Publikationen der Abteilung Energie, Verkehr, Umwelt

Electric Mobility Should Be Linked to an Additional Expansion of Renewables: Six Questions to Wolf-Peter Schill

Electromobility in Germany: CO2 Balance Depends on Charging Electricity

The German government plans to significantly increase the deployment of electric vehicles. What impact would this have on the country’s power system and carbon emissions? This question was addressed as part of a European research project analyzing various scenarios up to 2030. One of the key findings of the study is that total annual power consumption of the four to five million electric vehicles (depending ...

Upswing in a Subdued Global Economy: DIW Economic Outlook

The German economy continues to recover, and will grow by 2.2 percent in 2015 and by 1.9 percent in 2016. The unemployment rate will further decline, to 6.4 percent this year and 6.1percent in 2016. Inflation, which averages 0.5 percent this year, will be substantially dampened by the slump in oil prices; in 2016 as well, inflation will remain low, at 1.2 percent. The global economy continues in its ...

Continued and Broad-Based Support for Research and Development of Power Storage Needed: Seven Questions to Wolf-Peter Schill

Power Storage: An Important Option for the German Energy Transition

The German energy transition makes it necessary to increase flexibility in the electricity system. Different forms of power storage may play a part in this, yet there is competition with other options on the production or demand side. In the short term, the further expansion of electricity generation from fluctuating renewables will be possible in Germany without additional power storage facilities. ...

New Scenario Framework with CO2 Emission Reduction Targets and Less Lignite: Five Questions to Christian von Hirschhausen

Electricity Grids and Climate Targets: New Approaches to Grid Planning

Grid optimization, capacity increases, and grid expansion all play a key role in the development of the German power generation system. Thanks to transmission system operators’ foresightedness with regard to grid planning, as well as generous financial incentives related to grid expansion, Germany’s energy transition has not been impeded by transmission congestion in the electricity grid to date. So ...

Coal Power Endangers Climate Targets: Calls for Urgent Action

Coal-fired power stations are responsible for around a third of Germany’s carbon emissions. Failure to reduce the persistently high level of coal-fired power generation threatens Germany’s climate targets for 2020 and 2050 and undermines a sustainable energy transition. Calculations by DIW Berlin and other expert opinions prove that, in the long term, lignite, in particular, is no longer relevant for ...

Nuclear Power: Phase-Out Model Yet to Address Final Disposal Issue

Three years after the nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima one observes a certain momentum with regard to lifetime extensions as well as some interest in new building ofnuclear power plants. Advocates of nuclear power argue in term of low-cost electricity generation, a secure supply as well as a contribution against climate change. The Reference Scenario of the European Commission - which sets the agenda ...

European Energy and Climate Policy Requires Ambitious Targets for 2030

In January 2014, the European Commission proposed a framework for its climate and energy policy up to 2030. It includes targets for reducing greenhouse gases and using renewable energies, but no specific targets for increasing energy efficiency. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 40 percent over 1990 figures. Another element of the proposal is the introduction of a market stability ...