power plant at night
Energy policy

Reducing the burden on companies in terms of carbon pricing

There are plans to reduce the financial burden faced by companies following the introduction of carbon pricing in the heating and transport sectors in 2021. Firms that are put at an international competitive disadvantage could receive compensation, a large part of which would however have to be invested in climate change mitigation.

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direct view

Global report on renewable energy in cities 2020

REN21 report: Cities have a major impact on the global energy transition

Cities can play a key role in climate change mitigation. This is the message of REN21’s current report on renewable energy in cities. According to the study, Germany boasts roughly 11% of all cities worldwide with renewables targets.

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direct account

Illustration:a closer look on lightweighting

What exactly is lightweighting?

Find out more about Otto Lilienthal's connection the the energy transition and the lightweight technology that makes it easy to combine economic, resource and energy efficiency. Come this way to find out more!

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Andreas Feicht - State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy

Quote of the week

"Greenhouse gas neutrality is a true game changer. Technological and economic progress are a key prerequisite for mastering this enormous challenge."

Andreas Feicht, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, speaking on 'a career in the energy sector' at the 'Online-PerspektivTag' (online Opportunities Day).

Bild zeigt Zeitungsstapel

What the press say

This time in 'What the press say': How the world's longest submarine power cable is bringing hydropower to Germany, how northern Germany is planning to build up its hydrogen economy and what energy transition and climate action issues are being discussed at the online Berlin Energy Days.

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direct reports

  • A research network shaping the future of hydrogen

    In German only
    How can hydrogen be generated, transported and used in an efficient and safe manner? This is the question experts from the worlds of research, industry and politics have been discussing since autumn 2020 as part of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy's newly established research network on hydrogen. Their recommendations will be fed into a research agenda detailing the need for research and development activities on hydrogen technologies and will provide important input for Germany's future funding policies. Experts from industrial companies, associations and research institutes who are interested in shaping this exciting process are welcome to join the network and can take part in further networking activities any time. The research network is part of the Federal Government's National Hydrogen Strategy.

  • Energy Days 2021 – controversial, constructive, climate-friendly

    In German only
    From 21 to 23 and from 28 to 30 April 2021, energy transition stakeholders from politics, business and academia are coming together for the online Energy Days 2021 that are being held under the motto 'controversial, constructive, climate-friendly'. More than 300 speakers will engage in dialogue across around 100 fora and discuss the urgent energy and climate policy challenges that lie ahead. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier will also attend the conference and speak on the importance of energy efficiency for meeting the climate targets on 28 April (at 15 hrs). On 22 April, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy will host two events, with the first session focusing on the renovation wave in Europe and Germany (13 hrs) and the second looking at buildings and neighbourhoods supplied with high levels of renewable energy (15:45 hrs). Registration for the Energy Days is free of charge.

  • Launch of the Northern Germany Regulatory Sandbox

    In German only
    How can green hydrogen be used to link up the industrial sector, transport and heat supply in a way that reduces large amounts of carbon dioxide emissions? This is the challenge that is being taken on by the Northern Germany Regulatory Sandbox which was launched on 1 April 2021. It is one of the largest Regulatory Sandboxes for the Energy Transition and is receiving more than €52 million of funding. The goal of the regulatory sandboxes is to accelerate the process of translating research innovations into practical applications. The Northern Germany Regulatory Sandbox is to make the region's energy supply fit for the future use of hydrogen. With a focus on four geographical centres across Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, strategies for integrated sector coupling with an emphasis on hydrogen will be developed and energy-efficient neighbourhood systems for the heating sector devised.

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