Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
effective in protecting the climate, Germany should be reducing its greenhouse gas
emissions by 80% by 2050. However, if the non-energy part is largely left unchanged,
this means that the energy sector will have to convert almost completely to renew-
able energies by then.
In energetic primary energy consumption in 1990 the combined fossil and nuclear
energy share was almost 99%. In the same year renewable energies only contributed
a maximum of 1% to energy requirements. The share covered by renewable energies
then rose to over 7% by 2008 (Figure 4.9). So it is still a long road to 100% renew-
able energy supply.
16000
non-energetic
fossil fuels
nuclear power
hydrogen
heat pumps
geothermal
biomass
solar import
solar thermal
photovoltaics
wind power
hydropower
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Figure 4.9
Possible development of renewable energy share in total primary energy
consumption in Germany.
Between 1990 and 2008 nuclear energy had a share of between 10 and 14%. As a
result of its opt-out decision, Germany is expected to end its use of nuclear energy
between 2020 and 2025. Until then renewable energies will easily be able to replace
the dwindling capacities. Whereas the primary energy requirement remained largely
constant between 1990 and 2005, it will fall steadily because of more effi cient
energy use and a drop in population numbers by 2050. As power plant effi ciency
is not included in the calculation of primary energy consumption for electricity from
wind, hydropower and photovoltaic plants in contrast to coal-fi red and nuclear
plants, primary energy consumption is also decreasing due to statistical effects.
Overall the primary energy requirement could be more than halved in Germany.
The changes taking place in the energy sector in Germany are about 10 to 15 years
too late to meet the targets for climate protection in 2020. Instead of the recom-
mended 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a fi gure closer to 30% is more
realistic. Keeping the country's nuclear power plants open for longer would also
not help to meet the targets set for 2020. Instead it would delay a reorganization of
the energy sector without making a necessary contribution towards climate protec-
