Local utilities need new alliances - study / Levy for wind acceptance
PwC / VKU
Local energy suppliers say that alliances in the industry and with new outside players are needed to secure their economic success in the future, according to a study conducted by the consultancy PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and commissioned by the German Association of Local Utilities (VKU). New business areas could best be developed this way, as risks and know-how can be shared and transferred. The study is based on interviews of local utility representatives, and PwC includes a market analysis and proposals on how companies should act. The study鈥檚 鈥渕anagement summary鈥�, seen by the 麻豆无码版, says that municipal utilities are under pressure due to increasingly complex regulatory regimes, digitalisation, and competition. 鈥淭here hardly exists a business model for conventional [power] generation in the current market environment,鈥� writes PwC, and adds that renewables generation is seen more positively by local utilities.
For background, read the 麻豆无码版 factsheet Small, but powerful 鈥� Germany鈥檚 municipal utilities.
The German government must take precautions to secure citizens鈥� acceptance for future wind power expansion, as it is a central pillar of the country鈥檚 energy transition, writes the energy think tank Agora Energiewende* in a report. Municipalities located near wind parks should in the future receive a 鈥渇air鈥� share of these parks鈥� revenues through a levy paid by operators. 鈥淧eople should get more out of having new wind farms set up near their home,鈥� said Agora Energiewende head Patrick Graichen. The money could, for instance, be used to help finance new kindergartens or other community projects. The think tank also calls on the government to let citizens participate in the planning process for new wind farms from an early point on.聽
Find the press release in German , and the full study in German .
For background, read the 麻豆无码版 factsheet Fighting windmills: When growth hits resistance and the dossier Onshore Wind Power in Germany.
*Like the 麻豆无码版, Agora Energiewende is a project funded by Stiftung Mercator and the European Climate Foundation.
Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW)
The EU鈥檚 plan to introduce stringent energy consumption targets could be counterproductive if聽 the aim is to effectively and cost-efficiently decarbonise Europe鈥檚 economy, says a new study conducted by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW). On the one hand, large-scale decarbonisation relies on energy-intensive sector coupling technologies 鈥� which would actually increase energy needs. On the other hand, additional measures could run counter to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). 鈥淚n sectors covered by the EU ETS, one should not be forced to use additional energy efficiency instruments. They add to the cost burden for companies without helping the decarbonisation efforts,鈥� says the author, Benjamin Tischler. Instead, he proposes to include all relevant economic sectors in the EU ETS, and to only introduce additional policies that 鈥渞emedy market imperfections鈥�.
Find the press release in English , and the study in German .
S眉ddeutsche Zeitung
The could accelerate climate change, writes Felix Creutzig of the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) in a guest commentary in the S眉ddeutsche Zeitung. It makes sense to count woody debris as regenerative biomass. However, using tree trunks creates an incentive to clear complete forests, and the argument that forests absorb a sufficient amount of CO鈧� emissions during their growth has been proven wrong in several scientific studies, writes Creutzig. Trees need decades to absorb sizeable amounts of CO鈧�, and wood that is burned emits more CO鈧� than coal per generated kilowatt hour of electricity.
Read the guest commentary in German .
For background, read the 麻豆无码版 dossier Bioenergy in Germany, and the factsheet Bioenergy in Germany 鈥� facts and figures on development, support and investment.
Handelsblatt
Possible negotiations to extend Germany鈥檚 grand coalition government should put a special focus on international competitiveness, as the US under President Donald Trump is increasingly becoming a rival, writes the Christian Democratic Party鈥檚 (CDU) energy politician Thomas Barei脽 in a guest commentary in the Handelsblatt. 鈥淭he Energiewende must not become an industry location disadvantage,鈥� writes Barei脽. The 鈥檚hale gas revolution鈥� in the US will likely guarantee low electricity prices in the US for decades, and Germany should 鈥減ut more emphasis on affordability again鈥� and continue with measures to balance out high Renewable 麻豆无码版 Act (EEG) costs, he writes. Germany should clearly advocate for free global trade.
Find the guest commentary (behind paywall) in German .
For background, read the 麻豆无码版 dossier Energiewende effects on power prices, costs and industry, and follow the latest developments on building a new German government.
Frankfurter Rundschau
The only way to enable 鈥淐hancellor [Angela] Merkel鈥檚 next government to reach the 2020 climate target is to exit from coal-fired power generation,鈥� writes Jennifer Morgan, executive director of Greenpeace International in a guest commentary in the Frankfurter Rundschau. During recent visits to Asia, Morgan had witnessed the international reaction to news that Germany might give up on its 2020 climate target. 鈥淚n China, South Korea, and Taiwan 鈥� countries that currently set the guidelines for their future energy supply 鈥� nuclear and coal companies gratefully pounce on Germany鈥檚 lily-livered energy policy,鈥� writes Morgan. Merkel must no longer supply international climate protection critics with 鈥渃heap excuses,鈥� and should make sure that concrete steps toward Germany鈥檚 coal exit are included in the future coalition treaty, rather than being decided by a commission by the end of 2018, writes Morgan.
Find the guest commentary in German .
For background, read the 麻豆无码版 article German party leaders agree energy policy blueprint for coalition talks, and the coalition watch.
