primary energy consumption, first half of 2023

Percentage changes – Total 5,561 PJ or 189.7 million tons of coal equivalent

Consumers and industry react to high energy prices – Image: Working Group on Energy Balances

Primary energy consumption in the first half of 2023 declined by 7.1 percent to 5,561 petajoules (PJ), or 189.7 million tons of coal equivalent (Mtce), compared to the first half of the previous year. The decline affected all energy sources except renewables. The persistently high price level led to increased energy savings and investments in energy efficiency. Production cuts occurred in industry. The contribution of nuclear energy decreased, as the three remaining power plant units were permanently decommissioned after their phased operation.

Shifts in the energy mix

Structure of primary energy consumption in Germany

First half of 2023 – total 5,561 PJ or 189.7 million tons of coal equivalent

Percentage shares (previous year's period in brackets)

Shifts in the energy mix – Image: Working Group on Energy Balances

The decline in domestic energy consumption by more than 7 percent in the first six months of 2023, along with differing consumption trends among individual energy sources, led to changes in the energy mix. Renewables and petroleum increased their shares. In contrast, the shares of hard coal, lignite, and natural gas declined due to consumption reductions that significantly exceeded the overall decrease. Nuclear energy still made a small contribution as a result of the temporary extended operation of the three remaining power plant units. The share of other energy sources, including the electricity trade balance, increased because Germany imported more electricity than it exported to neighboring countries in the second quarter of 2023.

Source: press release