Press Info German Energiewende
German Energiewende: Facts and basic information for the press, media, radio and television
The german Energiewende is complex and multifaceted. Even in serious media (ZDF, Spiegel, FAZ, etc.) there are partial unbalanced or misrepresentatet presentations of the facts. We would like to offer compressed basic knowledge, useful background information, and the most important contexts on selected topics of the energy tunraround in Germany.
The german Energiewende is complex and multifaceted. Even in serious media (ZDF, Spiegel, FAZ, etc.) there are partial unbalanced or misrepresentatet presentations of the facts. We would like to offer compressed basic knowledge, useful background information, and the most important contexts on selected topics of the energy tunraround in Germany.
Trend opinion
Regenerative energy is subsidised by the state via the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) and funded by taxation.
Facts
The fact is: The EEG green electricity levy is not, as often stated, a promotion or subsidising of green electricity by the state or through taxation. As in the case of the minimum wage debate, only the level of the prices for electricity from renewable energy sources is fixed as the minimum prices to be paid. The EEG levy principle does not function like the health fund, with income (e.g. the sale of green electricity) and expenditure (payments to the plant operators). This is how the EEG levy really works:
Regenerative energy is subsidised by the state via the Renewable Energies Act (EEG) and funded by taxation.
Facts
The fact is: The EEG green electricity levy is not, as often stated, a promotion or subsidising of green electricity by the state or through taxation. As in the case of the minimum wage debate, only the level of the prices for electricity from renewable energy sources is fixed as the minimum prices to be paid. The EEG levy principle does not function like the health fund, with income (e.g. the sale of green electricity) and expenditure (payments to the plant operators). This is how the EEG levy really works:
Trend opinion
Solar energy is unreliable and the sun does not shine at night anyway. Then conventional power plants have to take over again.
Facts
The fact is that conventional power plants simply do not have to take up the slack for solar energy at night. People forget that in the evening and at night demand for power declines and falls by a half in comparison to daytime requirements. During the day, photovoltaic plants produce the power needed to meet demand at that point during the day:
Solar energy is unreliable and the sun does not shine at night anyway. Then conventional power plants have to take over again.
Facts
The fact is that conventional power plants simply do not have to take up the slack for solar energy at night. People forget that in the evening and at night demand for power declines and falls by a half in comparison to daytime requirements. During the day, photovoltaic plants produce the power needed to meet demand at that point during the day:
Trend opinion
Electricity is becoming ever more expensive due to the higher EEG levy. Renewable energy is responsible for the rise in electricity prices, because it is so highly subsidised.
Facts
The fact is that the state does not pay any subsidies nor use any money from taxation. The sale of EEG green electricity on the exchange leads to falling power and purchase prices. As a result, the EEG levy increases. The higher EEG levy is passed to consumers on by the power traders, but falling purchase prices for electricity are not passed on.
Electricity is becoming ever more expensive due to the higher EEG levy. Renewable energy is responsible for the rise in electricity prices, because it is so highly subsidised.
Facts
The fact is that the state does not pay any subsidies nor use any money from taxation. The sale of EEG green electricity on the exchange leads to falling power and purchase prices. As a result, the EEG levy increases. The higher EEG levy is passed to consumers on by the power traders, but falling purchase prices for electricity are not passed on.
Trend opinion
The expansion of solar power generation (photovoltaics) overloads the power grids.
Facts
The fact is that solar power does not overload the grids, but primarily relieves them. The power generated does not have to be transported over several hundred kilometres as is the case with central large-scale power plants.
The expansion of solar power generation (photovoltaics) overloads the power grids.
Facts
The fact is that solar power does not overload the grids, but primarily relieves them. The power generated does not have to be transported over several hundred kilometres as is the case with central large-scale power plants.
Trend opinion
Grid charges rise due to grid expansion as a result of the increasing use of renewable energy (green electricity use). New power lines are expensive. So the electricity price also rises.
Facts
The fact is that according to the annual report of the German Federal Network Agency, the grid charges in 2011 were more than 20 percent lower than in 2006. Electricity suppliers have decreased investment in the grids by more than 50 percent between 1993 and 2003. Investment has only been rising again since 2004 and the grid investment backlog is only slowly being resolved. However, the grid operators have not yet again reached the investment level of 1993.
Grid charges rise due to grid expansion as a result of the increasing use of renewable energy (green electricity use). New power lines are expensive. So the electricity price also rises.
Facts
The fact is that according to the annual report of the German Federal Network Agency, the grid charges in 2011 were more than 20 percent lower than in 2006. Electricity suppliers have decreased investment in the grids by more than 50 percent between 1993 and 2003. Investment has only been rising again since 2004 and the grid investment backlog is only slowly being resolved. However, the grid operators have not yet again reached the investment level of 1993.
Trend opinion
The generation of photovoltaic and wind power at peak load periods only reduces the exchange power price at midday, but otherwise causes the grids to be congested.
Facts
The term peak load power is defined by the electricity exchange as power, which is not traded at midday, but between 8 am and 8 pm. The prices for peak load power do not include the weekend values, so that the published peak load power price appears to be higher than it actually is. Wind and solar power does not congest the lines. The increasing production of solar power during the course of the day follows the rising demand for power. Photovoltaic systems provide electricity precisely when it is needed.
The generation of photovoltaic and wind power at peak load periods only reduces the exchange power price at midday, but otherwise causes the grids to be congested.
Facts
The term peak load power is defined by the electricity exchange as power, which is not traded at midday, but between 8 am and 8 pm. The prices for peak load power do not include the weekend values, so that the published peak load power price appears to be higher than it actually is. Wind and solar power does not congest the lines. The increasing production of solar power during the course of the day follows the rising demand for power. Photovoltaic systems provide electricity precisely when it is needed.
