Energy policy in the summer slump: refugee bubbles instead of future issues

Energy policy in the summer slump: refugee bubbles instead of future issues

But isn't there something else that interests people in this lower `Schland, or at least ought to interest them? That's right: Soccer. Even if only for a free-kick second. Only the record heat is currently making it into the weather reports. Social issues? Doesn't feature. And there's no mention of energy, pipeline madness or climate protection at the moment. Yet there are so many reasons to delve deeper into this important - the most important? - Future topic of energy. And - even better - to drive it forward politically. A few examples of government inaction.

He should quickly finalize the law on partial EEG exemption, demand several trade associations, including the Federal Association for Combined Heat and Power (B-KWK) and the Association for Economical and Environmentally Friendly Energy Consumption (ASUE) from Federal Energy and Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU). What was the response? None.

As the federal association of the energy industry, BDEW is pushing for "a rapid adjustment of the framework conditions for the energy transition". Reaction? Pustekuchen.

Simone Peter, President of the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE), has a list of outstanding issues that she is calling on the German government to "implement swiftly" after reading the energy monitoring report: "Special tenders for wind and solar in conjunction with the long-term perspective of expanding at least 65% renewable energies in the electricity sector by 2030. Instruments to initialize the heating transition, such as the tax write-off for energy-efficient building refurbishment and the Building Energy Act. A bold start to a transport transition that should place renewable energies at the heart of a sustainable mobility strategy." Consequence? Equal to zero.

On the contrary! The ministries are sitting on their tasks. For example, well over 200 applications for funding are currently open in connection with the KWKG 2016, the Combined Heat and Power (Cooling) Act. This is stated in the Federal Government's response to a Green Party inquiry. One reason for the non-approval: the definition of a plant is still unclear. A government task to clarify this. What is the timetable? Apparently none.

Even students recognize that "We can do it!" does not work without clear paths to the energy future. So 15 students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Supply Engineering at Nuremberg Tech, or "Ohm" for short, have joined forces to find answers to the question: How can the European Metropolitan Region of Nuremberg (EMN) achieve the ambitious energy and climate targets it has set itself?

The result consisted of many interesting answers. But one very central finding was contained in all the study results: Domestic wind power is essential. As early as 2030, 640 wind turbines in northern Bavaria, each with a capacity of 4 megawatts, would be necessary for the EMN's optimal energy mix. By the way: This would only be possible if the 10H distance rule were abolished. Not a task for the federal government, but for the Bavarian state government.