Germany

Germany is the main energy transit country in Europe. It is connected to all of its neighbouring countries via transnational networks. It even shares a common electricity market with its western neighbours. Furthermore, the European internal energy market establishes common rules for all member states. A European perspective on Germany’s Energiewende is thus imperative.

The European energy market has many advantages for Germany’s Energiewende. Compared to a purely national market, a networked power system beyond national boundaries not only saves money. European integration also improves system reliability and helps balance the fluctuating supply of electricity from wind and sun.

Project management

Dr. Corinna Fischer

Project Lead Heat Transition in Buildings

+49 159 0435 4740

Bruno Naredo

Student Assistant Climate-Neutral Industry

+49 159 0435 4699

Mira Wenzel

Project Lead Energy Transition in the Power Sector

+49 (0)159 0435 4727

Fabian Huneke

Project Lead Energy Transition in the Power Sector

+49 1590 435 47 16

Simon Müller

Director Germany

+49 30 700 1435-116

Partner

SYSTEMIQ

www.systemiq.earth

Hamburg University of Technology – Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics (IUE)

https://www.tuhh.de/iue/home

Competence Centre on Climate Change Mitigation in Energy-Intensive Industries (KEI)

https://www.klimaschutz-industrie.de/en/

Stiftung KlimaWirtschaft

https://klimawirtschaft.org/english

Forum New Economy

https://newforum.org/

Prof. Tom Krebs, Ph.D. (University of Mannheim)

FutureCamp Climate GmbH

www.future-camp.de

TEP Energy GmbH

www.tep-energy.ch

Rechtsanwälte Günther

ETH Zürich

https://epse.ethz.ch/

Carbon Minds

https://www.carbon-minds.com/

Fraunhofer-Einrichtung für Energie- infrastrukturen und Geothermie (Fraunhofer IEG)

https://www.ieg.fraunhofer.de/

umlaut

https://www.umlaut.com/

Projects

12 Insights on Hydrogen
A policymaker's guide to navigating the hydrogen wave towards sustainable applications and supply
- Topic:
- Hydrogen
- Agora Industry
- Key Questions
- Grids
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Coal Phase-Out in Germany: The Multi-Stakeholder Commission as a Policy Tool
With this analysis, we aim to shed light on how the complex socio-economic challenge of phasing out coal can be met through a multi-stakeholder commission that can facilitate political [...]
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany
The energy transition in the face of the fossil fuel crisis
How can the fossil fuel crisis be managed without slowing down the energy transition?
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Agora Industry
- Electricity Production
- Market Design
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Heat pumps are the key to climate neutrality in buildings - Insights from Germany
An accelerated deployment of heat pumps not only plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change in the buildings sector but also enhances Germany's energy security. Moreover, it offers [...]
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Climate Protection
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany
Power-2-Heat: Climate-neutral industrial process heat
About one-quarter of natural gas consumption in Germany is used for the supply of energy in industry, primarily for the production of heat. The switch from natural gas to electricity-based [...]
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Flexibility
- Agora Industry
- Region :
  - Germany
Climate Positive Chemistry
On the path to climate neutrality, the transition of the chemical industry offers the potential to develop climate-positive value chains.
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Agora Industry
- Market Design
- Region :
  - Germany
Coal Phase Out in Germany: The Role of Coal Exit Auctions
The German governing parties of the 20th legislative period (2021–2025) agreed to phase out coal “ideally by 2030”. A gradual phase out of lignite and hard coal is already planned and enshrined [...]
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany
PtX Hub
Developing sustainable Power-to-X markets in renewable-rich regions as a building block for the transition towards climate neutrality.
- Topic:
- Data and Tools
- Agora Industry
- Hydrogen
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union, International
Trans4Real
Enabling knowledge transfer from German “living labs” to better inform the energy transition of sectoral coupling and hydrogen.
- Topic:
- Agora Industry
- Hydrogen
- Region :
  - Germany, International
A social consensus on the transformation of the building sector towards climate neutrality
The development of a mix of instruments for the socially responsible decarbonization of the building sector.
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Climate Protection
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany
The German Energy Transition in the Year of Corona
Analysis of the German State of Affairs in 2020
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Climate Protection
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany
Policy instruments for supporting renewable hydrogen
Policy support for those applications that really need renewable hydrogen to become climate-neutral.
- Topic:
- Hydrogen
- Key Questions
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Climate neutral Germany 2045
Analysis and elaboration of strategies on how to achieve climate neutrality in Germany by 2045 in the context of higher EU 2030 climate ambition.
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Carbon Contracts for the industrial transformation
This project develops carbon contracts to accelerate the industrial transformation and create fundaments for its long-term climate neutrality and competitiveness.
- Topic:
- Data and Tools
- Agora Industry
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany
Climate neutral Germany 2050
Analysis and elaboration of strategies on how to achieve climate neutrality in Germany by 2050 in the context of higher EU 2030 climate ambition.
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Dual-Benefit Stimulus for Germany
A Proposal for a Targeted 100 Billion Euro Growth and Investment Initiative
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
The green electricity gap, its electricity market effects and how it can be filled
Options to still achieve the 65 percent renewables target in 2030
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Climate Protection
- Market Design
- Region :
  - Germany
The Energy Transition in the Power Sector: State of Affairs 2019
Analysis of the German Power Sector in 2019
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany
How to solve the investor-user-dilemma on the German rental housing market
This project outlines how climate protection and rental protection can be reconciled.
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Modernising Europe’s lignite triangle
This project analysis the implications of a coordinated phase-out from lignite in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic by 2032.
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany, Poland and Czech Republic
Climate Act 2030
Overarching and sector specific instruments to allow reaching the climate targets 2030
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Decarbonisation of Heat Grids
Developing a regulatory framework for decarbonizing heat grids
- Topic:
- Grids
- Climate Protection
- Efficiency
- Region :
  - Germany
Liberalising Electricity Markets in Germany
History, development, and current status of Germany‘s Electricity markets
- Topic:
- Grids
- Flexibility
- Electricity Production
- Market Design
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany, China
Offshore Wind Potential
How many full-load hours can offshore wind reach assuming a huge expansion in the German North Sea until 2050?
- Topic:
- Hydrogen
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
The Energy Transition in the Power Sector: State of Affairs 2018
Analysis of the German Power Sector in 2018
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany
DeGeb - Decarbonizing building heating systems
Developing a regulatory framework for decarbonization in the building heat sector
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Efficiency
- Region :
  - Germany
Electricity sector 2030: 65 percent renewables and a stepwise coal phase-out
The Effects of Coal Exit and Accelerated Renewable Energy Expansion on Electricity Prices and Trading in 2030
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany, China
Sustainable Industry
Working with the industry to ensure the development and commercialisation of key decarbonisation technologies
- Topic:
- Agora Industry
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany
Electric Vehicles and Power Grids – Grid Expansion Costs and Smart Charging
The Cost of Integrating Electric Vehicles in Power Distribution Grids
- Topic:
- Grids
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany
Grids for Renewables
Action Plan for Ensuring Germany’s Power Grid Can Accommodate a 65% Renewables Share by 2030
- Topic:
- Grids
- Flexibility
- Electricity Production
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
2017 Annual Review
The most important developments in the German energy transition in 2017, presented by Agora Energiewende
- Topic:
- Electricity Production
- Climate Protection
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Flexibility in Thermal Power Plants
Techno-economic analysis on possible flexibility measures for thermal power plants – with a focus on existing coal power plants
- Topic:
- Flexibility
- Climate Protection
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - International, Germany, Poland and Czech Republic, China
A French-German energy transition alliance in Europe
Action plans for France and Germany to make decisive contributions to the Energy Union in the power, transport and heating & cooling sectors
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Acceptability
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union, France
Die Akzeptanz der Windenergie sichern
Strategien zur Sicherung der Akzeptanz der Energiewende im Allgemeinen und der Windenergie an Land im Besonderen
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Climate Protection
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Structural Change in Germany’s Coal Country
Ideas to help regions most heavily affected by the clean-energy transition
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Key Questions
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany
Heat decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and sector integration
Efficiency First – Ermittlung des Wertes der Energieeffizienz im Gebäudesektor in Zeiten der Sektorkopplung
- Topic:
- Grids
- Efficiency
- Climate Protection
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
The Future Cost of Electricity-Based Synthetic Fuels
To what extent can electricity-based fuels contribute to the decarbonisation of the heating sector?
- Topic:
- Hydrogen
- Key Questions
- Data and Tools
- Region :
  - Germany, China
2016 Annual Review
The status of the Energiewende in 2016. Based on public data and compiled by Agora Energiewende.
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Climate Protection
- Region :
  - Germany
Innovative Grid Toolbox
Innovative toolbox for grid integration of renewable energy sources
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Grids
- Flexibility
- Regulation and Transparency
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Power system scenarios for 2050: A cost comparison
Comparing the costs and CO2 emissions of renewable and fossil fuel scenarios for 2050
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Future Cost of Onshore Wind
Analysis of the current and future cost of wind, as well as an outlook on the first German auction
- Topic:
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - International, Germany, European Union
Dialogue on Industrial Policy and the Energiewende
Smart industrial policy to support the adoption of renewables: A dialog with leading industrial companies
- Topic:
- Agora Industry
- Acceptability
- Climate Protection
- Key Questions
- Flexibility
- Region :
  - Germany
French and German power systems transitions - towards 2030
How renewables development impact conventional generation in France and Germany by 2030? What are cross-border implications?
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Flexibility
- Region :
  - Germany, France
Design and Roadmap for Smart Markets
Concepts of smart market design for managing congestions in the German grid
- Topic:
- Market Design
- Grids
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany
The German Lignite Industry
Structural features, basic data and interdependencies in the lignite industry
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Flexibility
- Electricity Production
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Decentralization
The energy system of the future will rely on decentralized generation, experts say. But how?
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Electricity Production
- Grids
- Region :
  - Germany
The Sectorally Integrated Energy Transition
Minimum levels for the use of key technologies by 2030 and recommendations for critical decisions
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany, China
Die zukünftige Rolle der Kohleverstromung (Publikationsübersicht)
Hier finden Sie eine Übersicht unserer bisher erschienenen Publikationen zum Thema Kohle.
- Topic:
- Region :
  - Germany
Understanding the Energiewende
In this project we adress some of the most frequently asked questions on the ongoing transformation of the German power system, delivering fact-based information.
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Japan, International, Germany
Green-Energy Levies and Surcharges
Reforming green-energy levies and surcharges to improve the incentives created by electricity prices
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Flexibility
- Region :
  - Germany
Flex-Efficiency
Flex-Efficiency – A Concept for Integrating Flexibility and Efficiency in the Industry Sector
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Flexibility
- Market Design
- Region :
  - Germany
Entwicklung der EEG-Kosten bis 2035
Eine Kurzstudie und der EEG-Rechner zeigen, welche Faktoren die EEG-Umlage in den kommenden beiden Jahrzehnten beeinflussen können
- Topic:
- Data and Tools
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
The Outlook for the Cost of Solar Power until 2050
A conservative estimate of the long-term potential for cost-reduction in photovoltaics
- Topic:
- Electricity Production
- Data and Tools
- Region :
  - Germany, Central Western Europe, International
Energiewende 2030: The Big Picture
Megatrends, goals, strategies and a 10-point agenda for the second phase of the energy transition
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Electricity Production
- Efficiency
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Solar Eclipse 2015: Outlook for the Power System 2030
Analysis of the demand for flexibility during the solar eclipse in 2015 and for the power system in 2030
- Topic:
- Flexibility
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union, Central Western Europe
Annual review 2014
An evaluation of the most important developments on the power market and in renewable energies
- Topic:
- Data and Tools
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Consensus on Coal
A consensus-oriented proposal for an ordered retreat from the climate-damaging use of lignite and hard coal in power production by 2040
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany, China
Integration Costs of Wind and Solar Photovoltaics
Structuring the debate around the costs of integrating wind and solar photovoltaics into power systems
- Topic:
- Electricity Production
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - European Union, France, Germany, Japan
Transparency in the Energy Economy
Proposals for improving transparency in the energy market
- Topic:
- Regulation and Transparency
- Grids
- Region :
  - Germany
New Ways of Selling Green Power
Discussion of models for selling green power directly to end users, based on the 2014 Renewable Energy Act
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Market Design
- Region :
  - Germany
Perspectives for Combined Heat and Power Generation
The project explores the role of combined heat and power in view of the Energiewende
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany
A Load Management Action Plan for Germany
Proposals to eliminate barriers in market and regulation design, aimed at simplifying load management
- Topic:
- Agora Industry
- Flexibility
- Region :
  - Germany
Report on the German power system
The paper provides an overview of the German Power System
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Data and Tools
- Region :
  - Germany
Comparing Capacity Market Designs in France and (potentially) Germany
Analysis of the power market design discussion and adequacy challenges in France and Germany
- Topic:
- Market Design
- Region :
  - Germany, France, European Union, Central Western Europe
German-Nordic Integration: Economic and Climate Effects
Analysis of the positive effects and costs of a stronger integration of the Nordic and German power systems
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Grids
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
The Need for Capacity Mechanisms and Options for their Design
Agora Energiewende offers a platform for the public discussion of a capacity mechanism
- Topic:
- Market Design
- Region :
  - Germany
The European Power System in 2030: Challenges and Benefits
Analysis of the flexibility demands of the European power system in 2030
- Topic:
- Flexibility
- Electricity Production
- Market Design
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - European Union, France, China, Germany, Central Western Europe
The Future of Coal Power
The project examines the possible role of coal as a transitional energy source in the age of climate chang
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Electricity Production
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Comparing Electricity Prices for Industry
Analysis of power market prices and industry power prices
- Topic:
- Agora Industry
- Data and Tools
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union, Central Western Europe
Energy Efficiency as a Business Model
Implementing and financing energy efficiency policies as a way of establishing energy efficiency as a business model
- Topic:
- Agora Industry
- Efficiency
- Region :
  - Germany
The German Energiewende and its Climate Paradox
Analysis of the reasons for rising C02 emissions in Germany
- Topic:
- Climate Protection
- Electricity Production
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany, European Union
Power Grid Charges Need Reforming
While electricity consumers are paying ever more for use of the power grid, fees are stagnating in urban areas. That raises questions of social and distributional equality.
- Topic:
- Grids
- Regulation and Transparency
- Flexibility
- Region :
  - Germany
Climate Friendly Power: Which Option is the Cheapest?
Power from wind, solar, nuclear or CCS: What is the cheapest option?
- Topic:
- Electricity Production
- Data and Tools
- Region :
  - Germany
A Dynamic EEG Surcharge
How the renewable energy surcharge could differ by time, related to the day-ahead wholesale market prices.
- Topic:
- Flexibility
- Market Design
- Region :
  - Germany
The Effects of Regionally Distributed and East/West-Facing Solar Arrays
An assessment of the systemic and economic effects of various scenarios for expanding solar power
- Topic:
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany
The 2014 reform of the Renewable Energy Act (“EEG 2.0”)
In October 2013, Agora Energiewende proposed radically simplifying the Renewable Energy Act in an initial step in 2014 (“EEG 2.0”)The 2014 reform of the Renewable Energy Act (“EEG 2.0”)
- Topic:
- Electricity Production
- Market Design
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Storage in the Energiewende
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
The Role of Power-to-Heat in Renewable Energy Integration
Proposed action based on an analysis of the potential and the energy economic effects of power-to-heat technology
- Topic:
- Flexibility
- Electricity Production
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Power Distribution Networks for the Future
In a stakeholder dialogue, key future challenges for distribution networks have been evaluated
- Topic:
- Grids
- Region :
  - Germany
Methods for Power Network Development
Methods for network planning in order to take the politically necessary steps toward a rapid and widely accepted network expansion
- Topic:
- Acceptability
- Grids
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany
The Future of the Renewable Energy Law (EEG 3.0)
How should the Renewable Energy Act be further developed?
- Topic:
- Electricity Production
- Market Design
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
Concession Fees and the Energiewende
Proposal for a new concession levy to comply with the efficiency requirements of the Energiewende
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Regulation and Transparency
- Region :
  - Germany
Positive Effects of Energy Efficiency
A quantification of costs saved through energy efficiency as a result of averted investments in production and network capacities
- Topic:
- Efficiency
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
The Contribution of Load Management to Security of Supply
Advantages of and incentives for steering power demand to help ensure security of supply in southern Germany
- Topic:
- Agora Industry
- Flexibility
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - Germany
12 Insights on Germany's Energiewende
Our first insight is: Germany's Energiewende is all about wind and solar! That is the basis for whole the system.
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - International, Germany
Optimising the expansion of renewable energies
A comparison of costs of different possible ways of expanding wind and solar energy in Germany until 2033.
- Topic:
- Key Questions
- Electricity Production
- Region :
  - Germany
The basics of the Energy Transition
Each volume of this publication series "A Word On..." deals with a fundamental question on the energy transition.
- Topic:
- Learning
- Key Questions
- Region :
  - International, Germany, China

Latest News

- 14
- Jul
- 2023
Electrification, recycling, and renewable feedstocks – three pillars for a climate-neutral chemical industry
The energy crisis and the more stringent EU carbon market rules require that chemical companies quickly phase out fossil fuels and reduce their emissions. This can be achieved through a combination of better product recycling, a switch to electricity-based process heat and the use of renewable instead of fossil feedstocks.
- 31
- May
- 2023
How Argentina can become a renewable hydrogen hub and boost global decarbonisation
With its vast untapped renewable energy potential, Argentina is well-positioned to become a major global producer of renewable hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) products. A new paper by Agora Industry and Agora Energiewende together with Fundación Torcuato di Tella outlines how boosting hydrogen production can help decarbonise Argentina’s industry, create important socio-economic benefits and contribute to global climate efforts.
- 16
- Nov
- 2022
German industrial heat transition can deliver three quarters of the sector’s required gas savings under REPowerEU
Using heat pumps and electric boilers instead of gas in its low-temperature process heat, German industry can achieve gas savings worth 90-terawatt hours and avoid 12.5 million metric tons of C02 by 2030. The transition comes for a fraction of what the German government plans to spend on protecting industry from high gas prices.
- 29
- Aug
- 2022
A heat pump revolution for Germany
From 2024, every newly installed heating system is to be run on 65 percent renewable energy - as decided by the German government in March 2022. What are the most urgent tasks on the German government's To-Do list for achieving this ambitious goal?
- 08
- Jul
- 2021
How to make renewable hydrogen cost-competitive
The expansion of renewable hydrogen in the European Union calls for policy support in the order of 10–24 billion euros a year until the end of this decade. A joint study by think tank Agora Energiewende and its partner Guidehouse outlines which policy instruments are essential for renewable hydrogen’s successful market uptake – and its economic competitiveness.
- 17
- Jun
- 2021
10 recommendations for climate-neutral buildings by 2045 through a socially equitable transformation
Think tank Agora Energiewende presents a comprehensive package of measures to ensure affordable and green housing for all income groups while attaining climate neutrality by 2045.
- 07
- May
- 2021
What measures are needed for Germany to become climate-neutral by 2045
The recent decision of the German Federal Constitutional Court has led to more ambitious policy proposals by the government, including the goal to be climate-neutral in 2045. In a new study, Stiftung Klimaneutralität, Agora Energiewende and Agora Verkehrswende present a clear pathway, which also supports the provisions of the EU Climate Law.
- 26
- Mar
- 2021
Making the building sector climate fit: The all-inclusive rent system
Temperature-based rents can provide targeted incentives for both landlords and tenants. Sweden has been successfully using an exception clause in the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) to do just that. In its latest study published today, Agora Energiewende proposes reviewing the EED in a bid to increase the rental housing market’s contribution to the “Fit for 55” climate package.
- 04
- Mar
- 2021
10 years after Fukushima: 10 frequently asked questions about Germany's nuclear phase-out
Has the nuclear phase-out turned Germany into an electricity-importing country? How has security of supply changed since 2011? How has the nuclear power that was eliminated been replaced? Have climate-damaging carbon emissions increased due to the nuclear phase-out? Is there now a renaissance of nuclear power?
- 05
- Jan
- 2021
Corona year 2020: record declines in carbon emissions and coal power
Lower demand for electricity, more renewables and cheaper electricity production from gas heralded the beginning of the end of coal – which, for the first time, produced less electricity than wind turbines did. Due to the pandemic-related economic crisis, greenhouse gas emissions dropped to a low.
- 22
- Dec
- 2020
Minimizing the cost of integrating solar and wind in Japan
While estimates have been made for integration costs, they are very country-specific. Relatively little work has been done for Japan, unfortunately. For instance, no analysis has been found for transmission grid costs in Japan. A new study by Agora Energiewende entitled “Minimizing the cost of integrating wind and solar power in Japan” aims to fill such gaps.
- 22
- Oct
- 2020
How Germany can become climate-neutral by 2050
A comprehensive study commissioned by Agora Energiewende, Agora Verkehrswende and Stiftung Klimaneutralität finds that Germany's greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced to zero in 30 years. Coal, oil, and natural gas will be replaced by electricity and hydrogen from renewables in all areas of life and the economy. To achieve this, newly added wind and solar capacity must be tripled in the next ten years and the German climate target raised to a 65 percent emissions reduction.
- 01
- Sep
- 2020
Coordinated phase out from lignite in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic favours power consumers and climate
In a new study, Agora Energiewende and Forum Energii analyse the opportunity for a phase out from lignite and the effects this would have in the power sector in Poland, Czech Republic, and Germany by 2032. The study finds that an accelerated phase out is technically and economically feasible if coordinated among the three countries – provided, lignite is being substituted by renewable energy sources.
- 07
- Jul
- 2020
A new story about growth in crisis for the EU and China
In a policy paper released today, Agora Energiewende and the Energy Foundation China have defined priority issues, to achieve a sustainable, resilient and fairer recovery from the COVID-19 crisis in both Europe and China.
- 03
- Jun
- 2020
50 dual-benefit measures for economic recovery and climate action
Agora Energiewende and Agora Verkehrswende today released the English version of “Dual-Benefit Stimulus for Germany”, a proposal for a massive economic aid package comprising more than 50 measures for industry, transport, buildings, the energy economy, and increased purchasing power.
- 28
- Feb
- 2020
Revaluating the space requirements of offshore wind
When offshore wind farms are located in excessive proximity to one another, turbine productivity is impaired. Accordingly, countries on the North Sea should coordinate their development of offshore wind energy. By optimizing the spatial distribution of wind farms, offshore wind can become a key pillar of the European energy system, a new study undertaken on behalf of Agora Energiewende and Agora Verkehrswende shows.
- 30
- Jan
- 2020
For a climate-friendly heating sector, improving building insulation is crucial
Halving the emission of greenhouse gases from German chimneys by 2030 will require buildings to become much more efficient. Indeed, greatly improved building efficiency is essential for ushering in a climate friendly heating sector. Without policy measures to improve building insulation, achieving climate protection targets in Germany will necessitate 8 billion euros in supplemental spending in addition to unrealistically high e-fuel imports.
- 07
- Jan
- 2020
Emission certificate prices push greenhouse gas emissions and coal-fired power generation to record lows in Germany in 2019
The share of renewables in electricity consumption rose to almost 43 per cent in 2019. However, progress in the power sector is offset by rising greenhouse gas emissions in the building and transport sectors. Public awareness for the importance of climate protection continues to rise: since May 2019, it has consistently been the most pressing political issue in the eyes of the German population. These and other findings are contained in a review of 2019 conducted by Agora Energiewende.
- 19
- Dec
- 2019
How policy-makers can solve the investment dilemma faced by energy-intensive manufacturers and facilitate industrial climate protection
Climate protection is already a major consideration in the investment decisions made by steel, chemical and cement manufacturers. Indeed, if companies in these sectors were to ignore the climate impacts of their long-term investment decisions, significant financial losses could result, given the likelihood of more stringent environmental regulations in coming years. While various climate-neutral production technologies already have a high stage of maturity, their large-scale deployment has been hampered by the lack of a conducive regulatory environment. In a new study, Agora Energiewende and the Wuppertal Institute therefore propose an immediate action programme to make German manufacturers a vanguard in green hydrogen, industrial electrification and the abatement of process emissions.
- 12
- Aug
- 2019
The German Coal Compromise and its Significance for the Energy Industry
How will the proposed roadmap for phasing out coal power impact the energy sector, electricity prices, and the achievement of emissions targets? Agora Energiewende has assessed the recommendations of the German Coal Commission.
- 13
- May
- 2019
Fair and equitable measures that the German federal government must take to reach its 2030 climate targets and avoid 60 billion euros’ worth of penalties
Agora Energiewende and Agora Verkehrswende have just published “15 Key Proposals for Germany’s 2019 Climate Change Act”. They include a carbon price of 50 euros per tonne and a climate bonus reimbursement of 100 euros yearly per person. They also provide tax subsidies for green retrofits of existing buildings and incentives for buying climate-friendly cars.
- 27
- Mar
- 2019
Learning from the Yellow Vest Protests: On the Relationship between Climate Protection, CO2 Prices and Social Justice
A new study by Agora Energiewende analyses France’s ill-fated carbon tax and proposes recommendations for increasing the public acceptance of green levies in the future
- 04
- Dec
- 2018
Increasing the cost of petrol, heating oil, and natural gas so as to decrease the cost of electricity and make climate protection affordable
Agora Energiewende is rolling out a proposal for the revenue-neutral reform of energy taxation based on CO2 prices. Climate-friendly buildings and electric vehicles will be subsidised by several billion euros annually, and a fund will be created to cushion hardship cases.
- 07
- May
- 2018
Agora Energiewende presents an agenda for the energy transition by 2030
“The Big Picture” describes trends, goals and measures for the second phase of the transformation of the energy system/In addition to the electricity system, transport and heating supply face major transformations
- 17
- Apr
- 2018
Electricity-Based Fuels: As Much as Needed for the Sake of the Climate, as Little as Possible for the Sake of Efficiency
A recent study commissioned by Agora Verkehrswende and Agora Energiewende investigates the costs and potential uses of fuels synthesized from renewable electricity.
- 19
- Mar
- 2018
Only together can France and Germany lead their respective energy transitions to success
Both countries should quickly resolve to scale back coal and nuclear power generation while working to implement the energy transition in Europe, according to a joint study by German Agora Energiewende and the French IDDRI
- 08
- Jan
- 2018
Records with renewables, but once again no progress on CO2 emissions – 2017 was a year of mixed success for the energy transition
Agora Energiewende evaluates the 2017 electricity year: Wind power increases massively and overtakes coal and nuclear / Rising energy and electricity consumption as well as electricity exports / Greenhouse gas emissions remain at consistently high level
- 14
- Jul
- 2017
Call for French-German Energy Transition Alliance
- 07
- Jul
- 2017
The energy transition wins: Comparing the costs of a 100% renewables system vs. coal or gas power systems
The Berlin-based think tank Agora Energiewende presents a thought experiment: what would electricity cost in 2050 if we stopped the renewable energy transition?
- 07
- Jun
- 2017
Coal-fired power stations are not necessarily a barrier to the expansion of renewable energy
Old plants can be made more flexible at reasonable expense, allowing countries with a high percentage of coal-based electricity to make a smooth transition to a climate-friendly energy system
- 30
- May
- 2017
The German Lignite Industry
Comprehensive study with data and facts for an informed discussion on the essential restructuring of a historically significant industry
- 30
- May
- 2017
Continued Cost Declines Expected for Onshore Wind
Costs as low as 3 to 4.5 cents per kilowatt-hour can be reached, new study finds
- 17
- May
- 2017
Agora Energiewende and Roland Berger propose a pact between government and industry on clean energy policy and industry policy
The proposal aims to secure German industrial competitiveness while also promoting the success of the clean energy transition
- 18
- Apr
- 2017
Cheap Heating Oil, Pricey Electricity: Current Levies and Surcharges Hamper Clean Energy Transition
A baseline study by Agora Energiewende has found a large energy price imbalance that favours energy harmful to the environment. Reforming the present system of levies and surcharges is the next major step in the climate friendly restructuring of the energy system.
- 21
- Mar
- 2017
The Energiewende in a nutshell
10 Questions and Answers on the German Energy Transition
- 21
- Mar
- 2017
Reducing Electricity Waste with Smart Markets
Agora Energiewende presents market solutions for reducing the costs of redispatch – Smart markets at the regional level can help to balance supply and demand while eliminating grid bottlenecks
- 14
- Feb
- 2017
Home Heating in 2030: Five Million Heat Pumps, Steady Levels of Natural Gas, Far Less Oil
Agora Energiewende presents its study "Heat Transition 2030" and outlines the first steps towards heat decarbonisation
- 06
- Jan
- 2017
Coal power is on the decline, yet emissions have increased – 2016 was a year of mixed success
An annual assessment conducted by Agora Energiewende finds that despite numerous positive trends in Germany’s transition to green energy, the speed of change is not fast enough to meet the climate and efficiency targets set for 2020.
- 09
- Nov
- 2016
Understanding the new laws on Energiewende
Background Paper on Germany´s new Reneweble Energy Act, Electricity Market Act, and the Act on the Digitisation of the Energy Transition
- 11
- Apr
- 2016
What needs to be done to make Europe's electricity sector ready for the 2030 challenge
Agora Energiewende’s “Power Market Pentagon“ outlines the first ever consistent proposal for the cornerstone of the future EU climate and energy package: It holistically lays out measures to create more flexible electricity markets, stabilise revenues for renewable energy sources, maintain supply security and decarbonize the electricity system
- 11
- Jan
- 2016
How Germany can successfully exit coal by 2040
Agora Energiewende proposes a “Roundtable for a National Consensus on Coal” and presents 11 principles for a step-by-step decarbonisation of the power sector by 2040.
- 08
- Dec
- 2015
Integration costs for renewable energy: controversial, but likely low
High shares of wind and solar power transform the entire power system and can lead to additional costs aside from building the power plants themselves. A new background paper examines these dynamics and concludes that not only the direct integration costs are low, but also the controversial indirect costs – as long as the power system becomes considerably more flexible.
- 30
- Nov
- 2015
German climate goals for 2030 and 2040 require coal exit
Germany's contribution to the Paris Climate Summit has far-reaching consequences for its power plant fleet, according to a study commissioned by Agora Energiewende
- 18
- Nov
- 2015
Old coal-fired power plants block EU climate and energy goals – retirement is the only solution
Agora Energiewende and Regulatory Assistance Project have published a strategy paper on “smart retirement” at the occasion of the first report on the Energy Union
- 30
- Oct
- 2015
Get Ready for 150 Gigawatts of Solar Capacity and 40 Gigawatts of Storage in Germany
Price slump in photovoltaic and battery systems forces energy-sector rethink
- 23
- Jun
- 2015
Europe: 50 percent renewable energies by 2030 possible with greater integration
By 2030 around half of all electricity in Europe should come from renewable energies in order to reach EU climate targets. This applies to Germany, France, the Benelux countries, Austria and Switzerland. Varying volumes of national wind and solar supply can be balanced out through the cross-border integration of power systems.
- 16
- Jun
- 2015
Coal power reserve must be considerably larger to achieve climate protection
Study: Germany will only cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly if 18 to 20 old lignite power stations are removed from the market
- 05
- Jun
- 2015
Rising exports of coal-fuelled electricity threaten German climate targets
UK- or Dutch-style national climate protection measures needed as countermeasure
- 07
- May
- 2015
Energiewende: Costs to peak soon
The expansion of renewable energies is causing an ever-smaller rise in the state-set EEG surcharge, designed to encourage investment in the sector. As of 2023, the levy will likely even fall, Agora Energiewende’s EEG surcharge calculator shows.
- 26
- Mar
- 2015
French capacity market lowers prices on the German power exchange
A study for Agora Energiewende shows the possible interactions of different capacity mechanisms on either side of the Rhine. Price impacts are limited to a few hours per year.
- 17
- Mar
- 2015
2015 solar eclipse provides a snapshot of challenges awaiting the power system of the future
New study: The German power system will have to cope with challenging situations, such as the one occurring exceptionally on March 20, on a more regular basis in 15 years
- 06
- Jan
- 2015
Turnaround for the Energiewende
Taking stock of 2014: Greenhouse gas emissions abate/Renewables are most important power/Electricity usage and coal-fired power production decline/Power prices fall slightly
- 03
- Nov
- 2014
Saving Electricity as a Business Model
A new recommendation from Agora Energiewende: Municipal utilities and other energy companies should receive incentives to help customers install energy-efficient devices.
- 30
- Sep
- 2014
Study: the Energiewende does not need to wait for storage
In the electricity sector, new storage is needed only when there is a very high share of renewable energies. The further development and implementation of storage will be driven by electric cars and other applications.
- 30
- Apr
- 2014
Benefits of Energy Efficiency on the German Power Sector
Study shows: A reduction of electricity consumption of 10 to 35 percent withing the next 20 years will save Germany billions of euros – more and more each year.
- 17
- Apr
- 2014
Renewable Energy is More Cost Effective than Nuclear in the Fight Against Climate Change
CO2-Free Power Generation in Europe: Wind and Solar Power Are Already Cheaper than Nuclear – Even When Considering the Power Plants Needed for Reserve Capacity
- 16
- Oct
- 2013
Agora proposal outlines EEG 2.0 and a redesign of the market
Agora Energiewende has outlined a radical two-step plan for improving how Germany handles renewables. The first step radically simplifies the Renewable Energy Act (EEG) in 2014, while the second step involves transparently redesigning the market for renewable and conventional energy by 2017. This "EEG 2.0" would encourage further expansion of renewable energy at affordable prices for consumers.
- 27
- Aug
- 2013
Final report on load management study published
The final version of the report entitled “Load Management as a Way of Covering Peak Demand” has now also been published in English. Its main finding is that industrial firms in the two southern German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria can shift more than a gigawatt of their power demand for short periods, which would considerably help ensure the security of power supply in southern Germany.
- 10
- Jun
- 2013
Great leeway in expanding renewables
Final report – Study for Agora Energiewende finds that it makes little difference in terms of cost whether wind turbines and solar arrays are built in locations with the best resources or close to areas of consumption.
- 07
- Jun
- 2013
12 Insights on Germany's Energiewende (English & Chinese)
Our first insight is: Germany's Energiewende is all about wind and solar! They're the cheapest renewable energy technologies and have the most potential. Their priority in Germany's energy mix will fundamentally transform the current system and the country's energy market. Firstly, in the near future, fossil power plants, electricity demand, and electricity storage will have to be aligned with weather-dependent electricity production, namely from wind and solar sources. Secondly, the electricity market will have to be transformed into a market determined by the investment costs of clean energy systems.
- 12
- Mar
- 2013
Capacity market or strategic reserve: What's the next step?
Germany has a very high degree of supply security with an average power outage of 15 minutes per customer per year. But the existing electricity market is not in a position to permanently guarantee this degree of security. Our background publication entitled "Capacity Market or Strategic Reserve: What's the Next Step?" outlines the key concepts to solve the problem and organizes them in the context of the clean energy transition.