Germany's decision to shut down its nuclear power plants was part of its broader energy policy, known as Energiewende, which aims to increase renewable energy generation and phase out nuclear energy.

The country relies heavily on renewables for electricity generation, with 43.9% of its electricity coming from renewable sources.

Nuclear power currently accounts for only 6% of Germany's electricity generation, a significant decrease from previous years.

Germany buys French nuclear power to maintain supply, highlighting the country's ongoing dependence on nuclear energy to some extent.

The German government aims to achieve "net zero emissions" before 2045, which is driving the country's transition to renewable energy sources.

The country's energy mix consists of 41% renewables, 28% coal, and 15% gas, indicating a significant shift towards renewable energy sources.

Germany plans to generate 80% of its energy from renewables by 2030, with solar and wind power driving the country's renewable energy adoption.

The country aims to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, and its renewable energy subsidy plan has been approved by the EU.

However, the Russian-Ukrainian war has affected Germany's energy plans, and the country is now facing a rare export slump in 2023.

Germany relies on Russia for 55% of its gas imports, making it vulnerable to supply disruptions.

The country is seeking to diversify its energy supply from other countries, including the US and Qatar.

Germany needs new liquefied natural gas terminals urgently to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.

The construction of two LNG terminals has started in the North Sea to address this need.

Some sectors of the German population are not pushing to bring nuclear reactors back online, as the country had previously planned to phase out nuclear power by 2022.

Instead, Germany is focusing on reducing its dependence on Russian energy and diversifying its energy supply to ensure energy security.

The US Inflation Reduction Act may impact Germany's renewable energy sector, creating unfair competition for EU companies in electric vehicles and clean energy.

The act allocates $370 billion to climate change, with tax credits for companies investing in clean energy in the US, but these subsidies are only for US-made products.

The EU sees the IRA subsidies as discriminatory against European auto manufacturers, which could harm Germany's automotive industry.

Germany plans to invest €28 billion in renewable energy by 2026, with the goal of producing 80% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.

The country aims to install 15-20 GW of offshore wind by 2030, which will contribute significantly to the country's renewable energy mix.

Germany's grid infrastructure needs significant investments in energy efficiency and grid infrastructure to support the increased integration of renewable energy sources.

The country aims to phase out coal by 2030, and $46.2 billion is needed to support coal-dependent workers and communities.

TenneT needs 15 billion euros to bolster Germany's grid for renewables, and the company plans to invest 100 billion euros in grid infrastructure.

Germany's renewable energy output rose by 10% in the past year, with wind energy driving 50% of overall production, totaling 57bn KWh.

The country has invested in advanced grid management systems, and it has expertise in wind energy management.

Germany aims to generate 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and the government is investing in hydrogen infrastructure construction and technology research.

Energy storage using large batteries supports grid infrastructure, and IoT and Cloud Computing enable the integration of renewable energy.

Overall, Germany's move away from nuclear energy is driving significant investments in renewable energy and grid infrastructure, with the goal of achieving a stable and low-carbon energy supply.

Germany's decision to shut down its nuclear power plants was part of its broader energy policy, known as Energiewende, which aims to increase renewable energy generation and phase out nuclear energy.

Title:

Content: ● Talk from the beginning
In October 1973, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, led by Saudi Arabia, imposed a embargo on countries supporting Israel with oil as a weapon. The embargo lasted until March 1974, when the global price of oil rose by nearly 300%, from $3 per barrel to nearly $12.
Recognizing the importance of stable energy supply and price, many countries have begun to develop nuclear power.
In that era, the development of nuclear energy in Germany and France went hand in hand. Both countries imported nuclear power technology from the United States, and both established independent nuclear power industries.
In 1979, the Three Mile Island accident in the United States did not change the Social Democratic Party's support for nuclear energy in Germany at the time, and then the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Russia caused a major impact on Germany's nuclear energy policy. In August 1986, the Social Democratic Party passed a bill to abandon nuclear power within 10 years, Germany terminated the development plan for new reactors, and power companies dared not plan to build a nuclear power plant. Merchants.
Overall, the passage of the Act did not affect the operation of the nuclear power plants in transit in Germany, with a capacity of 20,339 and 20,583,000 megawatts in 23 years from 1986 to 2009, and a further 22.9 million megawatts in 1989.
In other words, the ruling party in Germany recognized the importance of nuclear power to the country ’ s economic development and did not implement the nuclear abolition bill hastily passed in August 1986 under the anti-nuclear passion of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster in Russia.
Obviously, the non-nuclear file, can only say, can not be done.
Non-nuclear weapons are a bargaining chip for political power
In October 1998, the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party organized a joint government and began to discuss a non-nuclear timetable with power companies. The Green Party, a small party with ideological leadership and national recognition of only 6.7%, changed the national energy policy through the power to gain the leadership of energy policies that are closely related to national security.
The assumption of power by political parties recognized by more people is the basic tenet of the operation of democratic politics.
When, in order to gain political power, different political parties used coalitions to lead to the opinions of the minority and hostage the understanding of the majority, is this the normal state of democratic politics?
Ridiculous, even more pathetic!
After numerous and varied threats, the coalition government and the power companies reached an agreement in late 2000.
The key point of the agreement is that the government will allow the units in operation at the time to continue operating until the cumulative generation of 2,623 billion kWh, equivalent to an average useful life of the units of 32 years (the power company originally expected 36 years), and that Germany will be non-nuclear by 2022.
The government is committed to ensuring the smooth operation of the nuclear power plant and the disposal of nuclear waste without political interference. In June 2001, the “Red Green ” coalition government signed an agreement with four power companies.
The agreement clearly stipulates that Germany will no longer build nuclear power plants and allow the temporary storage of used nuclear fuel at the site.
Based on the cap on nuclear power generation, a less cost-effective unit was stopped in 2003 and 2005, with a installed capacity of 640,000 MW and 340,000 MW, respectively, and it operated for 31 and 36 years.
In addition, a unit with a capacity of 1.22 million megawatts was built in 1986 on the banks of the Rhine. The unit was discontinued in 1988 due to anti-nuclear protests, and its power company abandoned the unit in 2003 to begin decommissioning work. Two units with a capacity of 771,000 megawatts and 1.26 million megawatts were suspended in 2007 and 2009, respectively, for 30 years and 25 years.
These two units are boiling water reactors, which are different from the mainstream pressurized water reactors in Germany.
Germany ’ s non-nuclear decision in 2000 was a pragmatic compromise that quelled the protests of anti-nuclear groups, kept the plant running smoothly, and provided the government with enough time to think about national energy policy.
An industrial leader reminded the government that reliable and affordable energy is an important part of Germany ’ s economic policy.
Opposition leaders in Congress said there was a chance they would change the decision.
The expectation of power companies is to increase the average operating year of all nuclear power units from 32 to 40 years, and then to 60 years depending on the situation of individual units.
● New opportunities brought about by the change
In September 2009, the new coalition government of the Christian Democrats and the Liberal Party announced plans to withdraw the "non-nuclear policy".
At this time, Germany still has 17 operational nuclear power units, but one is in a long-term state of decommissioning.
If all the units can be extended from the original agreed 32 years of operation to 60 years, it is estimated that the additional profit of the power company will be 100 billion euros, and the government must take a share, let alone 50 billion euros.
Financial negotiations took a year to complete.
The new nuclear policy allows for 40 years of operation (an additional 8 years) for units that were negotiated before 1980, and 14 years for units that were negotiated after 1980.
The government pays dividends on the extension of nuclear power plants to the national treasury under various taxes, donations and surcharges.
For example, the tax on nuclear fuel based on the weight of nuclear fuel used is increased to 2.3 billion euros per year, equivalent to 0.016 euros per kilowatt-hour.
In order to supplement the development of renewable energy, we will provide 300 million euros each in 2011 and 2012, 200 million euros each from 2013 to 2016, and 0.009 euros per nuclear power generation after 2016. The funds will also fund a recovery plan for a waste salt mine that is disposed of from nuclear waste.
Germany ’ s policy of abandoning nuclear energy has officially turned a corner.
• Planning does not change
On March 15, 2011, German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that the new nuclear energy policy adopted only four months ago was suspended for three months. At the same time, seven units that had been negotiated before 1980 were immediately shut down. This represents a decrease of 8,336 MW, or 6.4% of the total installed capacity.
In May 2011, the German regulatory authority issued a statement saying that after various assessments, all German nuclear power units are in good condition and there are no concerns about their safety.
Despite this, the German government announced on May 30 that under pressure from anti-nuclear local governments, it will return to its original non-nuclear policy and close all nuclear power plants by 2022. At the end of June and July 8, the German House of Representatives and the Senate respectively passed decrees to expand wind power generation in response to the shutdown of nuclear power plants, while agreeing to build coal-fired power plants and gas plants without changing carbon reduction targets.
In order to solve the problem of insufficient baseload power after the nuclear power plant is stopped, electricity will be imported from France, Russia and Poland.
It ’ s all about non-nuclear policy.
Some nuclear power plants have been forced to shut down, but the nuclear power plants that continue to operate still have to pay various heavy taxes according to the 2011 revision of the Atomic Energy Law. Tax rebates of €6.3 billion between 2011 and 2016 and the suspension of tax on nuclear fuel.
The nuclear fuel tax was abolished at the end of 2016. In order to avoid the nuclear fuel tax, the fuel exchange time of five German units was postponed to January 2017, and a total of 8 billion kWh of power generation was lost from mid-December to the end of February 2016.
After 10 years of litigation, the government reached a settlement with four power companies for a total amount of 4.8 billion euros.
This amount of money is the most direct price of policy repetition.
In response to nuclear waste, in order to maintain a stable power supply, the huge investment in power generation and transmission systems is a heavier burden on society.
In May 2011, the German power grid department warned that the closure of nuclear power plants will lead to insufficient baseload power generation capacity, and renewable energy generation facilities are scattered, and renewable energy rich areas and power consumption areas are at a distance, requiring transmission networks.
The lack of power transmission capacity will make the grid fragile and unreliable, and the stability of the grid is facing great challenges. In May 2012, Germany announced a 10-year plan to expand and strengthen the grid, with a total of 26 transmission projects, with a total investment of 10 billion euros.
Germany calls the policy of increasing the proportion of renewable energy generation and phasing out nuclear energy as Energiewende (energytransition), an appropriate translation is also our slogan, "energy transition"!
For the public, the direct cost of the energy transition is that household electricity prices are the second highest in Europe and the highest in Denmark.
According to statistics, in December 2021, the price of domestic electricity in Germany was 80% higher than that of France.
Electricity prices in Germany
The electricity market in Germany is completely liberalized, and power companies sell electricity generated by various forms of electricity generation in the wholesale market. The price of electricity in the wholesale market is open information, which allows power companies to obtain electricity from the wholesale market and transmit it to consumers through the electricity network.
Taxes paid by different types of consumers are also different.
Due to various measures to reward renewable energy, distorting the market mechanism, the German wholesale electricity price is lower than other countries, and sometimes even negative, 298 hours of wholesale electricity price is negative in 2019 and 139 hours in 2021.
The average wholesale price of electricity in the German electricity market is 0.03767 euros / kWh in 2019, 0.03047 euros / kWh in 2020, and 0.09685 euros / kWh in 2021. The average price in the first half of the year is 0.054 euros / kWh, rising to 0.1380 euros / kWh in the second half of the year.
As shown in the attached figure, the Russian-Ukrainian war caused a surge in gas prices, which had a huge impact on electricity prices in Germany; in July 2022, the high price of 0.3153 euros per degree was 6.4 times that of January 2019!
The price of electricity for domestic or small commercial use in Germany is very high.
Look at the price structure of electricity for German households.
Germany ’ s household electricity price in 2006 was 0.1946 euros per kWh. It rose to 0.3216 euros per kWh in 2021, and has reached 0.3714 euros in 2022. In 2021, more than half of Germany ’ s household and small business electricity price burden came from additional taxes or fees due to energy policies. 16% is a sales tax, 20% of the renewable energy surcharge is paid to the renewable energy industry, 6% of the electricity tax (also known as the ecological tax), and there are three smaller surcharges.
If so, why not in the first place?
In 2010, Germany had 17 nuclear power units with a total installed capacity of more than 20 million megawatts, accounting for about 15% of the total installed capacity. In 2010, the total generation capacity was 133 billion kWh, accounting for about 25% of the total generation capacity. At the end of 2011, there were 9 nuclear power units with a total installed capacity of 12 million megawatts.
Compared to 1990, the total installed capacity was 1.3 times, but the power generation increased by only 11%.
Wind and photovoltaics account for nearly half of the installed capacity, but only 28% of the generation.
Nuclear power plant capacity accounted for only 4.1%, but power generation accounted for 12.4%. In 2021, three nuclear power units were shut down, and there are only three units in operation, with a total installed capacity of 4.055 million megawatts, accounting for less than 2%, and the total power generation may be about 6%. Can the economy afford to shut down the remaining three nuclear plants in 2022?
According to a news report on August 18, "Germany is facing an energy shortage crisis this winter and has planned to delay the closure of the country's last three nuclear power plants."
The decision has not yet been formally adopted by Prime Minister Bernard Shaw and may need to be passed by parliament. Details are still being discussed and a cabinet resolution will have to wait weeks for an energy demand assessment to come out, but officials believe the results are already known, according to three officials.
According to online data, Germany has eight decommissioned units that have not been in service for 40 years, and if the international consensus is that nuclear power units can be used for at least 60 years, the extension of these units can significantly reduce the dependence on imported natural gas.
It remains to be seen whether the shift in German nuclear policy will extend to these eight units.
● Other Mountain Stone
Looking at Taiwan ’ s electricity situation, the schedule summarizes Taiwan ’ s electricity data for 2019 and 2021, which can be compared with Germany ’ s data for 2019. Germany ’ s total installed capacity and total power generation in 2019 are 4.1 times and 2.2 times that of Taiwan, respectively.
The average capacity factor for electrical equipment in Germany is 30% and in Taiwan it is 56%.
Renewable energy cannot generate electricity all the time, and when the installed capacity is large, the average capacity factor will be low.
But there are other factors, in 2019, Germany ’ s natural gas installation capacity of 46 million megawatts, generating 90.8 billion kWh; Taiwan is 17.57 million megawatts and 91.2 billion kWh; the installed capacity is only 38% of Germany ’ s, but the power generation is equivalent.
Germany ’ s electricity grid is part of the European continent ’ s electricity grid, and data can be found on the network. In 2020, Germany exported 66.39 billion kWh of electricity and imported 48.05 billion kWh. About 20% of Germany ’ s domestic electricity production is exchanged with other countries.
If the exchange is not possible, it is necessary to abandon electricity when the amount of renewable energy generation exceeds the amount of electricity used or the capacity of the grid; when the renewable energy generation is insufficient, more dispatchable units are needed.
Renewable energy generation must be coupled with a power generation facility that can be scheduled, so that the power grid can be stable.
When the capacity of renewable energy installations is large, the capacity of the installations with the power generation facilities that can be adjusted will also increase.
The average capacity factor of German natural gas units is only 15%.
In other words, Germany ’ s natural gas unit is idle 85% of the time, isn ’ t that the cost of renewable energy?
When renewable energy must have a total installed capacity of 12.7 million megawatts (54.8%) of renewable energy (wind, light, water, and waste) with a capacity of 255.1 billion kWh (41.9%); the installed capacity is 16.3 times that of Taiwan ’ s 7.8 million megawatts in 2019, and the power generation capacity is 16.8 times that of Taiwan ’ s share is only 5.6%. Degrees.
From the number of renewable energy generation, Taiwan really can not be compared with Germany, but can we really develop to the realm of Germany?
Germany ’ s territory covers an area of 357,622 square kilometers, 9.9 times Taiwan ’ s 35,980 square kilometers.
Simply estimate the amount of renewable energy generated per square kilometer of land in Germany is only 1.7 times that of Taiwan.
In other words, if Taiwan ’ s renewable energy development can be as good as Germany ’ s, our renewable energy generation capacity can be doubled again! Is that enough? What does the rest rely on? Petrified fuels? Taiwan ’ s use of fossil fuels for power generation is 82.0% in 2019 and 83.3% in 2021. What should we do about the reduction of greenhouse gases? Energy can be developed, hydrogen is an energy carrier, not energy, that is, hydrogen production still depends on other sources of energy.
The Germans can ’ t take the risk, we don ’ t see it.
Germany's nuclear energy policy is all caused by natural gas, on the one hand, the source is cut off, on the other hand, the natural gas shortage caused by the soaring price of fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels account for 46.3% of Germany ’ s electricity generation, and the rise in wholesale electricity prices has been alarming. The German government has revised its nuclear energy policy once again in order to spread the risk of excessive reliance on natural gas.
In Taiwan, fossil fuel power generation accounted for 83.3% in 2021, can the impact on electricity prices be lighter than in Germany?
You can't see that Taiwan Power Company is expected to have a loss of 200 billion yuan this year, and CNOOC is also in the tens of billions!
The government is afraid to adjust the price of electricity and natural gas for fear of affecting the election.
A few days ago, the media reported that the government has compiled a budget to directly eliminate the deficit.
Do they still have the law in their eyes?
If the government respects the results of the 2018 referendum on nuclear and green energy, and four years ago it began to promote the renewal of the licenses of the four nuclear companies to transfer and operate China's power plants, Taiwan will pay a lot less in this wave of soaring fossil fuel prices.
A while ago, the military exercise across the strait, it can be seen that it is rehearsing to block Taiwan, if it is really blocked in the future, our natural gas stocks can stand for a few days! Our government seems to be old in the ground is not proper, still clinging to the god of the non-nuclear homeland, refusing to open their eyes to see the latest international energy trends.
After Germany abandoned its non-nuclear policy, the only countries in the world that have used nuclear energy, only Taiwan has a non-nuclear timetable, China, the United States, France, Japan, South Korea and India, etc., are building or planning new nuclear power plants.
The Taiwanese government should wake up.
Those who pretend to sleep cannot wake up, so let us spit on those who stand in line with those who pretend to sleep!
With the election looming, let ’ s ask the candidates whether they support nuclear power?
If not, ask him to tell you where Taiwan's energy policy should go, how Taiwan meets the requirements of international carbon reduction, what to do when Taiwan is short of power, and who pays when electricity prices surge? (The author is a Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Systems Science, National Tsing Hua University)
※ The above statements do not represent the position of Wangzhong Media Group ※
# Germany # Unit # Electricity # Euro # Nuclear

The country relies heavily on renewables for electricity generation, with 43.9% of its electricity coming from renewable sources.

Title:

Content: World Vision: France and Germany seek to develop EU participation to follow
March 05, 2023 00: 04
Eastern Network Television
More News Clips
The EU does not regulate the distribution of energy production methods in member countries, and member countries have to make their own plans.
After the Fukushima nuclear plant accident in Japan, France maintained nuclear power generation, while Germany abandoned nuclear development to develop green energy.
In terms of nuclear power, the French Senate approved the construction of 6 to 14 additional nuclear power plants and increased nuclear power to 50% of total energy consumption, in addition to the crisis of natural gas and oil supply shortage caused by sanctions against Russia, the other is that France has not yet developed a high level of green energy, and France will only gradually increase renewable energy after the energy crisis is resolved.
In particular, France has made extraordinary progress in nuclear power production research in recent years, and the research of nuclear power facilities from large to small has been very successful, which is a good guarantee of stable electricity supply, production and employment.
Germany currently relies on lignite and natural gas for 45% of its electricity generation, renewables for 43.9% and nuclear for only 6%.
France relies on fossil fuels for 8.6% of its electricity generation, renewable energy for 24.5%, and nuclear energy for nearly 70%.
Although the Russian-Ukrainian war has strained Germany's current power supply and wants to extend the operation of the nuclear power plant, which was originally scheduled to close in December 2022, it is expected that the nuclear power facilities will be gradually closed, and even increased lignite power generation is now even under popular opposition.
Although France and Germany have developed nuclear energy and green energy respectively, their stability has not been overcome. When the sun is not strong, the wind is insufficient or the nuclear power plant maintenance, especially the demand for electricity in winter is very high, the production will be in short supply, and wind and solar power can not be stored.
Since Germany has also been buying French nuclear power to maintain a sufficient supply, energy experts have ironed that Germany can only allow France to maintain its nuclear facilities on sunny days.
If you look at the figures above, it is clear that Germany is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and whether French or German households are generally dependent on coal and oil for heating, the cost of switching to electric heating is enormous.
In terms of capital operation, wind and solar power are mostly dependent on private funds, and the power generated by the facilities can be resold. The responsibility of the government is to acquire and redistribute.
However, even in Germany, there are wind and solar power production needs to be imported into the country's affordable components, and some politicians are worried about relying on China's supply chain for development.
And France in increasing the development of nuclear power plants, there is also the treatment of nuclear waste, but also from the past packaging left in the sea, to now reasonably buried underground, both due to the technical complexity and huge investment, completely dependent on the national lead.
It seems that France will face great challenges in 2050 and Germany in 2045 to become carbon neutral.
However, the efforts and cooperation of the two countries are a reference for the development of the EU member states.
Ph.D., Freie Universität Berlin

Nuclear power currently accounts for only 6% of Germany's electricity generation, a significant decrease from previous years.

Germany buys French nuclear power to maintain supply, highlighting the country's ongoing dependence on nuclear energy to some extent.

The German government aims to achieve "net zero emissions" before 2045, which is driving the country's transition to renewable energy sources.

Title:

Content: Supplement
Sunday WorkShop
Germany wants to scrap nuclear waste coal, rely on Russian natural gas supply, the United States and Russia to compete for the energy market
[Ming Pao News] Nord Stream 2 is a natural gas pipeline from western Russia to northeastern Germany, which is 1,200 kilometers long. It was expected to be opened in the middle of this year.
Germany and Europe are the main exporters of Russian natural gas. During the Ukraine crisis, Nord Stream 2 was placed at the negotiating table, which public opinion said was Putin ’ s fear and Germany ’ s only leverage.
However, since Russian natural gas is also Germany's energy lifeline, Prime Minister Scholz has also been reluctant to sanction the Russian side with this.
Recently, some German politicians proposed to reduce dependence on Russia, in the country gradually eliminate nuclear waste coal, want to achieve "net zero emissions" before 2045, what choice?
Lip and Tooth Dependent Historical Origins
About 80% of Russian natural gas is exported to Europe, accounting for about 40% of Europe ’ s natural gas demand.
In Germany, natural gas accounted for about 27% of energy consumption last year, of which about 32% came from Russia.
If Nord Stream 2 goes live, Russia could double its natural gas supply to Europe.
Germany and Russia are now closely intertwined. Stefan Auer, Associate Professor of European Studies at HKU, and Alexey Maslov, Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at Moscow University, point to several turning points to explain why Germany has become the main agent of Russian gas throughout Europe.
Moreover, this is not just a cooperation between the two countries, but also involves German companies, large and small, and investors.
1969: Pipeline for natural gas
Former Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko visited West Germany and proposed economic cooperation.
West German Chancellor Willy Brandt also pursued a policy of reconciliation with the East, with the strategy of “through trade transformation ” (Wandel durch Handel).
West Germany became a rare Western partner for the Soviet Union, with West Germany building steel pipelines and the Soviet Union supplying natural gas. The contract was signed the following year, which was regarded as the most politically important East-West agreement of the Cold War.
1973: Business cooperation
Ruhrgas AG purchases natural gas from the Soviet Union through East Germany and then expands its natural gas supply to other European countries.
Over the next few decades, Russian gas company Gazprom ’ s ties with German companies grew, extending to cultural exchanges, such as art exhibitions and sponsorship of art institutions, which Maslov said went beyond commercial cooperation. Auer said Willy Brandt ’ s conciliatory ideas continued to influence left-wing German politicians and intellectuals, who saw these shifts as contributing to the end of the Cold War and the end of communism in Europe.
2006: Development of Nord Stream
After the Cold War, more Dodd companies joined the investment in Russian and German natural gas projects, including chemical giant BASF and industrial giant Siemens.
The Nord Stream project was established in 2006, which Maslov described as "an extension of existing cooperation".
Line 1 opened in 2011.
In 2013, Gazprom and Germany ’ s Verbundnetz Gas signed an agreement on cooperation in oil and gas technology until 2030. Auer argued that Schörtz ’ s avoidance of talks on the operational Nord Stream 1 and the non-operational 2 was due to the huge compensation to be paid to the joint venture if the government suspended the project for political reasons.
1.
Private projects or diplomatic tools?
Gas is seen as a weapon of diplomacy, allowing Russia to provide accumulated foreign exchange in response to Western sanctions.
Despite opposition from its European neighbors, two German prime ministers, Merkel and Schörtz, have insisted that Nord Stream 2 is a private project.
Russia:
From the perspective of Gazprom, the Russian natural gas company, Maslov pointed out that the government directly or indirectly owns 50.23% of the shares, mainly represented by the Federal State Property Administration, so from a structural point of view, it is a state-owned company.
He stressed that the role of the government is to provide funds, and there is no such thing as a gold stock system (that is, state-owned shareholders have more voting rights), and the decision-making is the responsibility of the board of directors.
However, it has recently been reported that former German Chancellor Schroeder will become a member of the board of directors, causing controversy.
Germany:
"(called a private project) is undoubtedly a convenient way to avoid the problem of war."
Daniel Marwecki, a German lecturer in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at HKU, said that after World War II Germany learned to avoid war and that its defence was dependent on the United States: “So peaceful relations with Russia are very important. ”
Economic cooperation is easier to achieve and is also a bargaining chip to avoid war.
Geographically, if Eastern Europe goes to war, Germany is closer to the battlefield than Britain and the United States: "For Germany, it is very important to avoid war by all means, especially nuclear war." In addition, Britain and France have developed other sources of energy, including nuclear energy, only Germany has increased its dependence on Russia in view of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
He said this was not a problem when the United States was strong and the post-Cold War order was stable: “The economic needs of Germany and Russia offset each other. ”
But now the attitude of the Russian side has changed sharply, and the situation in Germany is worrying.
2.
The United States agrees with Russia.
Biden once threatened Russia at North Stream 2, but Schörtz, who was next to him, did not show support, indicating that virtue is divided. Maslov said that the United States has rarely interfered in Europe-Russia energy relations in the past, this time clearly out of economic "separation", playing a war card to undermine Europe-Russia commercial contracts, and by attacking the European gas market to become a supplier.
But he pointed out that neither Germany nor the United States can replace Russia's natural gas supply.
He also noted that Biden recently said that once a war, the United States will not send troops, only sanctions, "that is, the United States does not want to involve in the military, only wants to pressure the Russian side from the economy."
He believes Biden is not bluffing, but if Nord Stream 2 is suspended, Germany will lose more than Russia.
German public opinion favors buying Russian energy
Germany stands on the same side as Russia on the US stand. Marwecki said that the German mainstream actually supports Nord Stream 2, and even is comfortable with the status quo. "The more the United States criticizes Germany's dependence on Russia, the more the Germans want to maintain this dependence."
Due to the casualties caused by the German invasion of Russia during World War II, the Germans are now generally more accepting of Russia.
He said that the German world view is simple, only want cheap energy and exports, the most ideal situation is: trade, exports, no war, just as the Sino-German relationship is that German companies make cars in China and sell a large number of cars to China.
"There is some foreground behind it, because the German defense is mainly dependent on the United States."
However, the coalition government is divided, the Green Party is a cautious internationalist and ideological, like the new Green Party foreign minister Baerbock against Nord Stream 2, stand close to the United States.
But Schörtz's Social Democrats were more pragmatic, knowing that shelving Nord Stream 2 would cost Germany.
At present, the strategy adopted by Germany is to avoid talking about it, and expect the situation to cool down, and then launch the Nord Stream 2, which is already ready.
3.
If Russia loses Europe, there will still be China.
Russia is the third largest natural gas supplier to China, and the two sides also jointly mine gas fields in the Arctic, including the Marr Peninsula.
Last year, China signed a new gas contract with Russian energy company Novatek for a period of 15 years.
Maslov said that although China has set carbon reduction targets, but at the same time knows that it is not realistic, so in recent years, it has taken the initiative to speed up Sino-Russian energy cooperation to supply gas to the northeast and Xinjiang.
"This is part of Sino-Russian cooperation, so we call it strategic cooperation, not just to supply oil and gas to China."
He added that Russia, facing competition from other Central Asian countries such as Turkmenistan, has gone through a “painful price process ” with China, and the final price is not as low as expected.“ All gas contracts are for the future and may become cheaper in the future. ”
China-Russia Energy Cooperation Continues to Be Important in European Market
Maslov believes that even if China becomes a major export market, Russia will not cut off supply to Europe to maintain competitive market relations. “It is not ideal to work only with China, so I think Russia will try to restore cooperation with Germany. ”
4.
Energy autonomy is difficult.
Natural gas is the transition fuel of the "European Green New Deal". Robert Habeck, a member of the Green Party and the German Minister of Economy and Climate, recently said that the geopolitical situation forced Germany to think about other natural gas supplies, so as not to become a "game piece".
But Marwecki said that the import of natural gas from Russia or the United States would become a political chip. “Energy has always been a political weapon, and imagine that if there were another person like Trump, it would be the same. ”
European countries are actively exploring renewable energy, but full independence is still a long way away, and the only way to maximize local production and supply is to maximize local capacity.
Germany plans to build liquefied natural gas receiving terminals, regulate the natural gas reserves of energy companies and develop clean energy sources such as hydrogen.
He said the Green Party is vague about this, that Germany wants to abolish nuclear power and reduce coal consumption, "they have not answered where to get enough renewable energy." The current government insists on abolishing the nuclear route, Auer said: "In my view, it is a wrong strategy."
Because the crisis in Ukraine exposed the limitations of dependence on Russia: “With Russia ’ s track record, environmental protection will not improve anywhere if it is allowed to have more geopolitical influence. ”
In a world dominated by China and Russia, Europe will face more pressing problems.
""
Europe is alienated from Russia.
Maslov also believes that the renewable energy developed in Europe is not enough to shake up the status of Russia, he cited China as an example: "China was the first to promote wind power, but even the electricity of small cities can not be satisfied." Greece, Portugal, France and others are developing renewable energy, but it is a drop in the bucket.
Therefore, he believes that neither France nor Germany ’ s “clear-headed politicians ” want to distance themselves from Russia, and he believes that the West still has to rely on natural gas and other purification technologies and regulatory measures to achieve its carbon reduction goals.
However, he pointed out that there is a huge gap between business and political needs in Europe, and the stalemate between Europe and Russia will continue for at least three to five years, and it will be difficult in the short term to return to the close relationship that it was 10 years ago.
However, with the exchange of natural gas and oil technology between the two sides and the opening of the Nord Stream 2 and its surrounding pipeline construction, Russia can still secure its position as a natural gas supplier with price and production advantages.
5.
The two countries' hearts.
Maslov said Russia has only two goals: to participate in European political and security decisions; and to prevent NATO from expanding eastward.
Russia sees itself as a member of Europe and is not content to be a mere supplier of oil and gas, but has for years been “sidelined ” by Europe when discussing issues in Ukraine, Crimea and the Donbas region.
“Russia ’ s position was clearly accepted under Hillary [as secretary of state], but it has deteriorated since the late Obama administration, especially during the Trump years, ” he said. He believes that this is the main reason for Russia to“ move from the West to the East ” and draw closer to China, making it clear that it is impossible to rebuild relations with the United States or Europe.
The advantage of Sino-Russian cooperation is that the two have their own plans. The former has a "Belt and Road" and the latter advocates "Greater Europe and Asia", which do not overlap and conflict, but share common values and goals.
He noted that at the Sino-Russian summit earlier this month, the two countries began to talk about democracy, military and cyber security, as well as a joint defense against Western sanctions.
“All the actions of the United States have taken us to a new world, to become more regional. ”
As for Germany, Marwecki said that the whole country has a pacifist tendency, and the society is more tolerant of Russia than other European countries.
At the same time, the government is full of opinions, including the transatlantic camp, the United States camp, the German independent camp, the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party also hold different positions on the power struggle.
But there is no doubt that this is the moment of maximum military deployment in Europe after World War II, and a major crisis after Schörz came to power. Under the constraints of a joint government, he felt that Schörz was doing what he could, including showing in Washington that Germany was on the side of the West, and in Moscow ’ s insistence on resolving problems diplomatically. "It is our damned responsibility to avoid war in Europe," he said.
by Vincent Leung
{Photo} Provided by respondents, Gazprom website, Agence France-Presse
{Art} Chang Yu-chi
{edit} Au Yang Dezhi
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The country's energy mix consists of 41% renewables, 28% coal, and 15% gas, indicating a significant shift towards renewable energy sources.

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Content: World

Berlin against, Rome is silent, Paris in favor. Nuclear power explodes in the EU

Germany closed three reactors in 2021 and plans to do the same with the other three in 2022. Belgium shares the same idea, “shut down” its seven plants by 2025. Spain, which has some reactors in operation as well, does not consider them “green” at all. Luxembourg dismisses the proposal to include the atom in the green taxonomy as a “provocation”. Austria of the atom does not want to know, with 82% of its primary energy production made from renewables (data 2019), and is studying a legal action against the Commission. France is delighted to see nuclear power (77% of its domestic production) taken into account by Brussels. Italy, which is fond of Minister Cingolani’s idea of increasing its gas extractions, is currently silent and at least hopes for a golden rule to exclude “green” investments from the calculation of the deficit. A few days after the publication of the draft of the European Commission on the green taxonomy, the distances between the 27 instead of narrowing, are widening and if yesterday they seemed divided, today they show themselves to be shattered.

The definition of the green taxonomy is fundamental in orienting investments: with the “green” stamp, industrial and infrastructure projects can be much more attractive for private capital. However, the decision to include nuclear and gas in the EU’s green taxonomy has met with harsh criticism already in recent weeks, when rumors had not yet taken the form of a draft Commission. The technicians from Brussels and the team of experts who collaborated in the drafting of the central document for the definition of the EU energy planning in the context of the Green New Deal tried to circumvent the foreseeable resistance by introducing some conditions for the two sources that are not neutral with respect to the climate and the environment. Nuclear and gas, first of all, will be considered compatible with the green taxonomy only for a defined period of time and “to the extent that they contribute to the transition towards climate neutrality and do not significantly damage the environment”, according to an official of Brussels. “The Commission sees the future energy mix as a predominantly renewable or low-carbon energy system. We really hope that this proposal will help bring about the change we need and channel private funding towards low-emission energy sources ”.

In fact, it means that investments in nuclear power will be “green” only if the projects presented have a well defined plan, funds and site for the disposal of radioactive waste in total safety. Building permits will only be allowed until 2045. It is worth remembering that at the moment there is still talk of third generation or third plus nuclear power. Not the fourth, the (slag-free) fusion that experts believe may have a role on an industrial scale no earlier than the middle of the century. As for gas, investments in power plants will be green only if they contribute to emissions of less than 270 grams of CO2 equivalent per kWh and replace more polluting fossil fuel plants. They will need to obtain a building permit before 2030.

On gas, the Commission’s conditions appear much more stringent. It is a non-solid fossil source, certainly less polluting than coal and to which Italy looks with interest, having unused methane deposits. Moreover, in a European context of high prices and constant reduction of supplies from the main supplier, Russia, for reasons of a geopolitical nature. But it is on nuclear power that the clash risks worsening at the community level.

“We believe nuclear technology is dangerous,” government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin, noting that the question of what to do with the radioactive waste remains unresolved. Hebestreit added that Germany “expressly rejects” the EU assessment on atomic energy and has repeatedly affirmed this position towards the Commission. Germany is now considering the next steps to take. Germany is set to shut down the remaining three nuclear power plants later this year and phase out coal by 2030, while its neighbor France aims to modernize existing reactors and build new ones to meet energy needs. Berlin plans to rely on natural gas until it can be replaced by non-polluting energy sources. The opposite paths taken by two of the EU’s largest economies have led to an embarrassing situation for the Commission. The draft EU executive branch concludes that both nuclear power and natural gas can be considered sustainable under certain conditions for investment purposes.

Hebestreit said the German government’s goal is to use natural gas only as a “bridge technology” and replace it with non-polluting alternatives such as hydrogen produced from renewable energy by 2045, the deadline the country has set for becoming climate neutral. . The spokesman did not say whether Chancellor Olaf Scholz supports the opinion of the Minister of Economy and Climate Robert Habeck that the European Commission’s proposals are a form of “greenwashing”.

Germany has pulled the plug on three of its last six nuclear power plants. The Brokdorf, Grohnde and Gundremmingen C reactors, operated by the E.On and Rwe utilities, were closed on December 31st after 35 years of operation. The last three nuclear power plants – Isar 2, Emsland and Neckarwestheim II – will be shut down by the end of 2022. However, closure does not mean decommissioning, which will take much longer and is expected to take place by 2040 in the case of Brokdorf, for example. .

In 2021, the six nuclear power plants contributed about 12% of electricity generation in Germany. The German energy mix consists of 41% renewables, 28% coal and 15% gas. By 2030, Germany aims to meet 80% of energy demand with renewables. This is not the case in France where – given Eurostat 2019 – 77.6% of its energy produced comes from the atom and only 20% from renewable.

Germany is not alone in the firm opposition to the proposal put forward by Brussels: the draft “is a provocation from a procedural point of view” and “in terms of content it hides the risk of greenwashing”, wrote on Twitter the Minister of Energy of the Luxembourg, Claude Turmes, saying he is ready to “examine the proposal in detail and discuss further steps” together with Germany and Austria, equally opposed to including nuclear power among sustainable investments. The proposal was sent to governments on Friday, “in a nocturnal and nebulous action. This says a lot about transparency ”, attacked Turmes.

The same tones used by Vienna: if these are the plans “we will sue”, wrote on Twitter the Austrian Federal Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Leonore Gewessler, highlighting that nuclear energy is “dangerous and not it represents a solution in the fight against the climate crisis ”. Austria has no reactors and produces almost all of its energy from renewable sources.

The Spanish government also rejected the European Commission’s proposal to include nuclear and natural gas energy in the EU’s “green” taxonomy. According to Madrid, this is “a step backwards” and “a wrong signal” for the financial markets. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera, stressed that “regardless of whether we can continue to invest in one or the other, we believe they are not green or sustainable energies”. Spain – he added – “is a firm supporter of green taxonomy as a key tool to have common references that can be used by investors to achieve the decarbonisation of the economy and climate neutrality by 2050”, but include nuclear and gas “It would be a step backwards,” according to the government official Sanchez. “It makes no sense and sends the wrong signals for the European energy transition as a whole,” he stressed. While admitting that both nuclear power and natural gas have a role to play in the transition, this is “limited in time”. Member States have until 12 January to provide their response to the Commission. Then, once published, it will have to pass the scrutiny of the EU Council and Parliament, where the environmentalist parties are also announcing a battle.

In 2019, France was the country that produced the largest share of energy in the EU (20% of the total), followed by Germany (17%), Poland (9.6%), Italy and Sweden (6%). ). However, the debate on green taxonomy is intertwined with energy security (or sovereignty) in a particular historical phase, marked by risks to the security of supply due to geopolitical and military reasons, as shown by the tensions on the Ukrainian border. Primary energy production in the EU in 2019 was distributed among various energy sources, the most important of which in terms of the size of its contribution were renewables, with over a third (36.5%) of the total. Second place for nuclear power, with 32.0% of total primary energy production, with France in the lead, followed by Belgium (77% of domestic production in 2019) which, however, is about to abound in nuclear power like Germany. However, all European energy production is not enough to meet its needs: more than half of Europe’s energy is imported. The EU energy dependency rate exceeds 50%.

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Germany plans to generate 80% of its energy from renewables by 2030, with solar and wind power driving the country's renewable energy adoption.

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Germany Achieves 10% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions, On Track for 2030 Climate Goals

Germany achieves a 10.1% cut in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, marking significant progress in its journey towards environmental sustainability.

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Germany marked a significant milestone in its environmental efforts, reporting a 10.1% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, as confirmed by official data. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, doubling as the economy and climate minister, announced that with about 673 million tons of greenhouse gases emitted last year, Germany is poised to meet its ambitious 2030 target of reducing emissions by 65% relative to 1990 levels. This progress is attributed to the robust expansion of renewable energy sources and a strategic move away from coal and gas, despite the economic challenges faced by businesses and consumers.

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Strategic Expansion of Renewable Energy

The Federal Environmental Agency highlighted the country's "very successful expansion of renewable energies" as a pivotal factor in the emission reduction. Germany's focused efforts on solar and wind power and other renewable sources have not only contributed to the decline in emissions but also positioned the country as a leader in renewable energy adoption. However, the agency also pointed out that more efforts are needed, especially in the transport sector, to continue this positive trend.

Challenges and Projections

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The ministry led by Habeck noted that while projections for the coming years are promising, showing a potential decline in emissions by nearly 64% by 2030 compared with 1990, challenges remain. The transport sector, in particular, requires significant advancements in electric mobility and a reevaluation of subsidies. The country's economic performance, impacted by high energy prices and global economic instability, underscores the need for continued dedication to environmental goals amidst adversity.

Looking Forward

Germany's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 remains steadfast, with renewable energy playing a crucial role in this journey. The nation's progress, including the notable decline in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023, serves as a testament to its capacity for green transformation. As Germany continues on this path, the global community watches closely, recognizing the potential ripple effect of its actions on international climate policy and the broader fight against climate change.

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The country aims to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, and its renewable energy subsidy plan has been approved by the EU.

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The European Commission said on Wednesday it had approved a 28 billion euro ($29.69 billion) renewable energy subsidy plan from Germany aimed at accelerating the expansion of wind and solar power.
This plan will replace the current renewable energy subsidy scheme and will be valid until 2026.
The plan aims to meet Germany ’ s goal of producing 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
The European Commission said the plan was "necessary and appropriate" to encourage the use of renewable energy and reduce emissions that are warming the planet.
EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in a statement that Germany ’ s Renewable Energy Act 2023 plan will help accelerate the pace of reducing carbon use in electricity production.
Expanding clean energy production will be necessary to meet Germany ’ s goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, as well as filling part of the energy supply gap that occurred after Russia cut most of its gas supplies to Europe this year.
Since the outbreak of the crisis in Ukraine at the end of February, disagreements and mutual sanctions between Moscow and EU capitals and non-EU allies such as the United States have caused reciprocal sanctions.
The sanctions included the Russian energy sector, prompting Moscow to collect the value of its energy exports in Russian rubles from countries described as "unfriendly", before gas exports via the Nord Stream 1 line stopped at the end of August.
It has also become difficult to resume exports via Nord Stream 1 and 2 after explosions caused gas leaks in the Baltic Sea.
Europe announced a ninth round of sanctions against Russia after it capped the price of Russian seaborne gas at $60 a barrel.
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However, the Russian-Ukrainian war has affected Germany's energy plans, and the country is now facing a rare export slump in 2023.

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Content: In early 2023, Germany shut down its last nuclear power plants, so this winter will be Germany ’ s first “nuclear-free winter ”. Despite the German government ’ s vow to modernize its energy system and develop renewable energy, Germany ’ s fossil fuel consumption is higher and its power system is dirtier.
Commenting on Germany ’ s electricity problem, Reuters columnist Gavin Maguire wrote that the country ’ s electricity problem began with a gradual decline in the share of nuclear power in Germany ’ s power generation structure. In 2014, the contribution of nuclear power to Germany ’ s total electricity supply fell by only 6% in 2022, and finally dropped to zero after the last eight reactor outages in 2023.
According to the think tank Ember, Germany's last eight nuclear reactors generated about 8.1 gigawatts (8,000 megawatts) of electricity, a gap that was filled by solar and wind capacity.
It seems to be okay.
However, as solar power (Germany ’ s second largest clean power after wind) suffers from reduced sunlight this year, power generation will fall sharply this winter, and the total amount of clean electricity in Germany will also decline, but winter has always been Europe ’ s peak electricity consumption (heating demand), so German power producers are forced to increase the amount of electricity generated from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. of emissions.
According to the data, in the first nine months of 2023, Germany ’ s total electricity generation fell compared to last year, including clean electricity and fossil energy power; clean electricity fell by 5.6% compared to the same period in 2022, and fossil fuel power generation fell by 21%.
In other words, this year has been the most electricity efficient year in Germany since 2017.
But don ’ t think that ’ s a good thing, because Germany ’ s industrial electricity demand has fallen this year, and the economy has certainly followed suit.
Why is that so?
Data from the London Stock Exchange shows that the high price of electricity in Germany is a key factor. Compared to 2019, the price of electricity in Germany is 160% higher this year, although it is much better than the highest price last year (electricity prices soared last year due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, this year has fallen), but the German industry is still unwilling to pay.
According to data from the London Stock Exchange (LSEG), German chemical and fertilizer production (previously produced using abundant and cheap natural gas) has fallen to its lowest level in more than a decade in 2023 as producers cut production.
Production of cars, steel, batteries and turbines has also been cut, causing Germany, Europe ’ s largest economy, to experience a rare export slump this year.
In order to support the German industrial recovery, the German government asked the power companies to suppress the cost of electricity, and actively increase the production of cheap renewable energy, did get some results, but after entering the autumn, the sunshine time reduced, Germany September to December's total solar power, must be more than 80% lower than the peak.
Since solar power has accounted for more than 20% of Germany ’ s total electricity generation each month in the past five months, such a serious decline in clean power production will inevitably lead to a tight overall electricity supply; in order to make up for the shortage of solar power, Germany can only maximize the use of wind power, wind power production in Germany will increase in winter.
In order to supplement the intermittent problem of wind power and ensure that the total generation of electricity rises as demand grows, power companies have to increase the generation of coal and gas, which can be controlled by power plants to balance the needs of the national electricity market.
Speaking of which, it is clear that Germany will have to rely more on fossil fuels to generate electricity, and its carbon emissions will inevitably increase.
In order to determine its ideal of a non-nuclear homeland, Germany has caused more pollution, and the cost of electricity is still high, which has hit the German industry.
In August of this year, economists criticized "Germany's economic recession is already the sick man of Europe", which is all related to the abandonment of nuclear power.
German power mix may get dirtier for 1st non-nuclear winter
# Germany # Electricity # Dirty # Carbon # Solar

Germany relies on Russia for 55% of its gas imports, making it vulnerable to supply disruptions.

Title:

Content: This is an audio transcript of the FT News Briefing podcast episode: Russia’s move on Ukraine triggers western sanctions

Marc Filippino
Good morning from the Financial Times. Today is Wednesday, February 23rd, and this is your FT News Briefing.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Russia is edging closer to war. President Vladimir Putin is endorsing Russian-backed separatists who claim the entire Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, western powers are pushing back both with sanctions and by suspending the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. But can Germany kick its Russian gas habit?

Guy Chazan
Its industry has really become addicted to relatively cheap Russian gas so it’s in a bit of a bind, really.

Marc Filippino
Plus, how are Russian markets holding up through all this? Unsurprisingly, not so great. We’ll tell you more. I’m Marc Filippino, and here’s the news you need to start your day.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Very late on Monday night, Russian president Vladimir Putin decided to send what he called peacekeeping troops into eastern Ukraine. They’ll support two Russian-backed separatist states that he’s recognised as independent. This crossed a line for western powers, and they retaliated with a salvo of sanctions against Moscow on Tuesday. The US is targeting two of Russia’s largest financial institutions, as well as Russian elites and their family members. The FT’s Henry Foy has more on Europe’s sanctions towards Russia.

Henry Foy
So the European Union has decided to sanction a lot of individuals and entities. They’ve gone after 351 members of the Russian parliament. These are elected MPs, elected representatives who voted for the independence of these statelets, these separatists to be recognised for troops to be sent in, and also 27 individuals and entities who are linked to actions that have undermined Ukraine’s sovereignty. The key thing here, though, is the EU, just like the US and the UK who also announced their own sanction packages, are saying this is not it. This is just the first wave. And if you continue aggression against Ukraine and if there is a full invasion of the rest of Ukraine not held by these pro-Russian separatists, then there will be more — much, much more. This first wave is targeted. It’s not particularly economically damaging, but it’s a sign that there is unity across the west in standing up to this.

Marc Filippino
Henry, is all this enough to push Russia from further escalation?

Henry Foy
Well Marc, officials I speak to here in Brussels, in the EU, inside of Nato, tell me basically, no. That effectively, Putin has made a decision that he is going to go the whole way and invade Ukraine. That’s a decision that he’s built up over years. It’s an emotional decision. It’s an irrational one. And there’s really little that the west can do about it, given that Putin has thrown away and torn up all the diplomatic efforts. And he will take these sanctions and the sanctions will slow him down. They will affect the Russian economy. They will make an invasion more painful than perhaps it would have been before. However, they’re not going to stop him if that is what he intends to do, and most people, the Nato intelligence community, the defence community, believes that that is his decision.

Marc Filippino
Now, how is Nato’s approaching all this? You know, a crucial issue for Russia is that it wants to keep Ukraine and other former Soviet countries out of Nato. What’s its role right now?

Henry Foy
So Nato’s role, they’ve been very clear about this, is to protect itself, to protect alliance members, to protect Nato members in Europe. So what they’ve done in recent months and weeks is to deploy more troops in eastern European countries that border Ukraine and Russia effectively as deterrents to Russia to say, look, if you are going to invade Ukraine, you’re not going to come anywhere near us because we are going to defend our own, our own members, but also to help with any cross-border fallout from an invasion of Ukraine, which is likely to be in the form of refugees, potentially spillover events such as terrorism.

Marc Filippino
Henry Foy is the FT’s European diplomatic correspondent.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

The news of Russia sending troops to Ukraine sent the price of oil up to nearly 100 bucks a barrel yesterday, and there was other energy news too. Germany has frozen the approval process on the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Berlin would not approve the Kremlin-backed project. The pipeline is owned by the Russian-backed company Gazprom and would have increased a Russian gas supplies to Germany and the rest of Europe. The pipeline project has been in the works for years, and there has been a lot of pressure on Germany to stop it. But now that it’s been stopped, what’s next for Germany’s energy sector? Our Berlin bureau chief Guy Chazan joins me now to talk about this. Welcome to the show, Guy.

Guy Chazan
Hi.

Marc Filippino
So Guy, one of our Lex columnists wrote that Germany has been like a junkie in its addiction to Russian gas. How dependent is Germany on Russian energy?

Guy Chazan
Well, it relies on Russia for 55 per cent of its gas imports, and that’s more than many other countries in Europe. It’s a sort of, it’s an indictment in a way of the country’s kind of energy policies over the past few years because in 2011 it took this rather controversial decision to phase out all its nuclear power stations by 2022, and it’s now also phasing out its coal-fired power stations by 2030. So it has all these very ambitious goals to change its energy mix, but that has made it relatively more reliant on gas. And when you’re more reliant on gas, you’re more reliant on Gazprom because that’s Europe’s major supplier.

Marc Filippino
Yeah, and Russia, in response to Germany’s move, said, OK, well, you know, this is going to have an impact on already high energy prices. How hard will higher prices hit Germany’s economy?

Guy Chazan
Well, we’ve already been getting a taste of it because over the past few months, energy experts have said that Gazprom seems to be deliberately withholding supplies to the spot market in Europe, and that has driven up prices. But it’s basically destroyed the reputation of Gazprom as a reliable supplier in Germany. The green minister of the economy yesterday said that explicitly, and that’s really a big change because in the past, whenever you sort of ask German officials, you know, what about this relationship with Russia? They always say, well, you know, even in the worst times during the cold war, Russia was a reliable supplier. Those flows of gas were never affected. But that seems to have changed in recent months, and the perception of Gazprom has accordingly changed as well in Germany.

Marc Filippino
So given that this perception of Gazprom has changed, what alternatives does Germany have when it comes to energy sources?

Guy Chazan
Well, none at the moment. That’s the problem. It basically is building a terminal for the import of LNG, liquefied natural gas. But that is very expensive, much more expensive than Gazprom’s gas. So it’s in a bit of a bind, really. But the big difference, I suppose, really from the Merkel era, the governments of Angela Merkel, is that we now have this government with the Greens, and they are determined for Germany to go carbon neutral in the next 25 years. And if that ambition is achieved, then there will be much, much more renewables, much more wind and solar, and much less reliance on fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas.

Marc Filippino
Less of a question on the economics of this whole thing and more about the safety of German people. I mean, it’s the middle of February. If people aren’t able to heat their homes, is there a potential issue with people being safe and warm in Germany?

Guy Chazan
Well, I don’t think so, because the consensus is that Gazprom and Russia would not do anything as suicidal as withhold gas supplies to Germany. I mean that literally would be destroying an energy relationship, which is mutually, very, very beneficial. It’s not just Germany that benefits from this. It’s Russia, too, which relies very, very heavily on the flow of foreign currency into its exchequer. I think actually, if it were to come to that, Germany is actually quite well placed at the moment because the winter is drawing to an end and it’s getting sort of LNG shipments via Rotterdam. So it has been able to diversify. And apparently ministers have been saying the energy security situation is OK at the moment.

Marc Filippino
Guy Chazan is the FT’s Berlin bureau chief. Thank you, Guy.

Guy Chazan
Thanks.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

Marc Filippino
Moscow’s main stock benchmark has collapsed by a third since October. Markets have been responding to the escalating crisis in Ukraine. Investors are mostly worried about two things — one, a full-blown invasion by Russia into Ukraine, and two, how sanctions, which you know, we talked about earlier, will affect assets. Our capital markets correspondent Tommy Stubbington has been following this and says there’s one area in particular investors are watching.

Tommy Stubbington
Possibly the most extreme form of sanctions in terms of their impact on the Russian stock market would be an outright ban on trading Russian stocks or Russian bonds on the secondary market, which would make it effectively impossible for western investors to hold those assets. Now we’re not there yet, but I mean, obviously any outside risks that investors see will lead to investors effectively dumping the Russian assets that they hold, and they do hold those assets largely because they are included in the indices, the investment benchmarks, the billions and billions of dollars of investments follow.

Marc Filippino
Now how insulated is the market overall? And is it likely that the Kremlin would react?

Tommy Stubbington
Share price declines, on their own, are probably something that I imagine the Kremlin wouldn’t be too worried about. They’d be more worried about the sanctions hurting at the level of the whole economy. And on that basis, the Russian economy is fairly well insulated from sanctions by the high level of dollar reserves that their central bank holds, which, you know, should be able to protect the rouble from any kind of run from overseas investors. And so the answer is the, you know, the Russian economy is certainly more sanctions-proof than possibly it was in the past.

Marc Filippino
Tommy Stubbington is the FT’s capital markets correspondent.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

You can read more on all of these stories at FT.com. This has been your daily FT News Briefing. Make sure you check back tomorrow for the latest business news.

This transcript has been automatically generated. If by any chance there is an error please send the details for a correction to: typo@ft.com. We will do our best to make the amendment as soon as possible.

Get alerts on Transcript when a new story is published

Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2022. All rights reserved.
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The country is seeking to diversify its energy supply from other countries, including the US and Qatar.

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Content: Geopolitics / Ukraine
The Ukraine War Affects Germany ’ s Energy Strategy
Russia ’ s war on Ukraine forced Germany to overhaul its energy strategy.
Berlin has urgently started the construction of two previously abandoned LNG terminals.
This is the subject of a field interview published by our RFI correspondent in the French "Chronique Reportage International" column on Thursday, March 3rd.
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In an interview published on Thursday, March 03, 2022 in Chronique Reportage International, correspondent Julien Méchaussie reported from Berlin that Germany, which imports more than 50% of its natural gas and relies on Russian supplies, is now forced to review its energy strategy from the bottom up.
In the face of the inevitable price increase, the people are very worried.
The original title of this RFI column in French was: [Guerre en Ukraine: les conséquences sur l'appropriationnement en gaz russe pour l'Allemagne].
The war in Ukraine: consequences of Russian gas supplies for Germany.
Below is a brief summary for information.
The German people are upset -
In a live interview from Berlin published Thursday in Chronique Reportage International, RFI ’ s French-language network, a passer-by said in German on his way to work that the outbreak of the war in Ukraine had caused a decades-old energy policy to collapse in a matter of days.
Rising energy prices are not good for anyone.
This is not good for the job market, which automatically leads to price increases for all products.
People will be afraid of huge inflation, and the impact on the economy is tragic.
Here, the RFI French correspondent pointed out that the fear of the passer-by interviewed represents many German people.
In Germany, which has a long history of importing Russian gas, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz announced the suspension of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project.
The pipeline linking northern Germany to Russia via the Baltic Sea was completed in September 2021.
The project has now come to a halt. Nord Stream 2 declared bankruptcy this week and more than 100 of its collaborators lost their jobs.
There were signs before the war -
A well-known professor of environmental and resource economics called Germany naive.
He said that at the beginning of this winter, the wind has turned around.
Before the war, Russian gas exports to Germany had dropped to their lowest level in months.
Despite the record price, it is now good to see that this is clearly part of the overall strategy of the Russian side.
German Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Economy and Climate Robert Habeck plans to increase coal imports.
The German Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises has called for an extension of the deadline for coal abandonment, which was decided at the end of last year.
Germany, now seeking to diversify its energy supply, will turn to countries like the United States and Qatar.
But the problem is that these countries are now exporting liquefied natural gas, and Germany has no corresponding terminal to be docked.
Experts interviewed pointed out that Germany is in urgent need of new liquefied natural gas terminals.
However, it takes three to four years to build a terminal.
Of course people can do it as quickly as possible, but this new strategy is not a very short-term solution.
We need to rely on existing infrastructure.
Once the new terminal is put into use, the sky should clear up.
Germany launches old project -
Abandoned two years ago due to a lack of political support, two projects to build LNG terminals in the North Sea have now been urgently launched at a cost of around €1 billion.
... and...
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Germany needs new liquefied natural gas terminals urgently to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.

The construction of two LNG terminals has started in the North Sea to address this need.

Some sectors of the German population are not pushing to bring nuclear reactors back online, as the country had previously planned to phase out nuclear power by 2022.

Instead, Germany is focusing on reducing its dependence on Russian energy and diversifying its energy supply to ensure energy security.

The US Inflation Reduction Act may impact Germany's renewable energy sector, creating unfair competition for EU companies in electric vehicles and clean energy.

Title:

Content: Global Economic News
The future of Germany, the automotive nation, is at stake for the United States.
The Inflation Reduction Act is Reshuffling Cards
In a windswept field in northern Germany, a huge factory to produce electric batteries is supposed to be built with the aim of strengthening Europe ’ s industrial supremacy, if the US grand climate plan doesn ’ t blow it all up.
The site near Hadi, a modest town 100 kilometers from Hamburg, was chosen in March by Swedish company Northvolt to build the world ’ s “cleanest ” battery factory.
The project aims to equip one million electric vehicles a year and reduce Europe ’ s dependence on China ’ s heavily dominant manufacturers.
But the US plan, the Inflation Reduction Act, could remix the cards.
In October, Peter Carlson, chairman of Northvolt, told the German press that the project "may be delayed" as the group "prioritizes expansion in the United States" as it awaits generous aid for battery manufacturers produced on US soil.
Hadi ’ s mayor, Oliver Schmidt Goetzat, said he was “surprised ” by the announcement.
He called on the EU to act to persuade Northvolt to "stay" to carry out this "very important" project for employment and the industrial future of the region.
Martin Peter, a spokesman for the Union of Minerals, said: “Europe needs to act, and it is natural that the US offer will change investors ’ decisions. ”
The future of Germany, the automotive nation and Europe ’ s largest economy, hinges on an industrial base that produces “the most important value-added components ” such as batteries, he said.
In the face of protests, Northvolt seeks reassurance.
A spokesman for the group said the Swedish company remained "committed to its expansion in Europe".
Björn Jørgensen, who is in charge of municipal community development, confirmed that the manufacturer “did not suspend the project and discussions are continuing on Hadi ’ s location.
However, several groups, such as Northvolt, began to look across the Atlantic.
Some solar panel manufacturers, such as Italy ’ s Three San and Switzerland ’ s Mayer Burger, have announced plans to expand or set up factories in the United States.
Therefore, European industry is calling for a strong response from EU countries against the US plan, so as not to torpedo its efforts to the process of environmental transformation.
Aditya Mittal, chairman of ArcelorMittal, said: "I think a response to the American plan is inevitable."
His group plans to invest 1.7 billion euros to reduce emissions at its industrial hubs in northern France.
Airbus Group chairman Guillaume Fawry warned in early December that "the pace will accelerate strongly in the United States if nothing happens in Europe."
The European Commission presented its first proposals on Wednesday to respond to the U.S. plan, which notably provides for loosening rules on public aid.
But it ’ s a proposal that doesn ’ t go far enough according to some renewable energy actors.
Karen Vernier, general manager at France Inoue Energy, which funds energy projects, said: “The Americans created the Inflation Reduction Act for reasons of energy sovereignty, and Europe should do the same. ”
Daniel Bohr, president of the French solar industry association Enerplan, said: “The right question to ask is whether we should limit goods made in Europe. ”
The Commission has suggested that a new EU fund could be created to support green industries.
But the idea is strongly opposed by some member states, notably Germany, which rejects any new common debt.
Publish it.
More Economic News - Global

The act allocates $370 billion to climate change, with tax credits for companies investing in clean energy in the US, but these subsidies are only for US-made products.

Title:

Content:

Biden's climate plan strains ties with European allies

2023/02/04 | 22:58 - Source: Shafaq News

(ThisDay | Iraq News Now)- Shafaq News/ US President Joe Biden's landmark climate action plan has become a subject of tension between the United States and European Union, which fears it could hurt European industry.

With French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and his German counterpart Robert Habeck headed to Washington in the coming week to discuss the consequences of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), here is what you need to know: What is the IRA? The IRA, a massive piece of legislation that largely focuses on climate and social spending, provides more than $430 billion in US investments.

Of that sum, $370 billion will go toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030, making it the largest ever American program to combat climate change.

Some investments are in the form of tax cuts for companies that invest in clean energy, but there are also significant subsidies for electric vehicles, batteries and renewable energy projects -- if they are manufactured in the United States.

One is a $7,500 subsidy for households buying US-made electric vehicles, while another gives benefits to manufacturers of wind turbines and solar panels who use US steel.

The measures have sparked concern in Europe as they impact key industries on the continent.

How are both sides reacting? The IRA has caused a stir at EU headquarters in Brussels and in other European capitals, which see the various subsidies as discriminatory, in particular against the bloc's auto manufacturers.

At the start of the month, the EU unveiled proposals including a controversial expansion of state aid rules partly to counter the threat from US green subsidies.

The new measures give flexibility on providing aid to companies in the green and renewable energy sector, as well as those involved in the decarbonization of industry.

There will also be tax breaks for companies in strategic net-zero sectors.

But US and EU officials struck a conciliatory tone after recent talks, underlining a commitment to address EU concerns "constructively." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in December after meeting with European officials: "We are committed to moving forward together not at the expense of each other, but to the benefit of each other." Le Maire and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai agreed in November that both sides "should work together to deepen the bilateral understanding of the legislation," according to a statement.

Meanwhile US Senator Joe Manchin, who was key in passing the IRA, has expressed surprise at European reactions at a time when the US works to tackle climate change.

Is there room for maneuver? Even if Biden wanted to walk back certain measures or broaden the number of beneficiaries, his legislative options are quite limited.

Biden's Democratic Party has lost its House of Representatives majority in January The new Republican majority is keen on slashing federal government spending, threatening to block the usual rubber-stamp approval for raising the nation's debt limit if Democrats do not agree to steep budget cuts.

It is also unclear that Biden is considering touching a key plank of his presidential legacy, which he salvaged only after protracted negotiations in the Senate.

The subsidies in question are very popular, especially in states such as Ohio and Michigan, where the automotive industry remains powerful.

Their "swing state" status gives them considerable political clout.

What does the EU want? Before the EU, Canada and Mexico expressed concerns about the IRA, which they saw as incompatible with the free trade agreement between the three North American countries.

They obtained an extension of subsidies for electric vehicles made in North America, a key issue for Mexico in particular where many global manufacturers have factories.

This is the type of treatment the EU wants to obtain -- with the bloc previously urging the US to grant it the same exemptions.

In December, the EU said it seeks "non-discriminatory treatment" of the bloc's clean vehicle producers under the IRA's clean vehicle credits, although the specifics could prove complicated to iron out.

Source: AFP

Read all text from Shafaq News

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The EU sees the IRA subsidies as discriminatory against European auto manufacturers, which could harm Germany's automotive industry.

Germany plans to invest €28 billion in renewable energy by 2026, with the goal of producing 80% of its electricity from renewables by 2030.

The country aims to install 15-20 GW of offshore wind by 2030, which will contribute significantly to the country's renewable energy mix.

Title:

Content: Green hydrogen
Germany and the European Union have made progress in their hydrogen talks.
Europe – Germany ’ s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck, said recent progress has been made in talks with the European Commission on hydrogen subsidies.
But the European Commission has not yet approved these subsidies, the EU said, and the aim of the talks is to develop "safeguards (...) to comply with European legislation on national and energy assistance".
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Hydrogen energy is a dual role of clean and efficient energy storage carriers. By converting wind, solar and nuclear energy into hydrogen energy, renewable energy can be stored and transported on a large scale across seasons, becoming the best overall solution in the current new energy field.
Hydrogen energy storage solution is the ideal interconnection medium to promote the clean and efficient use of traditional fossil energy and support the large-scale development of renewable energy. It is the best choice for large-scale deep decarbonization in transportation, industry and construction.
Germany has the second largest installed offshore wind power capacity in the world (7.7 GW in Germany at the end of 2019) and aims to install 15 to 20 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
Germany is phasing out nuclear power by 2022 and coal-fired power by 2038, and is committed to the development of renewable energy, striving to increase the proportion of renewable energy in Germany's power generation structure to 65% by 2030.
Since the implementation of the nuclear policy, Germany's nuclear technology and nuclear industry have declined, and Germany has bet its future on the green hydrogen industry.
As with the development of renewable energy and the gradual realization of electrification, green hydrogen is a key component of the complete realization of a zero-carbon energy system.
Because in many transportation fields, such as aviation, shipping and heavy vehicles, it is not possible to directly use electricity for fuel substitution; some industrial processes also cannot directly use electricity, requiring hydrogen as a fuel raw material or for high-temperature operations.
Improving energy efficiency and developing renewable energy are prerequisites for this transformation process.
Since renewable energy already provides most of Germany ’ s electricity, and Germany has made progress in the electrification of transportation and industry, renewable electricity hydrogen production is the next logical step in achieving carbon neutrality. Given these conditions, green hydrogen provides further avenues of understanding for the transportation, storage and trading of renewable electricity; it allows the region ’ s renewable energy potential to be released and utilized on a global scale.
Der Spiegel reported in July that Germany wants subsidies for future power plants to be integrated into the EU ’ s decarbonisation plan, which would ensure faster approvals and more financial aid.
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Germany's grid infrastructure needs significant investments in energy efficiency and grid infrastructure to support the increased integration of renewable energy sources.

Title:

Content: Australia, Featured, Friends of the Pipeliner, From the magazine, News, Pipelines, Rehabilitation

Inspection solutions and their role in pipeline repurposing

Achieving ambitious climate policy goals will require significant investments in energy efficiency, renewables, new low-carbon technologies, and grid infrastructure. It will also necessitate the close integration of the electricity and gas sectors and their respective infrastructures. A decarbonised Europe will be based on an interplay between renewable electricity and renewable and low-carbon gases in an integrated energy system, all aimed at transporting, storing, and supplying all sectors with green energy to deliver a reliable and affordable transition to climate neutrality.

A number of studies have shown that the existing gas infrastructure and knowledge can support the transition to net zero in the most efficient manner. As the energy transition advances, the valuable pipeline system will provide efficient transportation and storage capacity for renewable energy in the form of molecular energy carriers, making the energy system more flexible and resilient. [1].

Energy systems

Over the past decades, energy systems around the world have grown to connect supply and demand. Countries and companies have built electrical power transmission lines and pipelines for oil and gas to enable economic growth and prosperity. With this growth, consumption of fossil fuels, and therefore greenhouse gas emissions, has increased. The current carbon-based energy system is undergoing profound changes driven by increased concerns over the longevity and security of fossil energy. Countries all around the world are looking for ways to transform their energy systems. Initiatives like the European Hydrogen Backbone illustrate the efforts to transform current European energy systems in order to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.[2].

Pipelines play a major role in the transformation of the energy system because of their ability to safely transport energy over long distances and act as storage at the same time. Compared to electrical power lines, pipelines can carry more energy and are directly connected to existing storage infrastructure, such as caverns. This integrated setup enables countries like Germany to integrate imported energy via pipeline from sources with lower energy production costs. Especially in light of international climate control  goals, the high energy density and the established and partly global transport infrastructure (e.g., pipeline connections from Scandinavia or the Mediterranean or new terminals to import LNG from overseas), it can be assumed that a global market for CO2 neutral gases (and fuels) will develop.[3].

A transformed energy landscape with significantly lower emissions will be based on the sector coupling principle, providing greater flexibility to the energy system so that decarbonisation can be achieved in a more cost-effective way.[4]. Figure 1 illustrates the different sources of energy on the left; the right side highlights the different forms of energy that could be transported by pipeline (including carbon sequestration).

With more focus on the pipelines in the energy sector, it can be seen that the energy is transported in different carriers, such as hydrogen, ammonia, oxygen and/or biomethane. These carriers are called future fuels. Purpose-built pipeline networks transporting these products are already in use today but in a significantly smaller volume than will be needed in the future. [2].

The potential exists that low-carbon gases and their associated products can reliably and efficiently be transported, stored, and distributed in our global existing and newly built pipeline network. Pipelines will also be used to facilitate carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) projects by transporting carbon dioxide safely from emission locations to permanent storage or end use locations. The transportation of these fuels through pipelines will require general as well as specific integrity threats and damage mechanisms to be considered to ensure safe and efficient operation. These challenges can only be managed with a comprehensive integrity management system. [5].

Inspection technologies and necessary changes for future fuels

In-line inspection (ILI) technology can be of significant value in repurposing activities, as it is highly utilised in today’s pipeline integrity management. The support of integrity decisions with measurement data has improved over the last decades, and technological developments in other industries (telecommunication, defense, IT, etc.) will further enhance these capabilities. ILI tools can be classified by integrity threat type or technology principle; widely used principles are mechanical calipers, magnetics, eddy current, ultrasound and electromagnetic acoustics. Knowing the integrity threats for pipelines related to hydrogen or other future fuels, ROSEN acknowledges that different kinds of ILI technologies can support the integrity management of such pipelines. Those ILI technologies could be technologies for the detection of, for example, deformations, mapping or corrosion. Technologies could also include those particularly applicable to future fuels, such as those for the determination of material properties or the detection of cracks and crack-like anomalies in gas pipelines. [5].

Today’s diagnostic ILI portfolio delivers solutions from simple cleaning applications to high-resolution crack detection services to understand feature populations and deliver data

f or integrity decisions. It is important that all these applications are also available in future fuel assets. Table 1 summarises the applications and technologies available. ROSEN is creating solutions to adapt its fleet of inspection tools, getting them ready for future fuels. Initial inspections in smaller-diameter product lines for hydrogen, ammonia and carbon dioxide have already been conducted [5], and the lessons learned and use of the solutions in larger diameters and longer pipelines are under development.

The main outcome of these development efforts are solutions for safe and successful inspections in future fuel pipelines. Independent of the technologies, the three main working areas are material compatibility, operational success and safety.

The inspection tools need to withstand the environment, which can be very different compared to oil and natural gas. Products like ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrogen pose specific challenges for the materials comprising the inspection tools, and intense upfront testing and an understanding of deterioration processes are key for inspection vendors to deliver high-quality services. ROSEN is utilising its own hydrogen laboratory to execute material testing on all components used to build tools within the ILI portfolio.

Another key aspect of ILI is the ability to gather a high-quality dataset under the harsh conditions in pipelines. Speed control valves as well as low-flow/low-pressure setups enable a constant flow velocity without speed excursions or tool stops. [6]. The lower density of hydrogen compared to natural gas will increase bypass rates while also changing the behaviour of existing speed control implementations. Tool run simulations are a standard deliverable for proper inspection preparation, and these simulations have now been extended to also allow simulations to understand the tool dynamics in a hydrogen environment. Besides tool friction properties in the specific pipeline, the dynamic behaviour of ILI tools in gas pipelines also depends on the density and compressibility of the fluid. In order to classify the behaviour of tools in different pressures, velocities and fluids, operational limits diagrams as shown in Figure 2 can be used.

In order to generate the diagrams, several simulations of the specific ILI tool in a pipeline are performed at different pressures and the results evaluated. Based on availability, bypass information from a pump test in water is integrated to specify a minimum gas velocity for future inspections.

The safety requirements for the operation of ILI solutions may change with the introduction of hydrogen into pipeline networks. Existing ATEX certificates might need to be updated to ensure proper consideration of the lighter hydrogen in on-site safety procedures. ROSEN is covering this aspect in current developments to implement a suitable solution for customers worldwide.

The damage mechanism of hydrogen embrittlement, and therefore the potential initiation or propagation of cracks in pipeline steel, is one of the big uncertainties in repurposing activities. Understanding the population of planar flaws is as critical to estimating remaining life as it is to making proper investment decisions. Table 1 shows ultrasound, electromagnetic acoustic transducer and eddy current as possible technologies to detect cracking in pipelines. Cracking (internal SCC) is also a potential threat for both CO2 and ammonia pipelines, meaning crack detection technologies are likely to be required for most future fuel pipelines.

There are different implementations of ultrasound technology available; one of special interest for non-liquid (hydrogen or CO2) pipelines is electro-magnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) technology. Mainly utilised in natural gas pipelines to assist in the management of stress-corrosion cracking and long seam integrity, EMAT has a significant advantage over conventional ultrasound: it does not require a liquid couplant, meaning it can be run in a gas line without the need for liquid batching. There are several generations of inspection tools available, with the latest implementations showing signification improvements in circumferential resolution and sensitivity. The technology allows for the detection, identification, and sizing of axial planar flaws, which can be helpful when in-service inspections in hydrogen or CO2 pipelines are required, or repurposing activities are executed in natural gas pipelines without the need to include a liquid batch.

Figure 3 illustrates the EMAT principle. EMAT induces an acoustic wave by generating an eddy current and magnetic flux field in the pipe. An additional benefit of EMAT is that it can give information about the external coating condition, which can be valuable when assessing external integrity threats. More information about the technology can be found in [7] and [8]. Figure 4 shows the latest implementation of the technology in a larger diameter. These inspection tools are equipped with speed control units to ensure a proper velocity profile and thus adequate data quality.

Conclusion

There are three  main challenges to overcome when it comes to inspection solutions for future fuel pipelines. Safe on-site operation depends on updated processes for the people and machinery involved. Furthermore, existing concepts for explosion protection (ATEX) may be upgraded to include the lighter hydrogen. Materials and components used on in-line inspection tools can be tested in a laboratory environment to characterise their durability and adapt them if necessary. High-quality datasets depend on proper tool run behaviour and sensor-to-wall contact. Simulations can support these assessments to understand fluid dynamics in future fuel pipelines before executing the inspections.

REFERENCES

[1]  Siemens Energy, “Power-to-X: The crucial business on the way to a carbon-free world,” 2021.

[2]  R. van Rossum, J. Jaro, G. La Guardia, A. Wang, L. Kuehnen and M. Overgaag, “European Hydrogen Backbone,” Guidehouse, Utrecht, 2022.

[3]  D. Bothe, M. Janssen, S. van der Poel, T. Eich, T. Bongers, J. Kellermann, L. Lueck, H. Chan, M. Ahltert, C. A. Quinteros Borras, M. Corneille and M. Kuhn, “Der Wert der Gasinfrastruktur in Deutschland,” Frontier Economics, 2017.

[4]  Frontier Economics, “Potentials of sector coupling for decarbonisation,” European Union, Luxemburg, 2019.

[5]  N. Gallon, M. Humbert and M. Tewes, “Energy Transition And The Impact On Pipeline Integrity,” Pipeline Technology Journal, 2022.

[6]  J. Becker, C. Richards, G. Sundag and R. Wittig, “Improving Data Collection With In-Line Inspection in Low-Pressure Gas Distribution Networks,” in International Pipeline Conference, Calgary, 2020.

[7]  R. Kania, K. Myden, R. Weber and S. Klein, “Validation of EMAT ILI Technology for Gas Pipeline Crack Inspection: A Case Study for 20″,” in 9th Pipeline Technology Conference, 2014.

[8]  M. Tomar, T. Fore, M. Baumeister, C. Yoxall and T. Beuker, “Graded EMAT Performance Specification Validated in Blind Test,” in International Pipeline Conference, Calgary, 2016

This article featured in the May edition of The Australian Pipeliner. Access the digital copy of the magazine here.

Subscribe to The Australian Pipeliner for the latest project and industry news.

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The country aims to phase out coal by 2030, and $46.2 billion is needed to support coal-dependent workers and communities.

Title:

Content: Quitting coal: US, UK lead race; India, China face budgetary hurdles

Coal-dependent countries such as China, India and Bangladesh also need to manage rapidly growing energy demand

Coal-dependent countries around the world face two wickedly interlinked challenges: accelerating the phase out of coal to prevent catastrophic global warming, while sustaining economic prosperity and political support.

As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres recently said, keeping global warming close to 1.5 degrees requires all new coal investments to stop now with coal phased out in OECD economies by 2030 and everywhere else by 2040.

Energy supply and economic impacts of the war in Ukraine have clearly made these tasks even tougher. But the war has also provided a powerful reminder of the huge strategic and environmental risks of fossil fuel addiction.

Explained | COP27: India’s agenda, prospects, $100-B climate financing issue

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Quitting coal need not end in economic crisis, nor energy shortages. Not quitting coal will certainly end in climate and therefore economic disaster. Researchers have systematically reviewed the policies of nations well down the path of transitioning away from coal, providing guidance on what works.

Demand, supply side policies

Governments quitting coal in a rapid, just and orderly manner have commonly employed a proactive, collaborative and well-coordinated mix of demand and supply-side policies. Key demand-side policy levers include carbon pricing mechanisms; reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency. And providing strong financing and infrastructure support for the rapid expansion of renewable energy.

Supply-side policies such as accelerating coal industry closure through removal of subsidies and through direct regulation, taxation and export licensing are also vital. Regulatory actions to overcome the negative impacts of coal on air quality, health and environmental outcomes often play a key role. So too do mission-oriented industry policies driving economic renewal and job creation.

The European Union remains strongly focused on phasing-out coal by 2030. More than USD 92.9 billion has been allocated to strengthen skills and job opportunities in coal-dependent regions. These funds will also help leverage billions of dollars in private sector finance for clean energy infrastructure and technology.

What others are planning

German Chancellor Olaf Schulz recently proposed the German coal phase out date be brought forward to 2030. The German Coal Commission, comprising government, business and union stakeholders has suggested USD 46.2 billion is needed to support coal dependent workers and communities.

Spain has underpinned its ambitious coal phase-out and renewable energy goals with over USD 289 million for Just Transition contracts covering early retirement, re-employment, environmental regeneration and green industry investment and employment goals and strategies.

In Australia, the new Labor government has backed its upgraded greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal with a National Energy Transformation Partnership to coordinate and integrate national and state government energy transition investments.

The government also announced a USD 1.2 billion and Powering the Regions fund to assist traditional and new industries in regional Australia harness the economic opportunities of decarbonisation.

The best transition plan

The economic and job creation potential of a well-managed transition from fossil fuels to renewables is now well demonstrated.

Employment in renewable energy rose to 12.7 million in 2022, an increase of over 700,000 jobs. The International Energy Agency has estimated that more than 30 million jobs could be created in clean energy, efficiency and low-emissions technologies by 2030.

Also read | COP27 in Egypt: Scotland weather, Ukraine war to impact talks, warn experts

Importantly, as ILO Director-General Guy Ryder said, there is a growing focus on the quality of jobs and the conditions of work in renewable energies. The increasing share of female employment suggests that dedicated policies and training can significantly enhance the participation of women in renewable energy occupations and ultimately achieve a just transition for all.

In Germany, collaborative planning and long-term investment in infrastructure; education; environmental technologies; and cultural and service industries has been an essential foundation for economic diversification and job creation in coal dependent regions such as the Ruhr Valley.

In the United States, investment flowing from President Bidens Inflation Reduction Act will create over 550,000 new jobs in industries producing renewable energy. And in Australia, renewable energy think tank Beyond Zero Emissions has demonstrated the potential for low-cost renewable energy to create new export earnings of over AUD$300 billion and over one million new jobs.

The challenge is ensuring those national level economic gains extend to coal-dependent regions where workers and communities are too often left behind.

Workers and communities

Broad public support for replacing coal depends crucially on communities and workers being convinced that governments and business are genuinely committed to the creation of secure high-quality jobs.

The Paris Climate Agreement asks committed countries to take into account the imperatives of a Just Transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities.

Also read: Despite solar push, India’s coal production hits a new milestone of 382 MT

International Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Sharon Burrow reminds us that a just transition will not happen by itself. It requires plans and policies. Transformation is not only about phasing out polluting sectors, it is also about new jobs, new industries, new skills, new investment and the opportunity to create a more equal and resilient economy.

Canada strengthened support for closing all coal-fired power stations by 2030 by working closely with coal dependent communities and provided integrated investment, infrastructure, training and employment packages.

By listening closely to workers, Canada’s 2018 Coal Transition Task Force found deep local knowledge and built local support for its coal exit target.

In Australia, increasing awareness of the inevitability of the closure of coal fired power stations has strengthened support in coal dependent communities like the Latrobe Valley in Victoria and Gladstone in central Queensland for a far more proactive approach to creating new economic futures and opportunities.

Diversification issue

Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy, says local governments all over Australia in coal regions are taking the reins because they are seeing change now. We are seeing mines that have been approved but not funded. Were seeing early closures of power plants.

The biggest question is, how do you diversify those regional economies? Gladstone is a really great example because there are so many opportunities people are starting to explore. It is not just the renewable energy; it is what we could do with that renewable energy.

It is things like green hydrogen, its manufacturing renewable energy parts, its looking at land use differently. And this is what is happening all over Australia.

Understand and respect national and regional differences

Successful strategies for accelerating the just and well managed phase out of coal need to be informed by clear understanding of the diverse economic and social histories of coal dependent countries and regions.

Countries leading the coal exodus such as the US, UK, Germany, Spain and Canada have often had access to relatively cheap alternatives. And they are able to finance new energy infrastructure and support for workers and communities in coal-dependent regions.

Coal-dependent countries such as China, India and Bangladesh also need to manage rapidly growing energy demand. They face budgetary challenges in financing renewable energy and supporting regional communities.

Also read: Time to act faster on climate change: Rishi Sunak at COP27

That is why developed economies have a strong practical as well as ethical case to help fund developing economies to achieve a rapid and orderly transition.

Coal exporting countries including Australia, Colombia and Indonesia also face tough challenges in generating alternative sources of export income. And overcoming the power of vested interests.

There is increasing awareness in these countries, however, of the potential for low-cost renewable energy to underpin new low emissions export industries such as green steel and green hydrogen.

Making it happen

How do nations turn the rhetoric of just transitions into a reality while sustaining economic prosperity and maintaining political support?

By delivering on the following: Strong, proactive and collaborative political leadership; respectfully engaging coal communities and workers; a well coordinated mix of demand and supply-side policies; transition governance authorities enabling local engagement and accountability; adequately funding re-employment and retraining programs, economic renewal and diversification policies building on regional strengths; mobilising investment at the scale required to create high-quality jobs in just and resilient zero-carbon economies.

(With inputs from agencies)

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TenneT needs 15 billion euros to bolster Germany's grid for renewables, and the company plans to invest 100 billion euros in grid infrastructure.

Title:

Content: A state-owned Dutch company, the biggest electricity grid operator in Germany, said on Thursday that talks to sell its German business to the Berlin government have ended.

TenneT, one of four transmission network operators in Germany, announced plans for the talks back in February 2023, saying at the time it needed a "structural solution" to funding needs for its German business as the grid is bolstered to handle the transition to renewable energy, which it put at about 15 billion euros ($16.1billion).

The transmission lines are vital for Germany's plans to completely shift its power production from fossil fuels to renewable energy by 2045 at the latest. At present, some of the electricity generated by wind farms in northern Germany can't be dispatched to the south due to lack of transmission capacity.

The German government has now informed the Netherlands that "it cannot deliver on the planned transaction due to budgetary challenges," TenneT said in a statement Thursday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition is currently rowing about how to put together a 2025 budget while adhering to Germany's tight self-imposed rules on running up debt.

This has already forced a hasty, court-mandated rehash of the 2024 budget, complete with subsidy cuts that prompted protests by farmers. TenneT, which also runs the electricity grid in the Netherlands, spoke of "tapping into public or private capital markets for a structural funding solution for its German operations."

They further added that the German government "is committed to support such alternative solutions."

Title:

Content: TenneT lines up 8 bln-euro credit ahead of German operations sale

AMSTERDAM, June 14 (Reuters) - Electric grid operator TenneT Holding (IPO-TTH.AS) said on Wednesday it has signed an 8 billion euro ($8.63 billion) credit facility to support its spending plans as it awaits a deal to sell its German operations to the German state.

TenneT, owned by the Dutch state, expects to invest more than 100 billion euros in the coming decade to build out infrastructure in Germany, the Netherlands and in the North Sea to support the growing use of renewable energy.

Governments of the two countries have said they hope to agree a deal on the sale of TenneT Germany this summer and close a deal by the end of 2023, though talks have been going slowly.

TenneT, which had a debt-heavy balance sheet of 38.5 billion euros at the end of 2022, in March estimated equity needs at its German arm of 15 billion euros and of 10 billion euros at its Dutch arm.

The company said on Wednesday a "deal would enable the creation of two strong national players, controlled and funded by their respective governments."

TenneT said the 2.5-year facility is provided by BNP Paribas, ABN AMRO, BNG, Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, ING, Rabobank, Santander, SMBC Nikko, and UniCredit.

($1 = 0.9271 euros)

($1 = 0.9268 euros)

Reporting by Toby Sterling, Editing by Louise Heavens and Sharon Singleton

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Germany's renewable energy output rose by 10% in the past year, with wind energy driving 50% of overall production, totaling 57bn KWh.

Title:

Content: UBA: renewable energy in Germany up 10%

By Olivia Minnock
According to a recent report by UBA (Umweltbundesamt, the country’s federal environment agency), renewable energy output in Germa...

According to a recent report by UBA (Umweltbundesamt, the country’s federal environment agency), renewable energy output in Germany has risen by 10% in the past year.

Renewable energy installations, such as solar, wind and biomass facilities, contributed 117bn KWh to Germany’s national grid in the first half of 2018.

UBA reported that wind energy was a key driver of growth, with wind installations contributing to about 50% of overall production, totalling 57bn KWh.

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Read the latest issue of Energy Digital magazine

Meanwhile, photovoltaics contributed toward 24bn KWh with the rest being made up of biomass and biogenous waste, as well as hydropower.

The figures also outlined that during H1 2018, 1633MW of onshore wind turbines were installed in the country, as well as 1359MW of PV installations.

The agency stated: “In total, all forms of renewable generation exceeded their previous year’s values.”

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Honest debates about fossil fuels in the energy transition

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Content: German technological excellence: an exemplary experience for the development of technology in Iraq
Lokman Abdul Rahim Al-Fili
2023-12-01T12: 16: 57 + 00: 00
From automotive engineering to renewable energy, Germany ’ s contributions to global technological progress have been significant, and as Iraq seeks to rebuild and develop its infrastructure and economy, there is much to be gained from understanding and cooperation with Germany in the field of technology.
The country has a strong tradition of scientific research and education, with many world-class universities and research institutions, and continues to play a pivotal role in the development of knowledge and innovation in various scientific disciplines.
Solid foundation:
The progress and development of German technology can be attributed to several key foundations including:
A strong education system
A culture of precision and innovation
* Significant investment in research and development
Strong protection of intellectual property
* Strong focus on adapting to changing technology
* Cooperation between universities and research and industrial institutions
Government support for initiatives
Active collaboration with international partners in research and technology exchange projects
The Innovation Ecosystem
Finally, a strong industrial base and infrastructure covering various sectors, including automobiles, machinery, chemicals and electronics.
In short, Germany ’ s technological progress is based on a solid foundation of education, innovation, research and development, strong industrial sectors, and a culture of precision and quality. These elements, together with a supportive ecosystem and government policies, have allowed Germany to continuously excel in various technological fields and maintain its position as a world leader in innovation and technology.
Germany is proud to have many technology centers, innovation centers, and suitable and growing conditions for startups. These centers provide valuable opportunities for Iraqi entrepreneurs in the field of technology to benefit from German expertise and access investment opportunities. Here are some of the main sites and aspects of the technology scene and startups in Germany:
Berlin, Startup Capital: The heart of Germany ’ s startup ecosystem, known for its diverse and vibrant tech scene.
Munich: Munich ’ s technological work environment is closely linked to its strong industrial base, with a focus on industries such as automotive and aerospace.
Frankfurt: Frankfurt is a hub for fintech startups due to its reputation as a financial hub in Europe.
Hamburg: Hamburg ’ s startup ecosystem focuses on media, advertising and creative industries.
Stuttgart: Home to major automotive companies such as Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, Stuttgart offers opportunities for start-ups specializing in automotive technology and mobility solutions.
Five areas of interest to us as Iraqis:
The specific areas in which Iraq can benefit from German technological expertise can be summarized as follows:
1- Renewable energy and infrastructure development:
Iraq has an abundance of sunlight throughout the year, making it an ideal candidate for solar power generation, and Germany ’ s experience in harnessing solar energy could support Iraq ’ s drive to develop solar farms and photovoltaic systems.
Second: Wind energy: Iraq ’ s regions, such as the Western Desert and the northern mountainous regions, have great potential in the field of wind energy.
Cooperation with German wind turbine manufacturers and expertise in wind energy management could facilitate sustainable power generation in Iraq.
Germany has invested in advanced grid management systems to efficiently integrate renewable energy sources, and this expertise could help Iraq modernize its electrical grid to improve stability and reliability.
German engineering capabilities can support infrastructure development projects in Iraq, ranging from transport networks to smart city initiatives, and German companies specializing in construction, civil engineering and urban planning can provide valuable insights through which Iraq can emulate the German experience.
2. Vehicles and transportation:
The progress made by Germany in electric vehicle technology could encourage Iraq to shift its transport sector towards cleaner and more sustainable options, rather than using burned fuel, and Iraqi cities could benefit from initiatives that promote electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Efficient public transport systems in Germany, including high-speed trains and well-planned urban transport, can serve as a model for Iraq ’ s efforts to boost mobility, reduce traffic congestion in major cities, move between provinces, and create a network of railways covering the whole of Iraq.
3. Vocational and technical education:
The famous dual education system in Germany combines practical training with classroom instruction, producing a highly skilled workforce and enriching Iraq ’ s human capital.
Iraq can adapt its educational and training curricula by leveraging this system to bridge the skills gap and prepare its youth for careers in technology and engineering.
4. Environmental sustainability:
German expertise in waste management, including recycling and waste-to-energy technologies, can help Iraq address the challenges of waste management and its negative impact on the environment and public health.
Iraq can learn from Germany ’ s strict environmental regulations and sustainable policies, align its development efforts with long-term environmental sustainability and enact relevant legislation.
By capitalizing on Germany ’ s technological progress and adapting it to Iraq ’ s unique needs and challenges, both countries can boost economic growth, create jobs, improve infrastructure, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
5 - Startup and Entrepreneurship Authority:
Iraq can provide incentives that contribute to the acceleration of business similar to the successful German experience, and certainly this will contribute to the provision of support, guidance, resources and funding opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs, and includes in this paragraph the following advantages:
I. Incubators and accelerators: Iraq can establish business incubators and accelerators similar to their successful German counterparts.
These platforms provide mentorship, resources and funding opportunities for budding entrepreneurs.
Collaborative efforts can help Iraqi startups reach the European market through German networks, potentially opening doors for international investors and customers.
Cooperation and funding opportunities for Iraqi technology entrepreneurs could include:
I. Knowledge Transfer: Iraqi technology entrepreneurs can benefit from knowledge transfer by collaborating with German startups and professionals.
This can include joint ventures, partnerships or participation in acceleration programs, which will certainly contribute to eliminating traditional means of production, reducing costs and increasing benefits for all.
German investors, including venture capitalists, are interested in innovative technology solutions, and Iraqi entrepreneurs can look for investment opportunities by showcasing their ideas to these investors or participating in events and competitions.
Research and development: Cooperation between Iraqi universities, research and academic institutions and research centers with their German counterparts can provide access to advanced research and development resources, and this cooperation will be reflected in the benefit of the desired technological progress in Iraq.
It is important for Iraqi entrepreneurs to interact with local support organizations, business offices and business networks to navigate the German startup ecosystem effectively. Understanding German regulations, intellectual property rights and cultural nuances is crucial when entering the German market. Growth and cooperation.
Conclusion:
Germany ’ s commitment to engineering excellence and innovation in green technologies is in line with its goal of promoting sustainability and reducing its environmental footprint, and these developments have global implications, providing valuable insights and solutions to other countries, including Iraq, which seeks to adopt cleaner and more efficient energy technologies for a sustainable future.
As Iraq seeks to rebuild and progress, Germany ’ s technological superiority is a source of inspiration and a valuable partner in development. From improving transport infrastructure to embracing renewable energy and fostering innovation, there is much that Iraq can learn from the German experience. Brighter, more technologically advanced, and together, the two countries can harness the power of technology to drive progress, sustainability, and prosperity for their people.
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Germany aims to generate 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and the government is investing in hydrogen infrastructure construction and technology research.

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Content: People 's Network > > International
Overview ｜ Hannover Messe focuses on energy transition
April 26, 2024 09: 53 | Source: Xinhua Network
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Xinhua News Agency, HANNOVER, Germany, April 25, Roundup ｜ Hannover Messe focuses on energy transition
Xinhua News Agency reporter Du Zheyu and Chu Yi
The 2024 Hannover Messe will be held from April 22 to 26.
The theme of this year's exhibition is "Injecting vitality for sustainable industrial development", and energy transformation has become the focus of attention of all parties.
German Chancellor Gerhard Scholz said during the exhibition that the key to Germany ’ s energy transition is to produce more electricity in a climate-friendly manner and at affordable prices, and strive to generate 80% of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2030.
Norway is the host country for this year ’ s event.
Norway has abundant hydropower resources, which provide favorable conditions for the production of green hydrogen.
Norwegian Prime Minister Steele said at the opening ceremony that Norwegian exhibitors will showcase green transformation solutions such as green hydrogen and carbon capture systems.
Jochen Koehler, chairman of the board of directors of Deutsche Messe AG, the organizer of the exhibition, said in an interview with Xinhua reporters during the exhibition that climate change threatens every country and is a common challenge facing all mankind.
Like China, Germany is committed to reducing CO2 emissions and accelerating the energy transition.
For the key to the energy transition, Kokler said, "to achieve the transition from fossil energy to green energy, first of all, need to ensure sufficient (green) energy, and secondly, the price must be competitive, so as to maintain the stability of the transition."
In response to this problem, this Hannover Messe offers many solutions. "Cochler also stressed the importance of international cooperation for the energy transition.
He said that the energy transition knows no borders and requires the cooperation of all countries in order to achieve it.
In an interview held during the exhibition, Johannes Daum, director of the hydrogen, alternative fuels and fuel cells division of the German National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Organization (NOW), said that the German government attaches importance to hydrogen infrastructure construction and technology research investment, as early as 2006 began to fund hydrogen fuel cell technology, and launched the second phase of funding and related innovation program in 2016.
Germany currently has more than 90 hydrogen refueling stations and hundreds of hydrogen buses have been subsidized.
Doom also pointed out that in order to achieve climate change goals and energy transition, hydrogen energy alone is not enough, and requires a multi-pronged approach to develop more technological solutions to achieve breakthroughs.
In an interview with Xinhua, Cedric Neck, member of the management committee of Siemens AG and chief executive of the digital industry, said that to achieve the energy transition, gradual adjustment is not enough, and profound changes must be made.
This requires, first, strengthening innovation to drive transformation faster and more effectively; secondly, strengthening cooperation to “learn from each other, bundle the strengths and capabilities of all parties, and build a partner ecosystem with many excellent players, many ideas and many different application cases ”; moreover, the transition to a more sustainable way of development is closely related to digital transformation, and the application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence in the industrial field is full of potential and broad prospects.
Founded in 1947, Hannover Fair has become one of the most influential industrial exhibitions in the world.
The exhibition attracted nearly 4,000 exhibitors from about 60 countries and regions, including more than 500 exhibitors from the hydrogen and fuel cell sector to showcase energy solutions.
(Editor: Liu Jieyan, Cui Yue)
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Energy storage using large batteries supports grid infrastructure, and IoT and Cloud Computing enable the integration of renewable energy.

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Content: Europe Energy as a Service Market - Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2018-2028F

Europe Energy as a Service Market By Service Type (Power Generation Services, Energy Efficiency & Optimization Services, Operational & Maintenance Services), By End User (Commercial, Industrial) By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2018-2028F.

Lyon, FRANCE

New York, June 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Europe Energy as a Service Market - Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2018-2028F" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06467785/?utm_source=GNW

Europe Energy as a Service market is anticipated to register an impressive CAGR during the forecast period.
In the power sector, a service business model based on energy (commonly called energy as a service) provides energy services, such as lighting, to customers for a recurring fee.Customers can benefit from using their devices while parallelly benefiting from paying direct electricity bills, avoiding expensive appliance and software upgrades or device services.

Similar to service models in other sectors, EaaS makes better technology (such as energy devices and software) more accessible, potentially benefiting consumers, service companies, the power grid, and society at large.Although the term Energy-as-a-Service has historically been used primarily to describe business models related to energy efficiency, it also covers other business models used in the energy sector that are unrelated to energy efficiency, such as Solar Energy Subscriptions.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy will account for more than half of the world’s electricity generation by 2050.Global energy consumption is expected to increase as the world’s population and urbanization rate increase.

EaaS has historically created value not just for customers but for society as well.
Market Drivers
Extensive research into renewables is lowering the cost of installing climate-neutral systems.Photovoltaic, wind, and marine energy sources are becoming reliable sources, and their energy share is gaining significant importance.

The combination of large batteries allows energy to be stored during lower demand periods and released during peak demand.
The Internet of Things and Cloud Computing are some of the innovations that make it possible to integrate renewable and traditional energy, collect and measure large amounts of data, and automate complicated supply processes.With numerous data sets, IoT for surveillance, and continuous logging, the energy sector can only achieve efficiencies by embracing digitization.

Regulating energy consumption using demand response algorithms or subscription models for EV chargers are all stepping stones into the world of energy as a service, thus propelling the market to grow during the forecast period.
The adoption of microgrid technology in various industries is boosting market growth due to its ability to generate electricity using solar and wind energy.Increasing adoption of distributed energy resources (DER) in emerging markets is also a major driver of market growth due to their energy efficiency and cost efficiency.

In addition, DER reduces emissions intensity and power system expansion costs, improves reliability, and supports revenue growth. Additionally, there are significant applications in rooftop solar power systems, biomass generators, electric vehicles, and microturbines, which are expected to drive the market.
Latest Developments in Europe Energy as a Service Market
DIF Capital Partners (“DIF”), the world’s leading independent infrastructure investment fund manager, through its fund DIF Infrastructure VI, acquired Bernhard, LLC (“Bernhard”), the largest privately owned Energy-as-a-Service ) (“EaaS”) is a US solutions company, a subsidiary of Bernhard Capital Partners in the year 2021.
ENGIE signed a 3-year agreement with GOOGLE for a 24*7 carbon-free energy supply agreement in Germany.This 3-year deal is a part of Google’s 2030 Carbon-Free Energy initiative for its data centers, cloud regions, and offices all over the globe.

This will ensure that Google’s German operations are nearly 80% carbon-free by 2030.
Lack of Skilled Labors & Investment Restraining the Market Growth
Replacing conventional energy sources with renewable energy sources requires huge investments to install smart grids and devices, which may hinder market growth.Moreover, the installation of such smart grids requires appropriate skills and knowledge.

Lack of skilled labor is also one of the major factors restraining the growth of the market.In addition, the transportation of raw materials required to manufacture electronic components has caused supply chain disruptions due to strict government regulations.

Additionally, many industrial and commercial sectors have closed, leading to a collapse in energy demand.

Market Segmentation
Europe Energy as a Service market is segmented into service type and end user.Based on Service Type, the market is bifurcated into Power Generation Services, Energy Efficiency & Optimization Services, and Operational & Maintenance Services.

On the basis of End Users, the market is bifurcated into Commercial and Industrial.
Market Players
Major market players in the Europe Energy as a Service market are Schneider Electric SE, Engie SA, Siemens AG, Veolia Environment SA, Enel X, Alpiq AG, Enertika Ltd., Orsted AS, Blackstone Energy Services Inc., Carbon Lighthouse Inc.

Report Scope:

In this report, Europe Energy as a Service Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:
• Europe Energy as a Service Market, By Service Type:
o Power Generation Services
o Energy Efficiency & Optimization Services
o Operational & Maintenance Services
• Europe Energy as a Service Market, By End User:
o Commercial
o Industrial
• Europe Energy as a Service Market, By Region:
o United Kingdom
o France
o Germany
o Italy
o Spain
o Russia
o Finland
o Ireland
o Sweden
o Netherlands

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Europe Energy as a Service market.

Available Customizations:

Europe Energy as a Service With the given market data, Tech Sci Research offers customizations according to a company’s specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players.
Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06467785/?utm_source=GNW

About Reportlinker
ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.

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Overall, Germany's move away from nuclear energy is driving significant investments in renewable energy and grid infrastructure, with the goal of achieving a stable and low-carbon energy supply.

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Content: Advertisment

Netherlands Explores Accelerated Sale of TenneT's German Grid Amid Prolonged Berlin Talks

The Netherlands contemplates new avenues for TenneT's German grid sale, highlighting the strategic importance amidst renewable energy transition.

Justice Nwafor
New Update

The Dutch government is actively seeking alternative strategies to expedite the sale of TenneT's German electricity grid operations, as ongoing discussions with the German government encounter extended delays. The state of the Netherlands, which wholly owns TenneT, is contemplating different avenues, including privatization, against the backdrop of TenneT's significant role in Germany, where it operates two-thirds of its business. This move comes amidst both nations' acknowledgment that transferring ownership to Germany aligns with the broader transition towards renewable energy sources.

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Background and Impasse

At the heart of this development is TenneT, a major utility player with a pivotal role in Europe's energy landscape. The Dutch-owned company oversees a considerable portion of Germany's power grid, making it a key asset in the continent's shift towards sustainable energy. Despite mutual agreement on the benefits of a sale to the German government, prolonged negotiations have prompted the Netherlands to consider alternative options. This strategic reevaluation aims to ensure the utility's ambitious plans to invest over 100 billion euros in infrastructure enhancements over the next decade remain on track.

Exploring Alternatives

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The Dutch finance minister has indicated that while a sale to the German government remains the preferred outcome, the delays have necessitated a broader consideration of potential buyers. This openness to privatization reflects a pragmatic approach to overcoming the current stalemate, ensuring TenneT's critical investment plans are not jeopardized. The contemplated sale, significant in the context of Europe's energy market, underscores the strategic importance of TenneT's operations in Germany and the necessity for a swift resolution to the ongoing discussions.

Implications for the Energy Transition

The outcome of these deliberations holds substantial implications for the energy sector, particularly in the realm of renewable energy expansion. The successful transfer of TenneT's German operations, whether to the German government or a private entity, is pivotal for the acceleration of infrastructure projects critical to the continent's green transition. This scenario highlights the intricate balance between national interests, corporate strategy, and environmental goals in shaping Europe's energy future.

As negotiations continue, the broader energy community watches closely, recognizing the potential ripple effects of this sale on the energy transition's momentum. The Dutch government's proactive search for alternatives not only underscores the urgency of TenneT's investment plan but also reflects the complexities of cross-border utility ownership in an era of ambitious environmental targets. This development invites reflection on the roles of government and private sector in facilitating a sustainable energy future, emphasizing the need for strategic agility and collaboration.

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