Germany steps closer to the 100% renewables dream

Posted by bex — 9 January 2008 at 5:17pm - Comments

New coal, new nuclear - the government here seems to be doing everything in its power to avoid facing up to the reality that our energy system is archaic, our energy policy is a disaster, and the new large-scale, centralised coal and nuclear power plants they want won't stop climate change or ensure energy security.

But at least we can glean hope from a more forward thinking European neighbour. Scientists have proved that Germany - which is already way ahead of us on renewables (14 per cent in 2007) - can power itself entirely by renewable energy sources. Completely. 100 per cent.

From Biopact:

In an ongoing experiment called the KombiKraftwerk ('Combined Power Plant'), they link 36 decentralised biogas plants, wind, solar and hydropower installations in a robust network to demonstrate that distributed power can replace both fossil fuels and nuclear power. The network is just as reliable and powerful as a conventional large-scale power station.

The joint project supplies electricity around the clock regardless of weather conditions and electricity demand. It takes advantage of the unequally distributed energy potential across Germany and of a permanently stored source of solar energy, biomass.

Here's the video:

Renewables have a strong advantage over nuclear (or any other large scale power plant) in terms of timescale. They're quicker to build, so start coming online more quickly. (Add to that the fact that government figures show that wind, wave and tidal power could deliver more than twice as much electricity than the new fleet of nuclear reactors being debated in the same timescale).

In terms of the transition to a low carbon model of electricity generation, combined heat and power is crucial. It's the most efficient way possible to burn fossil fuels, and also allows us to burn greener fuels as they become available (eg biomass).

Cheers,

Bex
gpuk

Renewables have a strong advantage over nuclear (or any other large scale power plant) in terms of timescale. They're quicker to build, so start coming online more quickly. (Add to that the fact that government figures show that wind, wave and tidal power could deliver more than twice as much electricity than the new fleet of nuclear reactors being debated in the same timescale). In terms of the transition to a low carbon model of electricity generation, combined heat and power is crucial. It's the most efficient way possible to burn fossil fuels, and also allows us to burn greener fuels as they become available (eg biomass). Cheers, Bex gpuk

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