How have the different energy sources changed since 2014?

Author: Dr. Klaus Hassmann, Cluster Energietechnik This article gives the interested reader the opportunity to learn about the progress in the expansion of renewable energies as well as the stock of conventional power plants. Both categories are at the heart of the energy transition as part of efforts to ensure security of supply and reduce climate-damaging gases. The electricity demand in the context of the sector coupling electricity, heat and transport is not yet considered.

This article highlights the development of output and electricity generation of the main renewable and conventional energy sources from 2014 to 2017, allowing conclusions to be drawn about the progress of the energy transition in Germany. The sector coupling of electricity, heat and transport is not yet considered. The summary of the results is updated at regular intervals.

The power values entered in the tables in GW were taken from the power plant lists of the Federal Network Agency, the electricity generation values in TWh publications of AG Energiebilanzen.

Power Balances

Table 1: Installed Capacity Renewables in GW

*) Run-of-river and storage water with natural inflow **) Geothermal, landfill, mine and sewage gas

Table 2: Installed capacity of conventional energy sources

*) Waste, multiple energy carrierserm other/unknown non-renewables

Table 3: Total installed capacity Renewable and Conventional

Table 4: Percent renewable based on KW in operation

Energy balances

The table values for electricity generation only partially match the output values for the respective years, as the power plant lists are not sorted by calendar year.

Table 5: Gross electricity generation Renewable energy sources in TWh

Table 6: Gross Electricity Generation Energy Sources Conventional in TWh

Table 6 shows that electricity generation from lignite is significantly higher than that from hard coal; electricity from natural gas-fired power plants (mainly from combined cycle "CCGT" plants) is generated much more efficiently compared not only to lignite; however, according to Tab 6, this type has significantly fewer operating hours. This means that power plants in Germany have been operated according to their economic efficiency and not according to climate considerations. The target of a CO _2- reduction of 40% by 2020 compared to 1990 can no longer be achieved. The federal government has appointed a commission to decide how climate protection and economic efficiency can be reconciled. One can be curious about the results.

Table 7: Total electricity generation Renewable and Conventional

Table 8: Percent Renewable Relative to Total Electricity Generation

The federal government has set a goal of increasing renewable electricity generation to 65% by 2030; this will require some additional measures, not just in terms of renewable expansion.  The review over only four years (Table 8) shows a rather hesitant tendency of the expansion speed. This could even be reduced if old PV systems are removed from subsidies in the early 20s and owners have to decide whether it is economically feasible to continue operation. The energy system also needs to step up; this includes more than just expanding transportation grids or storage. When wind and solar supply is high, grid capacity is often insufficient to remove electricity; electricity storage facilities are also not available in the required capacity, meaning that wind plants in particular have to be taken off the grid when they receive full compensation. In the medium term, the sector coupling of electricity with heat/mobility will also require adjustments in the electricity sector.

There is much to be done......

Retirements

Table 9: Retirement of KW from 2014 conventional energy sources in MW

Table 9 shows a trend that contradicts the political goals of the decisions of the Paris Agreement of December 2015 to significantly reduce climate-damaging gases. Lignite is hardly affected in the decommissioning of conventional power plants, although this power plant category has a very low efficiency among the listed types. The CO ₂ release from lignite-fired power plants is generally high - all the higher the more hours per year the plants are operated.