How can energy communities contribute to Germany's future energy system?

Furthermore, only in a combination of conducive social factors such as neighborhood cohesion and conducive social influence, as well as favorable economic conditions, can energy communities become an important player in Germany’s future energy system. 1.

Is the energy transition in Germany a success story?

The energy transition in Germany has seen some ups and downs, but in the big picture it has been a success story. In 2021, wind, solar, biomass, hydro and geothermal energy added up to a market share of 41.1 percent in power consumption. The goal is to reach 80 percent by 2030. This is a huge opportunity to modernize Germany’s economy.

How many energy communities are there in Germany?

Though present numbers are very small, Germany has a comparatively large number of energy communities in the EU, with approximately 1750 . Furthermore, Germany also shows a considerable variety of energy communities and a large share in renewable electricity generation capacity owned by private citizens (30.2% in 2019) .

Are solar and wind power a good investment in Germany?

The massive cost reduction in solar and wind power generation is one indicator of the innovative potential in the renewable energy sector. In good locations in Germany, wind power and PV already have lower costs than new coal or natural gas power plants.

Does Germany have solar power?

Although Germany does not have a very sunny climate, solar photovoltaic power made up 4% of annual electricity consumption. On 25 May 2012, a Saturday, solar power reached a new record, injecting 22 GW of power into the German power grid. This met 50% of the nation's mid-day electricity demand on that day.

How did Germany overcome the energy crisis?

Security of supply was the order of the day. Decommissioned coal-fired power plants were reactivated to make up for a possible shortage of gas, while many industrial companies increasingly used oil to replace the expensive natural gas. This enabled Germany to successfully overcome the energy crisis.