Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Energy Democracy pp 379–412Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Will the Energiewende Succeed?

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

It’s been 35 years since the first Energiewende book of 1980—and it will be another 35 until the targets for 2050. At halftime it’s time to review what is needed to shift to a renewable energy economy. Scenarios for the Energiewende overlap; there is a scientific consensus matching the political consensus that it will work and even be more affordable than a non-Energiewende. So the question for Germany is less about whether it will switch to renewables, but how: driven by a few large corporations, or by communities and citizens?

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   49.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Two methods are used: the physical content method (which the IEA uses) and the substitution method (which BP uses).

  2. 2.

    BMWi. “Energiestatistiken.” Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie. Accessed February 9, 2016. https://www.bmwi.de/BMWi/Redaktion/PDF/E/energiestatistiken-energiegewinnung-energieverbrauch,property=pdf,bereich=bmwi2012,sprache=de,rwb=true.pdf.

  3. 3.

    BMWi. Energiestatistiken.

  4. 4.

    Morris, Craig. “Looking back at the Energiewende 1980—Time for a Coal Phaseout.” Energy Transition. The German Energiewende. 30 March 2013. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://energytransition.de/2013/03/time-for-a-coal-phaseout/.

  5. 5.

    Morris, Craig. ““Efficiency lacks a loud lobby”: An interview with Florentin Krause.” Energy Transition. The German Energiewende. 17 April 2013. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://energytransition.de/2013/04/an-interview-with-florentin-krause/.

  6. 6.

    Pröstler, Leo. “Angriffe gegen das Institut.” Öko-Mitteilungen, no. 5 (82): 29–32. Accessed February 10, 2016.

  7. 7.

    Morris, Craig. ““One power plant per company”” Energy Transition. The German Energiewende. 19 March 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://energytransition.de/2015/03/one-power-plant-per-company/.

  8. 8.

    Morris, Craig. ““Impossible for investments to lead to losses”” Energy Transition. The German Energiewende. 18 March 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://energytransition.de/2015/03/impossible-for-investments-to-lead-to-losses/#utility.

  9. 9.

    Morris, Craig. “Impossible for investments to lead to losses”.

  10. 10.

    Morris, Craig. ““Energy wasted by design”” Energy Transition. The German Energiewende. 17 March 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://energytransition.de/2015/03/energy-wasted-by-design/.

  11. 11.

    “Around the World: Annual report of the Oeko-Institut 2013.” Berlin, April 2014. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.oeko.de/oekodoc/2024/2014-609-en.pdf.

  12. 12.

    “Webpage of the Öko-Institut.” Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.oeko.de/en/the-institute/.

  13. 13.

    Geden, Oliver. “Policy: Climate advisers must maintain integrity.” Nature. 6 May 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.nature.com/news/policy-climate-advisers-must-maintain-integrity-1.17468.

  14. 14.

    Such as Bontrup, Heinz-J., and Ralf-M. Marquardt. “Die Zukunft der großen Energieversorger.” Greenpeace. Hannover/Lüdinghausen, January 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. https://www.greenpeace.de/sites/www.greenpeace.de/files/publications/zukunft-energieversorgung-studie-20150309.pdf.

  15. 15.

    Graichen, Patrick. Kommunale Energiepolitik und die Umweltbewegung: Eine Public-Choice-Analyse der “Stromrebellen” von Schönau. 1. Aufl. Mannheimer Beiträge zur politischen Soziologie und positiven politischen Theorie 7. Frankfurt am Main: Campus-Verl., 2003. Univ., Diss.--Heidelberg, 2002.

  16. 16.

    “Luftreinhaltung: Bundesregierung legt Veto im EU-Umweltrat ein.” Windkraft Journal. 31 December 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.windkraft-journal.de/2015/12/31/luftreinhaltung-bundesregierung-legt-veto-im-eu-umweltrat-ein/76900.

  17. 17.

    Schlandt, Jakob. “Interne Regierungs-Umfrage: Bürger wollen Kohle-Ausstieg.” Phasenprüfer. 28 September 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://phasenpruefer.info/buerger-wollen-kohle-aus/.

  18. 18.

    Timpe, Christof, Heidi Bergmann, Uwe Klann, Ole Langniß, Joachim Nitsch, Martin Cames, and Jan-Peter Voß. “Umsetzungsaspekte eines Quotenmodells für Strom aus erneuerbaren Energien. Kurzfassung.” Im Auftrag des Ministeriums für Umwelt und Verkehr Baden-Württemberg. Öko-Institut and DLR. Freiburg, Stuttgart, Heidelberg, August 2001. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.dlr.de/tt/Portaldata/41/Resources/dokumente/institut/system/publications/Quote_BaWue_Kurz_final.pdf.

  19. 19.

    Scheer, Hermann. Sonnen-Strategie: Politik ohne Alternative. Serie Piper Bd. 2135. München: Piper, 1998, p. 215.

  20. 20.

    “Wochenbericht des DIW Berlin 48/03: Energiepolitik und Energiewirtschaft vor großen Herausforderungen.” Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.diw.de/sixcms/detail.php/284434.

  21. 21.

    Morris, Craig. “Halftime for the Energiewende.” Renewables International. http://www.renewablesinternational.net/halftime-for-the-energiewende/150/537/86407/.

  22. 22.

    Jungjohann, Arne, and Craig Morris. “The German Coal Conundrum.” Unpublished manuscript, last modified February 6, 2016. https://us.boell.org/sites/default/files/german-coal-conundrum.pdf.

  23. 23.

    Scheer, Hermann. “Kommerzieller Kurzschluss.” TAZ. 13 December 2004. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.taz.de/1/archiv/?id=archivseite&dig=2004/12/13/a0184.

  24. 24.

    “„Das EEG ist das richtige Instrument“: Das Öko-Institut weist Vorwürfe des SPD-Bundestagsabgeordneten Scheer zurück.” Öko-Institut. Freiburg, 15 December 2004. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.oeko.de/fileadmin/wikipedia/041215_eeg.pdf.

  25. 25.

    Morris, Craig. “ECJ rules in favor of national payments for renewables.” Renewables International. The Magazine. 1 July 2014. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.renewablesinternational.net/ecj-rules-in-favor-of-national-payments-for-renewables/150/537/80006/.

  26. 26.

    Mihm, Andreas. “Grünen-Vordenker will Ökostrom-Subventionen deckeln.” F.A.Z., 10 October 2013. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/wirtschaftspolitik/energiewende-gruenen-vordenker-will-oekostrom-subventionen-deckeln-12610839.html.

  27. 27.

    Personal correspondence.

  28. 28.

    See about Agora: http://www.agora-energiewende.de/de/ueber-uns/agora-energiewende/.

  29. 29.

    See about the Council of Agora: http://www.agora-energiewende.de/en/about-us/council-of-the-agora/.

  30. 30.

    Krawinkel, Holger. Für eine neue Energiepolitik: Was die Bundesrepublik Deutschland von Dänemark lernen kann. Orig.-Ausg. Fischer alternativ. Frankfurt am Main: Fischer, 1991.

  31. 31.

    “Zahlen, Daten und Informationen zum EEG.” Bundesnetzagentur. 9 November 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/DE/Sachgebiete/ElektrizitaetundGas/Unternehmen_Institutionen/ErneuerbareEnergien/ZahlenDatenInformationen/zahlenunddaten-node.html.

  32. 32.

    “Winter Outlook 2014/15.” National Grid. Warwick, October 2014. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://investors.nationalgrid.com/~/media/Files/N/National-Grid-IR/reports/Winter%20Outlook%20Report%202014.pdf.

  33. 33.

    “German renewables sector urged to step up investments.” EurActive. 12 September 2014. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/german-renewables-sector-urged-step-investments-308404.

  34. 34.

    “Economic analysis: Negative prices from priority for renewables.” Renewables International. The Magazine. 21 September 2014. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.renewablesinternational.net/negative-prices-from-priority-for-renewables/150/537/81835/.

  35. 35.

    “Energy Rich Japan, Report.” Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.energyrichjapan.info/en/welcome.html.

  36. 36.

    A handful of similar scenarios were also published in previous years and are worth mentioning in particular: “Wege zur 100% erneuerbaren Stromversorgung: Kurzfassung für Entscheidungsträger.” Sachverständigenrat für Umweltfragen (SRU). Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.umweltrat.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/02_Sondergutachten/2011_Sondergutachten_100Prozent_Erneuerbare_KurzfassungEntscheid.pdf?__blob=publicationFile; Nitsch, Joachim. “Lead Study 2008. Further development of the “Strategy to increase the use of renewable energies” within the context of the current climate protection goals of Germany and Europe.” BMU. Stuttgart, October, 2008. Accessed February 11, 2016. http://www.bmub.bund.de/fileadmin/bmu-import/files/english/pdf/application/pdf/leitstudie2008_en.pdf (and follow-up studies); and Gerhardt, Norman, Fabian Sandau, Britta Zimmermann, Carsten Pape, and Bofinger, Stefan, Hoffmann, Clemens. “Geschäftsmodell Energiewende. Eine Antwort auf das “Die-Kosten-der-Energiewende”-Argument.” Fraunhofer-Institut für Windenergie und Energiesystemtechnik (IWES). Kassel, January 2014. Accessed February 9, 2016. https://www.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/zv/de/forschungsthemen/energie/Studie_Energiewende_Fraunhofer-IWES_20140-01-21.pdf.

  37. 37.

    “Was kostet die Energiewende? Wege zur Transformation des deutschen Energiesystems bis 2050.” Fraunhofer ISE. Presseinformation 28/15. 5 November 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/de/presse-und-medien/presseinformationen/presseinformationen-2015/was-kostet-die-energiewende-2013-wege-zur-transformation-des-deutschen-energiesystems-bis-2050.

  38. 38.

    Budke, Jan. “Verteilnetz und Übertragungsnetz an einen Tisch bringen.” 19 January 2016. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://energie-vernetzen.de/index.html.

  39. 39.

    “German renewables sector urged to step up investments.” EurActive. 12 September 2014. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/german-renewables-sector-urged-step-investments-308404.

  40. 40.

    Morris, Craig. “Are we losing Denmark next?” Energy Transition. The German Energiewende. 30 September 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://energytransition.de/2015/09/are-we-losing-denmark-next/.

  41. 41.

    Morris, Craig. “No business case for lots of wind and solar.” Energy Transition. The German Energiewende. 15 July 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://energytransition.de/2015/07/no-business-case-for-lots-of-wind-and-solar/.

  42. 42.

    Morris, Craig. “German environmentalists speak of “coal transition”.” Renewables International. The Magazine. 22 August 2013. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://www.renewablesinternational.net/german-environmentalists-speak-of-coal-transition/150/537/72199/.

  43. 43.

    Liebreich, Michael. “Liebreich: An Energy Sector Transformed Must Be An Energy Sector Reformed.” Bloomberg New Energy Finance. 18 August 2015. Accessed February 9, 2016. http://about.bnef.com/blog/liebreich-energy-sector-transformed-must-energy-sector-reformed/.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Petite Planète, Freiburg and Berlin, Germany

    Craig Morris

  2. Stuttgart, Germany

    Arne Jungjohann

Authors
  1. Craig Morris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Arne Jungjohann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Morris, C., Jungjohann, A. (2016). Will the Energiewende Succeed?. In: Energy Democracy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31891-2_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31891-2_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31890-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31891-2

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation