Germany: Heading into the Second Phase of Clean Energy Industrialization Report of ‘Roundtable on German Success in Clean Energy Re-industrialization’

On October 3^rd, 2011, Center for American Progress hosted a roundtable discussion on Germany’s strategy and implementation of its clean energy development.  The discussion was led by Mr. Winfried Kretschmann, the minister of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg and politician from the Green Party.

The state of Baden-Wuttemberg lies in the southeastern corner of Germany.  Although it lacks natural resources, Baden-Wuttemberg is among the most prosperous states in Germany and one of the wealthiest regions in Europe with traditionally lowest unemployment rate. The state is heavily industrialized, with focus on Research and Development in the sustainable energy industry. One fifth of R&D personnel in Germany live in Baden-Wurttemberg. The state is also recognized as one of the Four Motors for Europe. It has great expertise in renewable energy engineering.

In March, 2011, Germany decided to shut down 25% of its nuclear power plants in the country, and completely phase out atomic energy by 2022. This strategy definitely put tremendous pressure on the energy sector in Germany. However, as in the nation, Germany is still dedicated to fulfilling the target set by Kyoto Protocol, reducing its emission by 80% compared to 1990s. Some of the new directions are renovating state-owned buildings to meet energy efficiency standards, and encouraging goods and service providers to adjust their products satisfy the needs for higher energy efficiency.  Businesses and industries are encouraged to lower energy consumption while improve manufacture facility and technology.

Solar energy has always received the highest population approval rate in the area. According to the new strategy, wind powered electricity will be increased to 30%.

In Germany, 23% of electricity comes from nuclear power plants. With the shutting down of nuclear power plants, there will be a period of time when marginal job creation does not change. However, as the technology and new industry revolves, new jobs will overcome the loss of jobs.

Germany, especially the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is confident to be the leader of the SECOND phase of clean energy industry revolution, which is to fundamentally reengineer the grid system and work on innovation solution of storage facilities.

                               

                                                                                               ---- Haiya Zhang