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The technologies being used in Germany’s energy transition are in high demand. Countries all around the world have set themselves ambitious targets for combatting climate change and for cutting back on energy consumption. Energy solutions ‘made in Germany’ are to help them build up high-performance and long-lasting energy supply systems. Various bilateral energy partnerships form the political basis for launching cooperation projects between Germany and another country. These partnerships combine dialogue between high-level government officials and projects that also involve the private sector. As the energy partnerships with China and Morocco show, this cooperation can cover a multitude of different aspects. In addition to this, the Energy Export Initiative helps support cooperation between businesses.

China: A highly efficient ‘happiness castle’

Xingfubao (in English: happiness castle) is the name of the first certified passive house (to learn more about what this means, click here) in Urumqi – a city in the extremely cold region of Northwest China. Here, temperatures plummet to minus 30 degrees Celsius in Winter. The aim of the builders of the Xingfubao – which houses both commercial and residential units – was for the building to use only 13 per cent of the heat consumed by other new buildings in the region. As they found out during a visit to Germany during which they looked at a number of energy-efficient buildings, this was a realistic goal.

It was not only this inspiration, but also a lot of German expertise and technology that went into the building. The Passive House Institute in Darmstadt developed the concept for the use of the building. The Institut für Energie- und Umweltforschung (ifeu) served as the coordinator for the project. Rehau, a German manufacturer, for the first time produced passive house windows in China, which were then used to equip the Xingfubao. And German vocational retraining centres helped Chinese architects and craftsmen acquire the skills needed to install all of the components correctly. The energy-efficient castle was a great success. In the first winter after it was built, only 19 kilowatt-hours of heat per square meter of floor space were used. This was exactly according to plan. In Germany, which has a much milder climate, the limit for passive houses is 15 kilowatt-hours per square meter.

Investment in renewable energy sources: A third comes from China

The passive house in Urumqi is only one of many examples where Germany and China have worked together successfully on energy. For almost ten years now, the countries have closely engaged in an energy partnership. China is not only the world’s most populous country, but also has the world’s highest demand for energy. This means that there is great potential for using renewables and technologies that help improve energy efficiency. In 2015, China invested around 102.9 billion US dollars in renewable energy, accounting for more than one third of global investment in the sector and spending 17 per cent more than in the previous year (more information can be found in the publication entitled Renewable Energy Sources in Figures).

‘Energy Export Initiative’ helps support German SMEs

The energy partnership between Germany and China covers a multitude of different aspects: amongst other things, Germany is helping China to build up its Chinese National Renewable Energy Center (CNREC). This think tank advises the Chinese government on how to boost the share of renewable energy whilst maintaining a stable and secure energy supply. In addition to this, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy helps promote economic cooperation on energy between the two countries through its Energy Export Initiative. This initiative helps German SMEs that provide technological solutions in the areas of renewables, energy efficiency, storage technology and smart grids to enter new markets abroad. Amongst other things, the Energy Export Initiative has helped draw attention to the Xingfubao project in Urumqi.

Germany also takes part in a wide range of international trade fairs such as the Western China International Fair, which took place in Chengdu this November, and also has a dedicated road show to raise awareness for its energy transition (click here to find out more). Apart from this, the Energy Export Initiative and the Sino-German Energy Partnership are also used to organise business trips and fact-finding missions for companies. This is being done in cooperation with the Sino-German Chamber of Commerce.

Morocco: Germany helps build the world’s largest solar power station

Germany and Morocco entered into an energy partnership in 2012. Since then, the Federal Government has been supporting Morocco implement its own energy transition. The two countries are working together to develop scenarios that help evaluate how much potential there is to expand renewable energy. The government of Morocco envisages increasing its electricity generation capacity to around 52 per cent by 2030 – placing a strong focus on wind and solar power. The country, which hosted the UN’s Climate Conference a few weeks ago, used to depend heavily on importing energy from other countries.

The country is currently building one of the world’s largest solar farms in Ouarzarzate, which will have a capacity of 550 MW. The project also receives funding from Germany. Ultimately, this huge power station will provide electricity for around 1.3 million people, and it will do so in a particularly climate-friendly way, emitting at least 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ less than conventional power plants every year. At the beginning of this year, the first part of the station – NOOR I – was commissioned. Germany not only provides funding for the power station, but also some part of the technology. Amongst other things, German turbines, absorber tubes and mirrors are used in the solar thermal power station (click here to find out more about solar thermal energy).

State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy Rainer Baake recently travelled to Marrakesh to take part in the UN’s Climate Conference. During this trip, he engaged in dialogue with representatives from the Moroccan energy sector and chaired the meeting of the energy partnership steering committee. In addition to this, a business roundtable was organised, which brought together representatives from both German and Moroccan energy companies. They engaged in dialogue about new business opportunities – which is exactly what we hope to achieve with our energy partnerships.

Energy partnerships with countries from all parts of the world

Germany currently has energy partnerships with countries such as India, China, Mexico, South Africa, Nigeria, Brazil and Turkey. The Energy Export Initiative helps German companies enter new markets abroad, including in countries with which no energy partnership exists.