Full Description
This book provides an in-depth analysis of the energy transformation process ongoing in Germany, now commonly referred to as energiewende, in the European context, with a focus on the electricity sector. It presents an expert look at the origins of the German energiewende, its concrete implementation, its impacts within the European context as well as medium and long-term perspectives. The authors, internationally recognized energy, electricity, and climate economists at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and Berlin University of Technology, conclude that the first years of the energiewende have successfully laid the foundation for a renewables-based electricity system in Germany, but that challenges remain in relation to decarbonizing the electricity system and phasing out nuclear energy. The authors also provide ground-breaking insights to inform energy policy in other countries and at the European level. In the outlook, the authors explore upcoming issues, such as coupling between the electricity and other sectors, and behavioral changes of industry and households. The book addresses readers in the energy industry, energy and climate policymakers, regulators, and others interested in the low carbon energy system transformation in Germany, Europe, and worldwide.
Contents
1 Introduction: The German Energiewende in the European Context.- Part I: The Historical Origins and Emergence of the Energiewende.- 2 German Energy and Climate Policies: A Historical Overview.- 3 The Transformation of the German Coal Sector from 1950 to 2017 - A Historical Overview.- Part II: The Energiewende at Work in the Electricity Sector.- 4 Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction and the Phasing-our of Coal in Germany.- 5 Nuclear Power: Effects of Plant Closures on Electricity Markets and Remaining Challenges.- 6 Renewable Energy Sources as the Cornerstone of the German Energiewende.- 7 Energy Efficiency: A Key Challenge of the Energiewende.- 8 The Role of Electricity Transmission Infrastructure.- 9 Sector Coupling for an Integrated Low Carbon Energy Transformation - A Techno-Economic Introduction and Application to Germany.- 10 The Electricity Mix in the European Low Carbon Transformation: Coal, Nuclear, and Renewables.- 11 Energy Infrastructures for the Low Carbon Transformation in Europe,- Part III: The German Energiewende in the Context of the Europe Low Carbon Transformation.- 12 Cross-Border Cooperation in the European Context: Evidence from Regional Cooperation Initiatives.- 13 Modeling the Low Carbon Transformation in Europe and Germany: Developing Paths for the European Energy System until 2050.- Part IV: Assessment, Perspectives, and Conclusions.- 14 General Conclusions: Fifteen Lessons from the First Phase of the Energiewende.
