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Worldwide investments in renewable energy (RE) have doubled between 2007 and 2011 while the financial crisis has led to stricter regulations. The paper describes the impacts of risk provision requirements on financing costs of RE investments. The risk assessment indicates that under the given conditions in Germany, policy and market risks are considered to be zero. Technical, performance and other risks are to be around 1.6 to 2.1 % p.a. So therefore, yield risk is left as the only determining default risk of RE investments. The risk provisions of RE investments are compared to the RE default risks by applying a simple cash-flow model. The findings show that risk provisions are not adequate for default risks and increase financing costs, and hence investment costs, in German PV and onshore wind generation plant, by up to EUR 13 million for large PV plants and EUR 8 million for wind parks (2011). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares two flagship policies in the area of energy efficient building refurbishment, the German CO2-Building Rehabilitation Programme and the Green Deal in the UK. Although both policies are essentially loan programmes to finance energy efficiency measures, the nature of the two policies is very different regarding scope, financial architecture, integration with other policies, and carbon reductions. The paper draws out the main differences of the programmes as well as similarities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the potential for Domestic Offset Projects (DPs) in climate protection in Germany. DPs are unilateral GHG emissions reduction projects carried out in a country with a binding greenhouse gas emission reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex I Country). In contrast to the well known project-based mechanisms under the Kyoto protocol — the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI) — Domestic Offset Projects are located in the same country as the investor. Therefore tradable emission reduction certificates for DPs are issued by the investor's domestic authority. This paper presents possible implementation options for DPs based on JI and CDM experience, as well as possible implementation problems. Policy additionaIity seems to be an especially crucial requirement and thus was analysed in more detail. In addition. the emission reduction potential resulting from DPs was estimated for the Federal, state of Baden-Wümemberg, in South-West Germany. Here, it is shown that the scope for DPs is restricted because of the extent of the German climate program. In Baden-Württemberg only some DPs and JI activities fulfil the criterion of policy additionality. For this reason, DPs are probably of more interest in Annex-1 countries with a more limited climate policy mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy market liberalisation, concerns about environmental pollution and climate change, and the dependence on fossil fuel imports render the adoption and diffusion of distributed generation technologies a field of research increasingly recognised as important. This paper contains a brief overview of both commercially available and close-to-market distributed co-generation (CHP) technologies and fields of application. It also provides a thorough investigation on the adoption and diffusion of engine-based CHP systems in the German market since 1960. The empirical analysis is mainly based on a detailed data set of nearly 5,000 such systems installed in Germany until 1998. It makes use of descriptive data analysis, net present value calculations, and micro-econometric (hazard rate) modelling. We further assess market diffusion from 1998 until today and future diffusion prospects, and discuss impacts on the development that stem from liberalisation-driven energy market transformation processes. The results show that economic considerations alone do not suffice to explain the adoption decisions taken by investors, and also present some new insights with regard to the use of hazard rate models in the context of energy conversion technology adoption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a concept for the detailed assessment of the costs and benefits of renewable energy technologies deployment. A first quantitative impact assessment of German renewable energy technologies use is conducted from a historical perspective based on this comprehensive method. It includes costs and benefits at three different levels – energy system, micro- and macro-economic. The findings suggest that, at the system level, the generation costs in the electricity and heat sector are partly compensated by positive effects mainly from avoided emissions due to the use of renewable energy technologies in the electricity and heat sector. On the electricity market, small power consumers bear a very large share of the policy costs, while others might even profit from renewable energy technologies use. However, a comprehensive assessment that accounts for all the different negative and positive effects in the long term, including distributional effects, is more challenging. The concept applied here allows a differentiated comparison of a wide range of effects including aggregated costs and benefits as well as how these are distributed across different economic actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact of energy policy and the regulatory environment on the deployment of technologies based on renewable energy sources in Germany and presents a model to forecast future renewable energy technology diffusion. Our concept is based on the development of a composite indicator for renewable energy diffusion with a focus on wind energy (onshore) and photovoltaic. The approach has three major components: in-depth, semi-structured interviews with renewable energy developers and energy sector stakeholders to identify the major drivers and barriers (determinants) for renewable energy diffusion in the case study country; an EU-wide, questionnaire-based survey to understand the relevance (weights) of the individual determinants; and an analysis of past renewable energy diffusion patterns resulting in the deduction of a model for short-term renewable energy technology diffusion forecasts. Results demonstrate the substantial impact of economic and non-economic framework conditions on the diffusion of photovoltaic and wind energy in Germany. Furthermore, the use of composite indicators for renewable energy technology diffusion analyses proves to be a promising approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present millennium records the most devastating effects of global warming than what was evident in the pre-industrial era. The pervasive effects of global warming have raised concerns about the sustainability of the present and future generations. Hence, researchers are working assiduously towards proffering the most effective method of halting the surging emissions from global, regional, and national angles. This study contributes to the extant literature by providing the first empirical verification of how renewable energy, technological innovations, trade openness, and transport services impact carbon emissions in Germany. The empirical evidence is anchored on annual time series data from 1990 to 2020 estimated using the novel nonlinear ARDL to explore the positive and negative shocks associated with the short and long-run nexus. The wavelet coherence estimator is equally for ascertaining the multiple time scales in the time series and extends the knowledge frontier to the literature. The following findings are eminent from the overall analyses. First, long-run cointegration is supported among the variables of interest Second, only the adverse effects of renewable energy and technology are substantial enough to mitigate carbon emissions. The trade-induced emissions are established with the positive impacts of trade openness on carbon emissions. Transport services contribute significantly to carbon emissions in the long-run and short-run periods. However, mitigating effects of small magnitude are apparent in the long-run due to the perceived transition to green transportation. Policy implications supporting the transition to 100% renewable energy and green transportation are significant steps towards achieving Germany's carbon neutrality target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several researchers have focused on the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis to analyze environmental degradation using carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and ecological footprint as dependent variables. However, analyzes based on these variables neglect the supply side of environmental sustainability. To address this shortcoming, this study aims to examine the determinants of the ecological footprint pressure index (EFPI) in the context of the EKC hypothesis. The EFPI provides a more detailed picture of environmental issues by considering both ecological footprint and biocapacity. Thus, the study aims to add scientific value to the existing literature by analyzing the EFPI under the EKC hypothesis for the first time. Building on this, our research investigates the effects of economic complexity (ECX), per capita income, and renewable energy consumption (REC) on the EFPI by adopting a novel econometric approach. The results of the Fourier autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) method show a cointegration relationship between income, ECX, renewable energy and EFPI in Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. The long-term elasticities indicate that ECX reduces the EFPI in Germany and Switzerland, while renewable energy mitigates environmental pressure in Switzerland and Sweden. Our findings also confirm the validity of the EKC hypothesis for Germany and Sweden. Based on these findings, the study suggests that ECX, renewable energy and economic growth can all be used as policy instruments to reduce environmental pressure in the three member states of the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standard environmental economics predicts that market-based policy instruments have a much more positive influence on innovation than command and control policies which are classified as hampering innovations. However, the environmental policy analysis approach from political science downplays the role of policy instruments and stresses the importance of other factors. Against this theoretical background, the paper presents the results of two case studies which analysed the effects of command and control policies in the heating sector. Based on these empirical findings, first conclusions are drawn about the role of energy policy instruments in shaping innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the effect of electricity sector liberalisation on the development of distributed generation. It examines the conditions in which these new electricity generating technologies can be diffused in a liberalised framework. This analysis reveals that the institutional framework in which distributed generation must operate and the price signals given to electricity sector actors play as big a part as traditional incentives, certificates, bidding systems or guaranteed feed-in tariffs in driving the deployment process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australia currently has significantly less wind power capacity than Germany, the world leader, but has a much larger land area with considerable untapped wind energy resources. Australia like the rest of the world has experienced a rapid increase in its wind power industry over the last decade, particularly in the southern states, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria. However, the rapidity in the development of wind power projects has caused controversy and criticism of inadequate planning and inconsistency in environmental impact assessment. This paper examines the implications of the rapid growth in Australian wind power in terms of the need for a strategic approach to environmental assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on two symposiums that discussed issues related to the Kyoto Protocol conference on global warming. The International Symposium on the Greenhouse Controversy, held in Leipzig, Germany concluded that the emission control policies deriving from the Kyoto conference lack underlying scientific analysis. Another symposium, featuring statistician and sceptical environmentalist Bjorn Lomborg, noted that even with limited budget, the Kyoto Protocol is not worthwhile.

The article discusses the energy policies and regulation worldwide as of February 2014 to April 2014. It states the use of armed forces in Germany due to the dramatic threats, as depicted by country's federal president. It mentions the attempt of Israel to sabotage the U.S. and Iran negotiations regarding on nuclear weapons. It also emphasizes the ban of weapon exporting in Japan to restore nuclear power to its energy mix.

When it comes to the construction of an index, one of the main problems is determining the weights that each variable carries. In this article, through models based on the Structural Equation Modelling methodology, an index for the measurement of the evolution of renewable energies is developed, and applied for a group of countries in the European Union. The results show that, in Europe, there are two groups clearly differentiated in terms of their level of development in renewable energy. In the first group, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy stand out while the second group is led by the United Kingdom, and includes countries like Portugal, Finland, and Greece. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses Energiewende, the energy transformation plan of Germany. It mentions that the goals of Energiewende focuses on de-carbonizing energy and on environmental protection. It explores the stand of Chance of Germany Angela Merkel on the said energy transformation plan and on the issue of closing the nuclear reactors in the country.

This article describes and evaluates a number of different financial support instruments for the energy refurbishment of the building stock based on the example of Germany. The key focus is on policy instruments which are not counter-financed by public budgets or where, by other means, investment and planning security for investors is assured. Through such instruments the typical disadvantages of public budget-financed support programs (e.g. insufficient support funds, frequent changes to support conditions) should be alleviated. Five different policy instruments are examined in terms of their legal viability and evaluated according to functionality criteria. The article closes with a recommended time frame for the implementation of an effective set of policy instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve national or EU-wide energy efficiency targets, a variety of policies is available. Apart from the traditional set of regulative, financial, fiscal and informative instruments, market-oriented instruments as e.g. energy efficiency obligations (EEOs) become more and more important. The new EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) even suggests EEOs as the preferred instrument for promoting energy efficiency in all Member States. Their actual impact, however, depends highly on the national framework. With a multi-criteria, semi-quantitative approach we evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these instruments, taking Germany as an example. The evaluation shows that none of the instruments alone can achieve the prescribed energy efficiency targets, but that a mix of instruments is necessary. The possibility of a budget-independence of the funding in particular supports a supplementary deployment of new market-oriented instruments such as an EEO as part of the future mix of policy instruments in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past, many countries have financed schemes to promote energy efficiency and renewable heat generation mainly through public budgets; support schemes to renewable electricity already have a broader financing basis but have been criticised for providing too little incentives for market integration of renewables. This is why it is essential to overhaul the existing financing instruments by tapping new financing sources in addition to the state budgets and by making them more efficient. This objective is examined in four areas: market-oriented financing schemes for energy efficiency options, financing options for the thermal renovation of the building stock, efficient schemes for renewable electricity generation and future promotion schemes for renewable energy sources for heat generation. The special issue shows that many financing options are either able to mobilise private capital or to supplement public capital in order to provide the additional investments needed for energy efficiency and renewables. The task which remains at the policy level is to establish an efficient framework based on a mixture of private and public funds which mitigates the risks for companies, is tailored to the technological needs and triggers synergetic policies addressing non-economic barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feed-in tariffs for renewable electricity have proven to be an effective and cost-efficient instrument because they provide long-term investment security; however, they do not incentivize grid and market integration. Feed-in premiums are a relatively novel instrument designed with the objective of keeping investment risks low while allowing for improved grid and market integration. This article analyses the German feed-in premium. The evaluation of the operation during the first year gives first indications that the market premium can contribute to the system and market integration of renewable energies, while still maintaining investment security. First impacts can be seen in the following fields: diversity of market actors, forecast accuracy, improved remote control and participation in the reserve markets. In general, it can be concluded that the German market premium has been able to trigger significant developments. However, additional assessments of the instrument are necessary in order to see whether the observed changes are sustainable and lead to the expected developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, the Kinderkrebs in der Umgebung von KernKraftwerken (KiKK) study in Germany reported a 60% increase in solid cancer incidence and a 120% increase in leukaemia incidence among children living within 5 km of all German nuclear power stations. The study has triggered debates as to the cause(s) of these increased cancers. This article reports on the findings of the KiKK study; discusses past and more recent epidemiological studies of leukaemias near nuclear installations around the world, and outlines a possible biological mechanism to explain the increased cancers. In essence, this suggests that doses to embryos/foetuses in pregnant women from environmental emissions from nuclear power plants (NPPs) may be larger than suspected, and that haematopoietic tissues may be considerably more radiosensitive in embryos/foetuses than in children and adults. The article concludes with recommendations for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The year 2006 offered us the opportunity to obtain clarity about whether, and to which extent, the German government has remained faithful to the goals of the climate policy it set at the beginning of the nineties. Present data only show a decline of energy-induced CO2 emissions in Germany's old states of some 28 million t (or 4%) from 1990 to 2005. This means that the 25% emissions reduction target set by the German government back in 1990 - before reunification - has been missed by a wide margin. Thoughts on re-orientating climate-protection policy in Germany and placing greater emphasis on promoting the research and development of modern energy technologies are presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a world dominated by oil, each country has to design its own energy policy to cope with increasingly scarce stocks of this fossil fuel. Particularly, the United States, France and Germany engaged into significantly different paths coping with challenging constraints such as ensuring economic growth, security of energy supply, and respect of the environment. The impact of these energy policies on the development of renewable energies has been assessed by analyzing each national policy from the economic, political, and technological standpoints. The results of this study provides some explanations of tactical moves made by these energy hungry economies to cope with the increasing pressure put on the oil supply market and to prepare for a future where green energies are bound to play an increasingly important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the negotiations in the phasing out of the nuclear power generation in Germany. Tax and regulatory privileges in pro-nuclear alliance; Revision of nuclear policy guidelines; Lack of support from the anti-nuclear movements for the government's phase-out strategy.

In many industrial countries voluntary commitments are emerging as anew instrument for energy policy to reduce greenhouse gases. This paper examines the latest version of the German Industry's Declaration on Climate Protection from 1996. The statistical analysis shows that the largest part of the German Industry's commitments for 2005 were already reached in 1994 and 1995, thus prior to signing the Declaration. This result corresponds to economic theory that in an open competition-based economy, companies cannot do more for the environment thanthe market allows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]