The uncertain future of the coal energy industry in Germany. OSW COMMENTARY #188, 2015-10-20

Germany’s current energy strategy, known as the “energy transition”, or Energiewende, involves an accelerated withdrawal from the use of nuclear power plants and the development of renewable energy sources (RES). According to the government’s plans, the share of RES in electricity production will gradually increase from its present rate of 26% to 80% in 2050. Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to fall by 80–95% by 2050 when compared to 1990 levels. However, coal power plants still predominate in Germany’s energy mix – they produced 44% of electricity in 2014 (26% from lignite and 18% from hard coal). This makes it difficult to meet the emission reduction objectives, lignite combustion causes the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reach the emission reduction goals, the government launched the process of accelerating the reduction of coal consumption. On 2 July, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy published a plan to reform the German energy market which will be implemented during the present term of government. Emission reduction from coal power plants is the most important issue. This problem has been extensively discussed over the past year and has transformed into a conflict between the government and the coal lobby. The dispute reached its peak when lignite miners took to the streets in Berlin. As the government admits, in order to reach the long-term emission reduction objectives, it is necessary to completely liquidate the coal energy industry in Germany. This is expected to take place within 25 to 30 years. However, since the decision to decommission nuclear power plants was passed, the German ecological movement and the Green Party have shifted their attention to coal power plants, demanding that these be decommissioned by 2030 at the latest.

Heating Plant

In 1879 a campus heating plant and coal sheds were built on central campus just east of University Hall. In 1894, a new heating plant was built at the southeast corner of central campus. The University Hall heating plant was used by Buildings and Grounds from 1894-1915. From 1915-1923 the building was used as a fire station. On verso: Photographed in 1887 by A.L. Conton of '89

Electrical generating plant availability : staff report.

Cover title.

Study of monopoly power.

Emanuel Celler, chairman.

Development of a process for producing an ashless, low-sulfur fuel from coal.

Prepared for the Office of Coal Research, Dept. of the Interior...by the Pittsburg & Midway Coal Mining Co., Kansas City, Mo.

Control aspects of a large, dual-purpose nuclear reactor plant /

"Work performed under Contract No. AT(45-1)-1350 between the Atomic Energy Commission and General Electric Company."

The coal future : economic and technological analysis of initiatives and innovations to secure fuel supply independence /

Includes bibliographies.

Coal reserves of Washington,

Mode of access: Internet.

Demand for world coal through 1995 : analysis report /

"AR/IA/79-32"

Greater coal utilization : joint hearings before the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs and Public Works, United States Senate, pursuant to S. Res. 45, the National fuels and energy policy study, Ninety-fourth Congress, first session on S. 1777.

"Serial no. 94-18 (92-108)"

Phipps Bend Nuclear Plant socioeconomic monitoring report.

"PBNP-SMR-9, December 31, 1981."

Phipps Bend Nuclear Plant socioeconomic monitoring and mitigation report.

"PBNP-SMR-10, September 30, 1982. SP895."

Phipps Bend Nuclear Plant : socioeconomic monitoring report.

"PBNP-SMR-1."

Commercial nuclear power.

"DOE/EIA-0438."

Coal & Illinois industry : the impact of the National Energy Acts of 1978 /

Doc. No. 79/33.