Renewable energy on the local level in Germany Berlin, March 12th 2013
The Renewable Energies Agency: the German information platform, jointly funded by government and industry
The Renewable Energies Agency: Information on different levels and for different target groups = 3
The Campaign Kommunal-Erneuerbar Key elements: Main instrument is best practice Successful example is awarded as Energie-Kommune every month Presented on website and via press releases Key messages: RE enable citizen energy RE stimulates local development RE create local supply security RE allow active climate protection 4
High acceptance for the energy transition Main reasons: Intergenerational equity Climate change mitigation
EEG electricity accounts for more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions avoided by RE 6
Fundamental change in Germany s energy policy after Fukushima phase out of nuclear energy by 2022, eight nuclear power plants switched off straight away in spring 2011 concrete objectives for RE (remain in place according to energy concept from autumn 2010) Renewable share in gross energy consumption Renewable share in gross electricity consumption 2020 18% at least 35% 2030 30% 50% 2040 45% 65% 2050 60% 80%
Legal Instruments regarding Renewable Energy Sources
Status quo: Renewable energy in Germany
Biomass still dominates the RE sector Despite the strong growth in wind and solar power generation, biomass still dominates the RE sector. This is due to the shares of biomass in the biofuels and heating sector.
Investment in RE installations 2000-2012 Sources: federal government, AGEE-Stat, DLR/DIW/ZSW/GSW, as of 3/2013
The renewable energy sector creates jobs
RE avoid costs for fuel imports
The new power system: decentralized and regional
Value Creation by RE in Municipalities more than 16 billion Euro / year 15
Ownership distribution of installed RE electricity production
Energy cooperatives booming
Municipalities play a key role The communities are the stage for the energy shift. Municipalities play a key role on different levels: As property owners they install RE. As planning authority they ensure the implementation. As a consumer they support green energy. As an advicing instance they provide information. As energy supplier they run power plants. They act as an inspiring example. 18
As property owners Energie-Kommune Saerbeck: District heating for school and gymnasium powered by wood pellets. Community owned rooftops can be used by citizen solar projects. In a 90 hectare energy park the city is installing renewable capacities. 19
As planning authority Energie-Kommune Bamberg: City and rural district work together in a climate alliance. The city alone is not capable to reach a full supply through RE. City and rural district analyzed the renewable potential and will together reach full supply. 20
As a consumer Energie-Kommune Hattersheim: The financial resources of the city are limited. The municipality changed to a green energy supplier. The energy supplier now is installing renewable capacity on community owned rooftops. 21
As an advicing instance Energie-Kommune Schöneck: There was a controversial discussion about a new wind project. To inform the people and bring up more acceptance, the municpality offered visiting tours to other wind parks. Through the extensive information and open dialogue the project could be realized with broad support. 22
As energy supplier Energie-Kommune Schwäbisch Hall: The energy supplier Stadtwerke Schwäbisch Hall are community owned. The Stadtwerke Schäbisch Hall are investing into RE projects such as wind parks and district heating with biogas. Therefore the Stadtwerke work together with farmers, private persons and the rural district. 23
As an inspiring example Energie-Kommune Oederan: The municipality initiates different projects as model for private households. The school owns a PV-panel as a teaching object. There is a yearly clean energy day with different events on which many projects are open to the public. 24
Conclusion Value creation enables regional development RE are applicable anywhere Municipalities have a wide range of opportunities for action Ecology and economy can go hand in hand
Thank you for your attention! Contact Benjamin Dannemann Consultant Press and public relations Renewable Energies Agency Invalidenstraße 91 10115 Berlin Tel: +49 (0)30 200535 47 Fax: +49 (0)30 200535 51 b.dannemann@unendlich-viel-energie.de 26