A draft document by a German military think tank analyzing how peak oil might affect Germany attracted some attention last week. The study which is reported not to have been meant for publication is currently circulating on the internet.
The Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has started a consultation on proposed guidelines for wind power feed-in management pursuant to the German Energy Sources Act (Erneuerbare Energien Gesetz - EEG). Comments are due by 4 October 2010. Continue reading ‘Federal Network Consultation on Feed-in Management Guidelines’
The German Cabinet today passed its “Future Package” (Zukunftspaket). This Future Package is the austerity package with a volume of about EUR 80 billion until 2014. The controversial proposal for a Nuclear Fuel Elements Tax (Kernbrennstoffsteuergesetz) was only taken note of, and shall be decided upon as part of the Energy Concept on 28 September.
Last year 100 W light bulbs were phased out following the EU Ecodesign Directive. As of tomorrow, 75 W light bulbs follow suit. Sales will continue until stocks run out.
Continue reading ‘Phase-out of 75 W Light Bulbs as of 1 September 2010′
The government has published the study it commissioned to model nine scenarios for its upcoming Energy Concept. Key variables in the scenarios are upgrading costs and the number of additional years (0, 4, 12, 20, and 28) that the German nuclear power stations shall be allowed to operate. Continue reading ‘Energy Scenario Study for German Energy Concept Published’
Chancellor Angela Merkel once again confirmed that nuclear power a “bridging technology” for renewable energy in an interview with ARD, one of the two major public television stations. An extension of 10 to 15 years beyond the phase-out dates stipulated in the Atomic Energy Act (AtG) was technically desirable, she said.
Continue reading ‘Merkel: Nuclear Power Extension of 10 to 15 Years Technically Desirable’
On the last leg of her “Energy Tour” through Germany, Chancellor Andrea Merkel called for a massive expansion of the German grid.
Continue reading ‘Merkel: Massive Investments in German Grid Necessary’
In an interview with Rheinische Post, Prof. Justus Haucap, Chairman of the Monopolies Commission, called for a special market surveillance body (Marktüberwachungsstelle) for power trading. The body should investigate possible market abuse and could be attached to the Federal Cartel Office.
Dr. Katharina Reiche (Christian Democratic Union – CDU) called for a masterplan to ensure port capacities for the expansion of offshore wind parks.
Continue reading ‘Reiche Calls for Port Masterplan for Offshore Wind Industry’
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) published preliminary information from an internal key issue paper of the Ministry for the Environment (BMU) on the upcoming energy concept. According to BMU it was one of many working papers, the status of which was unclear, FAZ said.
Continue reading ‘Preliminary Information on Upcoming German Energy Concept’
