Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
2010 German Electricity Mix
2000 German Electricity Mix
2%
7%
17%
18%
Coal (black)
Nuclear
Lignate (brown coal)
Natural Gas
Other
(oil, refinery, waste)
Renewable
Coal (black)
Nuclear
Lignate (brown coal)
Natural Gas
Other
(oil, refinery, waste)
Renewable
9%
26%
6%
14%
22%
26%
30%
23%
Figure 5.2
. Germany's Electricity Mix
Source
: Federal Environmental Agency, Germany (2012).
Greater inroads might have been possible in terms of reducing the role of
coal-ired power; however, government plans to phase out nuclear power—
which have been in place since the late 1990s—have necessitated continued
short-term reliance on thermal coal technologies, in order to provide sui-
cient base-load electricity, while the nation transitions to renewable energy.
It is clear that the current government views renewable energy technol-
ogy as the future core of electricity generation in Germany. As mentioned,
it has declared an intention to provide at least 80% of its electricity through
renewable sources by 2050. As of January 2011, around 17% of electric-
ity, 8% of heat, and 6% of fuel utilized in Germany came from renewable
sources. Yet despite modest progress to date, the renewable energy sector
is an increasingly prominent employer, employing more than 350,000 peo-
ple in Germany (up from 30,000 people in the 1998), with over 100,000
employed in the wind industry.
6
In the electricity sector, wind power is being touted as the central enabling
technology to meet the 2050 target. As Figure 5.3 indicates, wind power
Primary Renewable Energy Mix
Solar/PV
10%
Hydro
20%
Wind
37%
Biomass
33%
Figure 5.3
. Germany's 2012 Primary Renewable Energy Mix
Source
: Federal Environmental Agency, Germany (2012).
