22. June 2022 / / 0 Comments 
After the outlook for European gas-supply security improved significantly in May 2022, current developments are worrying. First, it is announced that US LNG export capacity is limited for the near future, then Russia significantly cuts supply volumes via the important Nord Stream 1 pipeline.
The energy markets remain in turmoil because of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Besides that, the short-term and futures markets continue to react to new developments with price fluctuations. With the REPower package, the EU is outlining a path to independence from Russian fossil fuels towards the accelerated expansion of renewable energy sources. In addition, the Federal Network Agency has announced the results of the tenders for second segment solar plants and the innovation tender.
Reducing dependence on Russian gas is the order of the day. Thus, import LNG terminals will soon play an important role in Germany. The idea of building import terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG) on the German coast is already several years old. However, political support for the construction of the planned facilities in Brunsbüttel, Wilhelmshaven and Stade was limited. Moreover, investment decisions by economic actors also dragged on for a long time, were put on hold or planning was very slow.
The Russia-Ukraine war is having a lasting impact on the energy market. While prices on the short-term and futures markets are skyrocketing, the government is trying to counteract this. With a relief package, the end consumer is to be less burdened and the emergency plan is to secure the gas supply. In the EEG “Easter package”, higher tender volumes for renewable energies were written down.
The energy systems of the two largest EU countries differ. A comparison of the electricity sectors in particular shows the contrasts. Electricity generation in France is dominated by nuclear power, which accounts for almost 70 percent, while Germany’s electricity mix relies on coal and natural gas as fossil fuels for one-third of the total. Follow us in this article as we explore the differences between the two energy systems.
Just by looking at the primary energy consumption of the two countries, the differences between France and Germany become clear. France’s primary energy consumption of about 10000 PJ was for many years about one third lower than that of Germany. However, in addition to the higher economic output, the high shares of coal-fired power generation in Germany also played an important role.
18. October 2021 / / Comments Off on Price rally across the energy markets 
Energy crunch in Europe? Energy prices have been breaking one record after another for several weeks. Where does the extreme rise in electricity, coal and gas prices come from? Is the price rally a short-term outlier or a sign of higher energy prices also in the future? In this article, we explain main global and regional causes of the current price developments on the energy markets.
19. August 2021 / / Comments Off on Hydrogen Boom in the Gas Network Development Plan 
The scenario framework of the transmission system operators for gas (FNB Gas) for the 2022 – 2032 Network Development Plan contains some interesting figures. For example, there were over 100 project notifications for hydrogen projects in Germany. With almost 25 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030, these figures exceed the plans of the German national hydrogen strategy many times over.
30. October 2020 / / 0 Comments 
In a new study commissioned by EWS Elektrizitätswerke Schönau eG, we have investigated how fully exploiting the potential for adding small-scale PV systems by 2030 would affect climate targets and the power market. How large is this potential? What measures need to be added to the current EEG Amendment in order to exploit this potential? Read more about it in this blog post.
