Germany must get away from its dependence on natural gas – not only is the expansion of renewable energy sources necessary, but also energy saving. Experts still see many possibilities.
With the help of modern power grids, better insulation of old buildings and the use of renewable raw materials in construction, the Federal Foundation for the Environment (DBU) sees opportunities for significant energy savings in Germany.
In addition to the accelerated expansion of renewable energies from wind, water and sun, energy saving and energy efficiency must be more important than before, said DBU General Secretary Alexander Bonde on Monday at the online annual press conference in Osnabrück. The problem has worsened because of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the associated consequences for the energy supply. “We have to act faster than planned,” said Bonde.
Share of renewable energy low
According to the foundation, the share of renewable energy in consumption in the areas of electricity, heat and transport is currently just over 19 percent. By 2030, Germany wants to achieve an 80 percent share of renewable energy in electricity alone. This goal can be achieved if, in addition to better efficiency measures, technical developments and the use of artificial intelligence are used, said DBU department head Felix Gruber.
It is important to convert the existing power grids in Germany with the help of digitization so that they are better suited for the decentralized generation of renewable energies. So far, the networks have been designed in such a way that they transport the electricity from a relatively small number of large power plants to the consumers. However, by using wind, water and biogas as energy sources, the network must become faster in all directions.
With the “NetzWind” project, the DBU is therefore promoting a project to stabilize energy supply networks. It should also enable the so-called black start in the field of renewable energy, in which a quick restart of the grid is possible. Another project funded by the DBU is intended to improve the aerodynamics of wind turbine rotors.
Saving energy in buildings is a major task
From the point of view of the DBU, the topic of saving energy in buildings is a major task. Two thirds of the buildings nationwide were built before 1977, when the insulation of roofs, walls and basement ceilings was prescribed for the first time by the thermal insulation ordinance. DBU expert Sabine Djahanschah said that the heat requirement for multi-family houses could be reduced by a tenth from around 250 to 25 kilowatt hours per square meter of living space and year by renovating the building envelope and building services. Wood as a renewable raw material is also becoming more important as a building material. The foundation is therefore supporting the construction of Germany’s tallest wooden skyscraper with 492,000 euros in Hamburg’s HafenCity.
Last year, the funding from the German Federal Foundation for the Environment rose to almost 60 million euros, and the foundation’s capital also increased by 60 million euros to 2.39 billion euros. In order to support the foundation’s capital, the foundation also increased investments in bonds to finance sustainable projects, so-called green bonds, last year, said DBU CFO Michael Dittrich. However, the current high level of inflation is having an impact on the purchasing power of the foundation’s capital.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
