Germany’s transition to renewable energy: Lessons for Canada
Date
2018
Authors
Scully, Emma
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Publisher
Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers
Abstract
Germany is a leader as a renewable energy economy. 50Hertz operates one of Germany’s largest electric grids, delivers both solar and wind power as renewable electricity, and uses an intricate system of forecasting to predict when the wind will blow and the sun will shine. Germans are provided subsidies from the government as encouragement to sell to this power grid. The German renewable energy movement, called Energiewend, is politically and economically charged. Controversy began after the nuclear disaster in Japan sparked the closure of nuclear plants in Germany. Although progressive in the renewable energy space, there is much controversy as to how Germany will maintain electricity output if use of nuclear and coal sources are eliminated. Angela Merkel’s promise to meet 2020 emission targets is failing, as power production in total has increased over the years due to increase in renewable power production and maintaining production of lignite coal. Pricing models require work, as high electricity rates paid by the consumer will interfere with affordability. In Canada, Hydro One delivers some forms of renewable energy; however, a large amount of electricity still comes from nuclear power. With nuclear plants nearing the end of their useful lives, Ontario faces a challenging future in terms of renewable energy, and should look to Germany for solutions and learn from their failures. Canada’s limited progress in the renewable electricity market can be attributed to a variety of aspects: political, social, geographical and cultural. Hydro One must emphasize the real business benefits of transitioning to completely renewable power; however, there is currently the inability to reliably store renewable energy, which limits both Canada and Germany’s progress in the renewable sector.
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Citation
Scully, E. (2018). Germany’s transition to renewable energy: Lessons for Canada. Bachelor of Commerce Best Business Research Papers, 11, 78–93.