16. August 2019 / / Comments Off on The energy market review July 2019: returns on grid infrastructure and CO2 pricing 
The German Federal Court of Justice confirmed lower returns for grid operators, while renewable energies were on record course in the first half of 2019. Associations and politicians discuss the various possibilities for CO2 pricing. There was also a strong upward trend on the prices side in July 2019.
8. August 2019 / / Comments Off on Is there enough Cobalt to meet the need for batteries? 
The German automotive industry is currently regarded as a prime example of an industry in upheaval: carmakers are investing billions in the design of new electric cars and the construction of their production facilities. As part of this strategy, a major German carmaker announced its intention to produce 22 million so-called Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) over the next ten years.Will the global cobalt reserves be sufficient to keep pace with the ambitious plans?
18. July 2019 / / Comments Off on What does the BP Stats Review 2019 say about the global hunger for energy? 
While renewables were the largest source of new electricity generation on a global level, rising use of gas, oil and coal led to CO2-emissions being two percent higher in 2018 than in 2017. The disquieting truth about the global energy system: growing energy hunger outpaces renewable expansion. The increasing demand of 2.8 percent was primarily met by fossil fuels. This process puts climate goals to risk with the fastest growth of carbon emission in seven years.
10. July 2019 / / Comments Off on Germany’s CO2-emissions fell by 4.5 percent in 2018 
The latest figures from the Federal Environment Agency make it official. Germany emitted 4.5 percent less CO2 last year. Emissions were thus just over 865 million tonnes. The energy sector and households accounted for the lion’s share of the decline. In this article you will find a summary of Germany’s CO2 balance for the year 2018.
3. July 2019 / / Comments Off on The energy market review June 2019: Hot phase or hot air? 
While the tender for PV delivered lower prices in June 2019, there will be delays on the climate policy front. The details of a possible CO2-pricing and a climate-based tax reform are not to be announced until autumn. On the other hand, the second progress report on the energy transition makes it clear that many of the energy transition targets will not be achieved at the current rate of developments. While the spot market turned negative for several hours, the prices at the long end are falling with coal and gas.
12. June 2019 / / Comments Off on Energy market review May 2019: Wind auction flops, discussion about CO2 pricing and the consequences of coal phase-out While the wind auction in May 2019 was heavily undersubscribed, the discussion about additional CO2 pricing is entering a hot phase. In particular, the need for measures to increase the use of renewable energies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions make this clear. On the price side, May 2019 was less decisive and, after initial gains, did not provide any long-term impetus.
9. May 2019 / / Comments Off on Energy market review April 2019: CO2-limits in transport, rising bid values and negative prices at Easter
The bid values increased in the first tenders in Germany for renewable energies in 2019. In contrast, CO2-limits for new cars and trucks are intended to reduce the emissions of the EU. New German power lines and power-to-gas plants should be easier to set up and plan. On the price side, the trend in April 2019 was mainly upwards. The exception: Easter holidays brought many negative prices.
2. May 2019 / / Comments Off on PV tops Wind – an analysis of the German renewable energy expansion in the first five months of 2019 
At just above 1800 MW, the first five months of 2019 saw the strongest PV expansion in more than five years. The total installed capacity at the end of May was 47.7 GW. After the new installations of onshore wind energy already declined in 2018, the first quarter of 2019 saw the lowest expansion in more than 20 years. During this period, wind turbines with a total capacity of only 206 MW were reported as having been commissioned. This article examines the reasons for the different expansion of these important renewable energy sources in the first five months of 2019.
