University of Alberta Talk: Renewable Energy – the German Experience (the“Energiewende”)
This talk
was actually delivered early in 2016 (March 16, 2016), though I have only
gotten around to writing it up recently.
I suppose that says something about my own renewable energy, or lack
thereof, at times.
At any
rate, this interesting talk focussed on the experience of Germany, in its
efforts to transform to a renewable, sustainable energy regime, known in German
as the “Energiewende”. The talk was
given by Prof. Ralf Ludwig of Ludwig Maximillian University, in Germany. He is a hydro-geologist, rather than an
engineer, but as he said, the energy transition has percolated throughout the
German economy and academy. Mind you,
hydrogeology has some fairly obvious applications in the world of energy and
particularly renewable energy.
Reasons for the Policy
He stated these as the primary reasons for the German Energiewende:
- The
nuclear phase-out, related to the nuclear accidents in Japan and the earlier
accident in the Ukraine.
- The need to reduce import dependency. I have heard Europeans repeat this one a number of times. They seem much more concerned about depending on geopolitically risky fossil fuel sources, such as Russia and the Middle East than we do, here in North America. Mind you, we have enough of our own fossil fuel supplies (though they are somewhat more expensive), that we can do without these sources, in a pinch.
- Climate change. Europeans seem to have fewer sceptics on the subject, than we do here in North America. That is probably related to the fact that they don’t have as much vested interests in the domestic fossil fuel industry, as we do.
- The
need to develop new technology, and stay at the front of the innovation wave.
- Generally, they want to demonstrate that a sustainable economy is possible.
Pillars of the Policy
There are
two pillars to the German energy transition, renewable energy and
efficiency. The focus of his talk was on
the renewable energy pillar.
The German
goal is to have 60% of energy produced by renewable resources, by 2050. This
should also correspond to a 80-90% reduction in greenhouse gas generation,
notably CO2. For context, it should be
noted that 27% of electricity is currently generated by renewables (this
actually relates to 2014, so it might be higher now), but the 60% renewable
target includes all energy, not just the replacement of current electrical
generation (i.e. transportation and heating energy are also to be replaced by
renewables).
An
important part of the strategy has been the use of feed-in tariffs, for
renewable electrical energy.
Essentially, this means encouraging solar and wind power via paying
higher electrical rates to producers who use these methods. This strategy has been highly successful
(almost too much so, he says). Some
features of the strategy:
- Fixed prices (so that producers can budget and plan).
- Guaranteed grid access (so that producers can be assured of a market).
- The strategy is modifiable, as technology changes (e.g. more efficient solar panels).
- The effect on non-renewable sources can be offset by other charges, when it is deemed desirable.
- Energy intensive industries can get a break on the higher prices during the transition, so as not to harm them unduly.
As noted
above, about 27% of electricity was generated by renewables in 2014. That represents an increase of about 10
times, over the 1990s, so the growth has been substantial.
Solar and
wind have been the main renewable suppliers. The type of resource being
developed has been optimized for local conditions, with wind prevailing at the
coast, and solar in the south (Bavaria).
It is estimated that this transition has prevented 102 mega-tonnes of
C02 from being produced.
There has
been a movement towards small-scale energy production and distribution during
the Energiewende. Cooperative ownership
models have helped in convincing citizens to buy in to the program. Whole villages are sometimes involved in the cooperatives,
for example. Often, the sources are
owned 50% or more, by local people.
Generally speaking, there is wide acceptance of the policy in Germany,
though naturally, there are some NIMBY (not in my back yard) elements.
Myths
He noted
some popular myths about the transition, and gave some clarity on those myths:
·
Myth
1 - It is an irrational response to the Japanese Fukushima nuclear disaster.
o
No,
the roots of the program go long before that, with various strong concerns
about the environment and energy security being motivators.
·
Myth
2 - it is immensely expensive.
o
Yes,
it has been costly, but it has also generated substantial economic
benefits. For example, solar is now a
significant industry, which didn’t exist previously. About 400,000 jobs have been created around
Germany in renewables, and they have been widely distributed around the
country, rather than benefitting only a few regions. Import substitution has also been a major
benefit, in terms of trade and geopolitical security (Russian gas has been
displaced, for example).
·
Myth
3 - the nuclear shutdown has created the need for imports.
o
To
some extent true, though it is a temporary situation. In fact, Germany is now exporting
electricity.
·
Myth
4 - there would be power outages.
o
This
never happened (in fact, Canada has had more problems than Germany, in this regard).
·
Myth
5 - Germany would have to increase its coal usage.
o
This
was temporary, during the turn away from nuclear. Coal usage is now back to historical
lows. In fact, though some coal power is
still being produced, that is now going down, even below historical lows.
Problems that have been Encountered
Obviously,
no policy of this significance can be problem-free, so here are some of the
problems that Professor Ludwig noted:
- These technologies are intermittent by their nature (wind doesn’t always blow, and sun doesn’t always shine), so the problem of grid stability is ever present.
- There are environmental impacts, such as:
o
Toxic
waste in producing solar panels, etc.
o
Land
use conflicts, since solar and wind do need land bases, and hydro often means flooding
(Germany has developed more hydro in some areas).
o
Resources
are consumed, for example in the building of panels.
o
There
are potential health issues, such as noise from wind generators that are placed
too close to human habitations.
- There can be a “status quo” threat, that inhibits public acceptance. That can be by other producers, consumers or bystander parties.
- Costs can be higher, compared to alternatives. For example, 44 cents per KwHr is common in Germany, whereas about 12 cents per KwHr is more the norm in Edmonton (in Alberta, Canada, which is a fossil fuel rich province). Note that this is “all-in” costs; production, distribution, etc.
- With less “base load” production, power generation can fluctuate more, due to the variation in wind-speed and sunshine (though these tend to even out over longer time spans and distances).
- This can also create some unbalanced loads, in terms of regional usage and regional demand.
- New, smart infrastructure is needed (e.g. to distributed power more efficiently) but there is often resistance to big power lines and the like.
- Climate change can adversely effect renewables, such as low water levels reducing hydro power.
Overall Conclusions
·
The
program is well established.
·
It
will probably hit its targets.
·
There
will be many benefits.
·
The
German economy will benefit, by being a first mover in renewable energy
innovation.
·
Germany
will be a lesson and guide for other countries.
·
With
Germany’s issues around energy security and environmental problems, there is
really no alternative.
·
From
Alberta’s standpoint, there is a rich history of Alberta-German collaboration
in industry and the academy, and that collaboration can grow and prosper via
the energy transformation in both areas.
http://energytransition.de/
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And now, here's a link to some science fiction (because we can't be reading about renewable energy all the time), the universe of Kati of Terra:
Kati 1 - Escape from the Drowned Planet
Kati and Mikal's escape from the alien slaver Gorsh.
Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00811WVXO
Amazon U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00811WVXO
Kati 2 - On Assignment on the Planet of the Exalted
Kati and Mikal follow the trail of justice to the planet Vultaire.
Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D0H15CC
Amazon U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D0H15CC
Kati 3 - Showdown on the Planet of the Slavers
Kati and Mikal must battle Gorsh on his home turf.
Amazon U.S.: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KHBN8FG
Amazon U.K.: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KHBN8FG
It pays to talk provide both sides of a story.
ReplyDeleteFrom the German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, second in command to Merkel, who was also the Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety from 2005 to 2009:
“...I don’t know any other economy that can bear this burden [$30billion a year]...We have to make sure that we connect the energy switch to economic success, or at least not endanger it. Germany must focus on the cheapest clean-energy sources as well as efficient fossil-fuel-fired plants to stop spiraling power prices."
While renewable aid costs are at the “limit” of what the economy can bear, Germany will keep pushing wind and solar power, the most cost-effective renewable sources, Gabriel said. Biomass energy is too expensive and its cost structure hasn’t improved, he said...
Germany is demonstrating the real world cost of trying to reduce emissions with only renewables; $30 billion a year, according to Germany's economics ministry. $30 billion a year would pay for forty custom built $7.5 billion Generation III AP1000 reactors over ten years ($30B/year x 10years = $300B, $300B/$7.5B = 40 AP1000 reactors). Add those to existing reactors and they could supply about 97% of Germany's electricity by 2025. And their emissions reductions have been flat for the last six years ...six years of carbon in the atmosphere we can't get back.
Germany seems pretty intent on not going nuclear, but time will tell, whether their current strategy pans out.
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