Wind power worldwide: market leaders, innovations and the role of Germany Wind energy - power from the air and its importance for the future

🍃 Progress and challenges in wind energy development in Germany

Wind energy is considered one of the leading renewable energy sources worldwide and plays a central role in the energy transition, the desired transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies. Since the early 2000s, installed wind energy capacity has recorded steady growth, reaching an impressive mark of over 1,000 gigawatts in 2023. In 2023 alone, around 117 gigawatts of new capacity was installed worldwide, which is also a new high.

With around 69 gigawatts of installed wind energy capacity, Germany ranks third behind China and the USA. The difference to the leading nation China is enormous, as China has more than five times the capacity at around 441 gigawatts.

💨 Wind power: The most important renewable energy source in Germany

In Germany, wind power plays a central role in the success of the energy transition, especially in the area of ​​electricity supply. In 2023, the wind turbines installed in Germany generated around 136.5 terawatt hours of electricity, which corresponds to a share of around 27 percent of total gross electricity generation. Of the electricity generated from renewable energies, around 43 percent comes from onshore wind energy and a further 8.6 percent from offshore wind energy.

Wind turbines can be installed both on land (onshore) and at sea (offshore). While the number of onshore wind turbines is continuously increasing, there is also growth in offshore turbines, although their share is still significantly behind that of onshore turbines.

🌊 The development of the onshore and offshore sectors

Onshore wind energy is the dominant sector in Germany. Even in countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands, onshore wind power is an important source of energy. This type of wind energy has the advantage that the systems are easier to access and more economical to maintain. Advances in wind turbine technology have led to increased efficiency and reduced costs.

Offshore wind turbines, on the other hand, offer the advantage that they can use stronger and more constant wind. This results in higher electricity production, although installation and maintenance costs are higher. Germany has made significant efforts in recent years to expand its offshore capacities, which is particularly visible on the coasts of the North Sea. Offshore wind farms such as the “EnBW Hohe See” wind farm show the potential that this area can offer.

🏭 Market dominance of Chinese manufacturers

The world's largest wind turbine manufacturers come from China. Companies like Goldwind and Envision contribute almost a third of global expansion. However, a German company, Nordex, also plays an important role in the global ranking of the strongest manufacturers. When it comes to developing new turbine models, China has launched over 420 new models since 2020, while Western manufacturers only developed just under 30 new models in the same period.

In 2021, German manufacturers of wind turbines generated sales of around 12 billion euros. Vestas Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of the Danish company Vestas, is the leader with a market share of around 38 percent. The parent company Vestas achieved sales of over 15 billion euros in 2023, making it the wind turbine manufacturer with the highest sales in the world.

⚙️ Technological advances and future challenges

Technological development in the wind power industry is rapid. Modern wind turbines are now up to 250 meters high and the rotor blades have a diameter of over 160 meters. These dimensions make it possible to use the wind, which is stronger at higher altitudes, more effectively and to maximize electricity production. In addition, innovative materials and production methods help to increase the service life and efficiency of the systems.

Nevertheless, the wind power industry faces some challenges. Increasing competition, particularly from Asia, is putting European and American manufacturers under pressure. There are also regulatory and political uncertainties that can make expansion difficult. The integration of wind energy into the existing energy infrastructure remains a central challenge. This requires intelligent networks (“smart grids”) that are able to effectively manage the fluctuating electricity generation from wind power.

The social acceptance of wind turbines, especially in the onshore sector, is another important aspect. While many people recognize the need for the energy transition and the benefits of wind energy, there are also concerns about the impact on the landscape and wildlife, as well as the noise pollution caused by the turbines. In order to increase acceptance, transparent planning processes and the participation of the population are of great importance.

🔮 Future prospects for wind energy

The future of wind energy looks promising. Continuous reductions in the cost per kilowatt hour and advances in technology promise even greater adoption of this renewable energy source. The European Union and other international communities are also increasingly relying on the promotion of wind energy in order to achieve their climate goals.

In addition, there are innovative concepts, such as the combination of wind and solar energy and the integration of energy storage systems, which could enable an even more reliable and efficient energy supply in the future. Hybrid systems that generate both wind and solar power, as well as the storage of excess electricity in the form of hydrogen (power-to-gas) are just some of the promising developments.

In Germany, the southern federal states in particular, which currently have fewer wind turbines, are a target for future expansion. Thanks to modern high-altitude wind turbines, even regions with less wind potential can be used economically.

Wind energy is not only a central component of the energy transition, but also offers a variety of economic and technological opportunities. The challenges are diverse, but with consistent research, innovation and political will, wind power can make a significant contribution to the sustainable and climate-friendly energy supply of the future.

Onshore wind energy in Germany – Image/PDF: Xpert.Digital

Offshore wind energy in Germany – Image/PDF: Xpert.Digital

📣 Similar topics

• 🌍 Wind energy worldwide: The global advance
• 🇩🇪 Germany: Powered by the wind – an overview
• 🚀 Technological advances in wind energy
• 🌬️ Offshore wind power: potential and challenges
• 🔧 From Nordex to Goldwind: market leader in wind power
• ⚡ Wind power in Germany: efficiency and growth
• 📉 Economic trends and developments in wind energy
• 🗺️ Wind energy worldwide: markets and players in comparison
• 🤝 Public acceptance and the future of wind energy
• 📊 Wind power 2023: numbers, data and analysis

#️⃣ Hashtags: #Wind Energy #RenewableEnergy #Technology #Germany #Offshore

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