Fun Facts About The German Energiewende

Some of you may have heard of the “Energiewende” in Germany. The energy transition is all about clean, green and safe energy. Electromobility, ultra-efficient grids and moving away from nuclear power are all essential points of the Energiewende project. Here are a few more fun facts about Germany’s energy goals.

Germany's goal: At least 80% renewable electricity by 2050

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These are pretty huge goals, it’s true, but in the first half of 2014, 28% of electricity consumption in Germany came from renewables. In fact, the goals have been revised based on how well the transition was going and the government now hopes that 60% of TOTAL energy consumption will also come from renewables by 2050.

The current path is not an option

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At the rate energy consumption is going, our current energy sources will end up costing more than renewables, and hurt the environment along the way. In other words, it's all downhill unless changes are made.

93% of Germans think that developing renewable energy is important

It’s no secret that energy policy has to start at home. In Germany, this is no different.

370,000 jobs were created in Germany by the green energy sector in 2012

Source: adelphi 2013, DLR/DIW/ ZSW/GWS 2013, BMU 2012

Let’s do some quick math: in 1998, there were only 70,000 jobs created, which means that in ten years there was an increase of about 530%.

530%.

Renewable energy is a GROWING field.

Innovations are happening ALL THE TIME

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Researchers at the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) created a thin-film solar cell this summer that achieves 21.7% efficiency, breaking the world record. This is the second time this team has broken this record in only two years. German solar parks have broken energy records all summer long, using equipment that has been proven to work. In short, THINGS ARE MOVING FORWARD!

Electric transportation is becoming reality

Not only are many trains, busses and subways in Germany run on electricity, but cars are becoming more efficient as well. The ultimate goal is to have one million electric cars on the road by 2020. German car companies are going electric as well; the e-Golf from Volkswagen and the BMW i8 are some of the hottest electric cars on the market.

Germany’s solar power is breaking records

The cost of solar panel development has dropped dramatically in the past few years, debunking the popular rumor that solar power has to be insanely expensive. Another rumor is that only bright, beach-filled countries have a chance at producing viable solar power. Come on people. Germany shares a parallel with ALASKA and is the global solar power leader.

Germany's goal: at least 80% Lower Emissions by 2050

upload.wikimedia.org / Via Pöllö/Wikimediacommons

The Energiewende is about the economy AND the environment, two things that don’t have to be mutually exclusive.