The German Energiewende and its roll-out of renewable energies: An economic perspective

Abstract

This paper gives a short overview of the German Energiewende, i.e. the transition of a large and mostly thermal electricity system towards electricity generation from renewable energy source. It discusses both, the motivation of the transitions as future goals and current status. Furthermore, it gives an in-depth view into the changes in economic costs for society as well as electricity price effects, especially for average private households and industrial consumers. It also discusses the benefits of the promotion of renewable energies in Germany.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

electricity system / renewable energy / cost-benefit analysis

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2017 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg