Questions and answers about transforming the energy system

Wind/solar energy

1. The wind and the sun are energy sources that are impossible to control. How can supply be guaranteed with such uncertain sources?

   Over the medium term, conventional power plants, which can provide power at any time, will continue to play a central role in security of supply. Thanks to the expansion of our grids, the application of load management, the improvement of power output forecasts for wind and solar energy, and the development of storage technologies, a power system overwhelmingly based on renewable energies will ensure our supply of power is secure.

2. Solar and wind power are only produced at certain times: is it actually possible to store this power for longer periods?

   Yes, the storage of power from renewable energy is possible to a limited extent today. Energy storage facilities, such as pumped-storage plants, are already economic as well. Nevertheless, fresh technological developments are needed to make new energy storage facilities marketable. With its Promoting Energy Storage Facilities Initiative, the German government is supporting research und development work on several technologies for the storage of power, heat and other forms of energy. Fundamental research is still being done on some of these technologies, while others are at the development stage, including redox flow batteries and the conversion of renewably generated power into storable chemical energy in forms such as hydrogen or methane. The same is true for thermally optimised compressed air energy storage facilities, which increase efficiency by retaining heat until it can be used again.

3. Where and how can power that is generated at offshore wind farms in the North Sea, for example, actually be used in such a way that this is profitable and the costs incurred (e.g. for the construction of new power lines) do not make this form of energy unaffordable?

   Offshore wind energy must get to where it is needed: the industrial centres in the interior of the country. If this is to happen, we need to build new power lines without delay. Thus it is also necessary to expand our infrastructure so that we can distribute environmentally friendly power economically - and become more independent of expensive, conventional forms of energy. The reverse is therefore true: Investment in the expansion of grids will ultimately be cheaper than not expanding them. And appropriate legal framework conditions are essential so that the necessary power line routes can actually be built. In particular, the Energy Lines Expansion Act (Energieleitungsausbaugesetz) and the Grid Expansion Acceleration Act (Netzausbaubeschleunigungsgesetz) will ensure that the necessary power lines can be constructed in time.

4. Is it possible to anticipate how power prices will develop after the final phasing out of nuclear power?

   No. Power prices will be influenced not just by the phasing out of nuclear power, but also by other factors - such as fuel prices, the development of power provision in other countries, and the expansion of renewable energies and grids.

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