book emitting light
Energy research

Reading matter: the 'Smart Energy Showcases'

For a period of five years, some 300 companies, research institutions and municipalities have been testing the digital energy future and developing solutions to address it. The results are now available in black and white, with five thematic reports released in addition to publications on the individual showcases.

Find out more

direct view

Energy research: a varied research landscape for the energy transition

Innovations for the energy transition

The objective of German energy research is to pave the way for a climate-neutral energy system and ensure that the energy supply remains reliable and affordable in the future. The '2021 Federal Report on Energy Research' documents the progress made so far.

Find out more

steel workers at blast furnace
Energy policy

Transformation of the steel industry is gaining traction

The Federal Government is providing an additional €5 billion for the swift transformation of energy-intensive industries. More specifically, this money will be used to promote the use of hydrogen in industry, a programme to decarbonise the industrial sector, and a pilot project for climate contracts.

Find out more

Peter Altmaier - Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy

Quote of the week

'We want to lower our carbon emissions by 65% by 2030 and become climate-neutral as early as 2045. We are reaching out to the young generation, whilst also giving businesses the certainty they need to plan their investments.'

Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, commenting on the Climate Action Act

Bild zeigt Zeitungsstapel

What the press say

This time in 'What the press say': How we will soon be able to generate hydrogen in our own backyards, how cities are meeting their climate targets using synergies, and how much electricity the first large U.S. offshore wind farm is to generate.

Find out more

direct reports

  • Update for the EU Industrial Strategy

    In early May, the European Commission tabled an updated version of the EU Industrial Strategy, which is to help speed up the decarbonisation of industry. In this new version, the Commission is revealing its plans for some important decisions and proposals, including plans for a sector-specific carbon-adjustment mechanism. Under this mechanism, a levy could be collected on certain goods imported into the EU as of 2023 – unless the exporting countries also have an ambitious climate policy in place. The updated version of the Industrial Strategy also contains proposals on how the industrial sector could access electricity from renewables at competitive prices. There is also a proposal for an EU ‘carbon contracts for difference’ pilot programme, the revenue of which would go towards the higher operational cost of climate-friendly key-enabling technologies, especially those used in steel and hydrogen production.

  • Expert forum on energy proves very popular

    In German only
    There is global demand for energy-friendly climate technology. In late April, German manufacturers were given an opportunity to bring themselves up to speed on support mechanisms, forward-looking markets, and export opportunities, and to discuss these issues at an expert forum on energy organised by the Ministry’s Energy Export Initiative and its bilateral energy partnerships on the occasion of the German Trade and Investment Days. Andreas Feicht, the Ministry’s State Secretary in charge of energy policy, presented the Federal Government’s Energy Strategy and the manifold support and funding programmes offered by the Economic Affairs Ministry as part of its work to promote foreign trade and investment around climate-friendly energy technologies and services. Businesses reported on their own experience, including the most difficult challenges they had to face when entering foreign markets. The second part of the event was dedicated to the bilateral energy partnerships and the National Hydrogen Strategy, and the way in which these can help German companies gain a foothold on foreign markets.

You can subscribe to the Energy Transition

Order the international edition of the "Energiewende direkt" Newsletter here.