Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
700
600
fossil fuels
nuclear power
import (renewable)
geothermal
biomass
photovoltaics
wind power
hydropower
500
400
300
200
100
0
Figure 4.11
Possible development of share of renewable energies in gross power
consumption in Germany.
In practice, however, this does not make much sense, because large and expensive
storage would be necessary due to the fl uctuating availability of wind power and
solar radiation over the course of the year.
If different renewable energies are combined in a sensible way, then only small
storage systems are necessary. At the same time wind power and photovoltaics could
be providing around half the electricity supply by 2050. The development of biomass
power plants is also limited, but biomass will clearly exceed the share now provided
by hydropower. In the medium term geothermal power plants will also be able to
make a contribution. Supplemented with the import of reasonably priced electricity
from renewable power plants, renewable energies will enable demand to be covered
with carbon-free electricity by 2050. Chapter 7 is therefore devoted to solar-thermal
power plants, which offer an important option to the import of electricity. Fossil
power plants and nuclear power plants will no longer be needed to provide safe and
climate-compatible electricity supply in 2050.
4.3.3 Insulation and Renewable Energies to Provide Heat
It may be diffi cult to cut down on electricity consumption, but substantial reductions
are possible when it comes to heating. The energy-saving possibilities offered by
the buildings described in Chapter 3 make it probable that heating needs will be
halved by 2050 compared to 1990 (Figure 4.12). What is important is that govern-
ment strictly enforces modernization measures in existing buildings.
In 2007 the share of renewable energies in heat supply was around 6%. Among
these renewable energies, biomass - i.e. fi rewood - had the greatest share by a long
shot. However, the possibilities for using biomass in Germany are limited. Solar-
thermal energy, geothermic energy and heating pumps could also play a bigger role
