The expert commission on energy transition monitoring, of which UTN professor Veronika Grimm is a member, sees slightly positive developments in the energy transition. Nevertheless, there is still an urgent need for action in key areas, such as the expansion of the electricity grids and the decarbonization of the transport, buildings and industry sectors.
The status update on the energy transition maps the current situation of the energy transition in order to inform decision-makers and bring them up to date on the change of government. Last year’s monitoring report identified a need for political action in almost all areas of the energy transition. Although progress has been made, particularly in the expansion of renewable energies, the energy transition traffic light set up by the Commission was still yellow in most dimensions, and even red in the areas of energy security, grids and energy efficiency.
“In recent months, the situation regarding grids, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions has improved slightly. However, there have also been deteriorations that require further efforts to keep the energy transition on track,” summarizes the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Dr. Andreas Löschel. “In particular, the lack of market integration of renewable energies, the delays in the urgently needed expansion of controllable power plants and the faltering ramp-up in the hydrogen sector have worsened the situation. The creation of the right framework conditions for the energy transition must continue”.
In 2011, the German government set up an independent commission of experts to monitor the energy transition. The members of the expert commission on energy transition monitoring, Prof. Dr. Andreas Löschel (Chairman), Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm, Dr. Felix Matthes and Prof. Dr. Anke Weidlich, have today published the status update on the energy transition.
Slightly positive developments, but also urgent need for adjustment
The rapid expansion of energy infrastructure is a key prerequisite for the energy transition. However, in addition to more integrated planning, greater consideration must also be given to potential savings. “The increase in electricity demand by 2030 could be overestimated due to current electrification trends,” says Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm. “By adjusting investment decisions accordingly, the increase in grid usage fees could be reduced over time. At the same time, however, accelerated planning and approval of line projects remains essential. The costs of grid expansion could also be reduced by providing for overhead lines when implementing direct current projects instead of giving priority to underground cables, as has been the case to date.”
“In the coming legislative period, there is a great need for action to decarbonize the building and transport sectors and to align industry towards climate neutrality. Electrification is a key strategy for this,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Anke Weidlich. “The ramp-up of electric vehicles, heat pumps and electric industrial processes is primarily being promoted by low electricity prices. The reduction of electricity prices, in conjunction with strong CO2 emissions trading, should therefore be given top priority.”
Further need for action in the sustainable transformation
The secure supply of electricity remains a key issue in the energy transition. While the expansion of renewable energies is gaining momentum, the stock of controllable power plant capacities – i.e. power plants that can be used flexibly – continues to decline. Dr. Felix Matthes therefore emphasizes: “The construction of new, flexibly deployable gas-fired power plants is essential for the energy transition in order to ensure security of supply. This requires a relaunch of the power plant strategy. The regulatory framework conditions, e.g. for the use of hydrogen, should be made less restrictive.”
To the short report of the expert commission on energy transition monitoring (German)
Contact
Department Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Energy Systems and Market Design Lab
The expert commission on energy transition monitoring, of which UTN professor Veronika Grimm is a member, sees slightly positive developments in the energy transition. Nevertheless, there is still an urgent need for action in key areas, such as the expansion of the electricity grids and the decarbonization of the transport, buildings and industry sectors.
The status update on the energy transition maps the current situation of the energy transition in order to inform decision-makers and bring them up to date on the change of government. Last year’s monitoring report identified a need for political action in almost all areas of the energy transition. Although progress has been made, particularly in the expansion of renewable energies, the energy transition traffic light set up by the Commission was still yellow in most dimensions, and even red in the areas of energy security, grids and energy efficiency.
“In recent months, the situation regarding grids, energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions has improved slightly. However, there have also been deteriorations that require further efforts to keep the energy transition on track,” summarizes the Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Dr. Andreas Löschel. “In particular, the lack of market integration of renewable energies, the delays in the urgently needed expansion of controllable power plants and the faltering ramp-up in the hydrogen sector have worsened the situation. The creation of the right framework conditions for the energy transition must continue”.
In 2011, the German government set up an independent commission of experts to monitor the energy transition. The members of the expert commission on energy transition monitoring, Prof. Dr. Andreas Löschel (Chairman), Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm, Dr. Felix Matthes and Prof. Dr. Anke Weidlich, have today published the status update on the energy transition.
Slightly positive developments, but also urgent need for adjustment
The rapid expansion of energy infrastructure is a key prerequisite for the energy transition. However, in addition to more integrated planning, greater consideration must also be given to potential savings. “The increase in electricity demand by 2030 could be overestimated due to current electrification trends,” says Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm. “By adjusting investment decisions accordingly, the increase in grid usage fees could be reduced over time. At the same time, however, accelerated planning and approval of line projects remains essential. The costs of grid expansion could also be reduced by providing for overhead lines when implementing direct current projects instead of giving priority to underground cables, as has been the case to date.”
“In the coming legislative period, there is a great need for action to decarbonize the building and transport sectors and to align industry towards climate neutrality. Electrification is a key strategy for this,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Anke Weidlich. “The ramp-up of electric vehicles, heat pumps and electric industrial processes is primarily being promoted by low electricity prices. The reduction of electricity prices, in conjunction with strong CO2 emissions trading, should therefore be given top priority.”
Further need for action in the sustainable transformation
The secure supply of electricity remains a key issue in the energy transition. While the expansion of renewable energies is gaining momentum, the stock of controllable power plant capacities – i.e. power plants that can be used flexibly – continues to decline. Dr. Felix Matthes therefore emphasizes: “The construction of new, flexibly deployable gas-fired power plants is essential for the energy transition in order to ensure security of supply. This requires a relaunch of the power plant strategy. The regulatory framework conditions, e.g. for the use of hydrogen, should be made less restrictive.”
To the short report of the expert commission on energy transition monitoring (German)
Contact
Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm
Department Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Energy Systems and Market Design Lab