Main topic: The German Energiewende

Context: A rapid decarbonization of a modern, industrial economy

Outline: Energiewende harbors a compelling socio-technical experiment based on policy driven-structural changes to the energy system. As a result, society should be based exclusively on renewable energy (not only in the power sector but also in all economic sectors). In the lecture, we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Energiewende, what can be expected in the following years and, how it affects other countries.

Sources: Hake, J. F. et al., describes the historical development of Germany energy policy. In the Redefining energy podcast, Patrick Graichen answers current questions related to Energiewende, including an introduction to the expected changes. The website of the Fraunhofer Institute provides a better picture of the existing transformation and the current state of the German energy system. Special attention deserves the change of the portfolio of production resources associated with the development of renewable energy sources (links Power and Energy).

Think about: You are an unconstrained ruler of a country very similar to Germany… Would you follow Energiewende? Would you do anything differently? Why?