In 2011, Germany finally saw their renewable energy production top that of almost all other sources of energy, including nuclear, hard-coal and gas-fired power plants. The only other energy generation source greater than the renewable energy mix was lignite-fired power.
According to a report from German utility BDEW, renewable energy accounted for 20 percent of the country's total energy output, up from 16.4 percent last year. Lignite-fired output produced 24.6 percent of the electricity.
Nuclear power is dropping off in the country since Chancellor Merkel closed the eight oldest reactors this past year after the Fukushima catastrophe. Nuclear represented 17.4 percent of the country's electricity load, down from 22.4 percent last year and the country plans to step away from the energy source completely by 2022.
Hits: 36062
Comments (18)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
written by Fencerdave, December 20, 2011
Not sure what "Ignite-Fired Power" refers to... Anyone want to educate me?
-
- +0
-
-
written by Andy, December 20, 2011
I found it in a translation tool. A lignite-fired power plant is a power-plant fired with brown-coal (we say this in german). Brown-Coal is Lignite and is a type of coal found in germany.
-
- +3
-
-
written by Rob, December 20, 2011
Lignite is a sort of coal. They mined and burnt it down the road from my sister in laws house. It's brownish and crumbly.
-
- +1
-
-
written by Clydesdalestu, December 20, 2011
Hiya. It's actually Lignite, also known as "Brown Coal". Here's the Wiki Page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignite
-
- +0
-
-
written by Paul Turner, December 20, 2011
Fencerdave, lignite is a fossil fuel which appears to be half way between coal and peat. It has a lower carbon content (and calorific value)than coal and quite a high moisture conbtent. It is mined extensively in parts of Europe and used for electricity production.
-
- +3
-
-
written by Sean, December 20, 2011
From Wikipedia: "Lignite, often referred to as brown coal, or Rosebud coal by Northern Pacific Railroad, is a soft brown fuel with characteristics that put it somewhere between coal and peat."
-
- +1
-
-
written by Devon, December 20, 2011
I keep reading about all these amazing (and large) renewable energy generation sites across the world. But I can only find old research and statistics about how much of the country's energy is from renewables.
Can wait for more countries to follow along.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure Ignite-Fire Power is the burning of garbage and other waste to generate heat and energy. It is very popular in Europe, because they consider it 'green' energy, where as North America does not.
Can wait for more countries to follow along.
Oh, and I'm pretty sure Ignite-Fire Power is the burning of garbage and other waste to generate heat and energy. It is very popular in Europe, because they consider it 'green' energy, where as North America does not.
-
- -2
-
-
written by kardan, December 20, 2011
lignite-fired power = power from burned brown coal
-
- +2
-
-
written by Guest, December 20, 2011
I had to search the web...Lignite is a grade of coal between black coal and peat...Low energy density keeps it from being traded internationally...In other words, it's coal.
-
- +3
-
-
written by alex white, December 20, 2011
I have been following this guy in Austin, TX who has a technology to burn natural gas with oxygen and reduce CO2 emissions by 80%. Coal and existing NG power plants can be retrofitted. His breakthrough is the ability to produce oxygen for a very low cost. He also can supply nitrogen to the same power plants to be used for cooling. They’d no longer need to use our rivers, lakes and streams.
I work in the energy field. With the advent of shale gas prices are more predictable and we are beginning to see 20 year contracts at $4-$6 Mcf. Oxy-fuel combustion is an existing technology. The electricity produced will be LESS than coal-generated electricity.
Solar has a place in our energy mix, but a very small place, perhaps up to 5%. Plus, it’s still very expensive.
I think our resources would be better spent cleaning up our existing power plants than wasting money on solar. If we can reduce CO2 by 80% from the power sector and do it affordably, it’s a clear choice.
You can see more at: http://www.solutioneur.com
I work in the energy field. With the advent of shale gas prices are more predictable and we are beginning to see 20 year contracts at $4-$6 Mcf. Oxy-fuel combustion is an existing technology. The electricity produced will be LESS than coal-generated electricity.
Solar has a place in our energy mix, but a very small place, perhaps up to 5%. Plus, it’s still very expensive.
I think our resources would be better spent cleaning up our existing power plants than wasting money on solar. If we can reduce CO2 by 80% from the power sector and do it affordably, it’s a clear choice.
You can see more at: http://www.solutioneur.com
-
- -5
-
-
written by Fencerdave, December 20, 2011
Apologies for the misread. Cheers to those who were willing to fix my stupidity!
-
- +0
-
-
written by WJW, December 21, 2011
This article talks about German production of energy. What about German USAGE of energy, since Germany imports energy from other countries?
In 2009, it consumed energy from the following sources:[14] (Wikipedia)
Oil 34.6%
Bituminous coal 11.1%
Lignite 11.4%
Natural gas 21.7%
Nuclear power 11.0%
Hydro- and wind power 1.5%
Others 9.0%
In 2009, it consumed energy from the following sources:[14] (Wikipedia)
Oil 34.6%
Bituminous coal 11.1%
Lignite 11.4%
Natural gas 21.7%
Nuclear power 11.0%
Hydro- and wind power 1.5%
Others 9.0%
-
- +2
-
-
written by Ronald Brak, December 22, 2011
Fencerdave, you weren't stupid. Mistaking lignite for Ignite is a simple mistake of the sort human beings frequently make. Anyone who thinks such a mistake deserves an insult might benefit from a remedial politeness class.
-
- +12
-
-
written by Slowking, January 29, 2012
This article talks about German production of energy. What about German USAGE of energy, since Germany imports energy from other countries?Germany does NOT import energy. Germany is an energy exporter.
-
- +0
-
-
written by Jeff Birks, February 06, 2012
As long as money isn't taken away from Fusion research I have no problem with us augmenting existing renewable means of energy generation. I would also hope we are investing in research into how to reduce the waste in energy delivery (e.g. room temperature superconducting materials could reduce the amount of energy we need to produce by over 30%).
-
- +0
-
-
written by Mike, February 12, 2012
Germany certainly makes progress in the renewable energy sector and i am convinced this country will have a "green future".
-
- +1
-
-
Write comment
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
DEC 19
"Germany certainly makes progress in the renewable energy sector and i ..."
View all Comments