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dena Study

Integrated Energy Transition

The German federal government has set itself the target of achieving an 80–95 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany by 2050 compared to 1990. In addition to considerably increasing energy efficiency, this also requires an increase in the use of electricity from renewable energy sources in all consumption sectors – industry, buildings and mobility. Furthermore, all the producers and consumers from the various sectors must be brought together in a smart energy system and the appropriate technical infrastructures must be created. It is now clear that Germany could set a climate target for 2050 that exceeds the previous range of figures.

As part of EU negotiations in June 2019, the federal government supported the attempt to become carbon neutral by 2050. All in all, this would mean that Germany and the EU would not be permitted to create greenhouse gas emissions that exceeded what they either eliminated elsewhere or collected from the atmosphere. A target of carbon neutrality would create clarity. At the same time, it would also require the consideration of new approaches. dena lists the challenges resulting from this, which have not yet been fully addressed in the German debate.

Study comparison energy transition 2050

Essential findings of the three baseline studies into the feasibility of energy transition by 2050 in Germany

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A comparison of three baseline studies on energy transition

dena Study Integrated Energy Transition

Press Release, Berlin

dena Study Integrated Energy Transition: Germany needs a clear 2050 climate target

Target corridor of 80 to 95 per cent less CO2 emissions can be achieved with various scenarios / Significant increase in energy efficiency and renewable energy required / Synthetic fuels supplement electrification / Kuhlmann: “The integrated energy transition requires integrated policy concepts. There are good reasons to re-think how energy and climate protection policies are shaped.”

Modules of the dena Study Integrated Energy Transition

The dena Study Integrated Energy Transition examines the impact of energy production and distribution, building, mobility and industry sectors as well as their interactions and dependencies with a view to designing an integrated, climate-friendly energy system in 2050.

To do so, dena is working with more than 60 partners from industry and science on identifying the most promising transformation paths to restructure the energy system. The four modules of the study are:

Module: Mobility

What does the schedule for the phaseout of fossil fuels in the transport sector look like? From when will the development of an independent hydrogen infrastructure be necessary? Which future role will refineries play in the production of energy sources?

Module: Industry

Which technologies are required to reduce emissions in energy-intensive industry sectors, such as the production of aluminium and steel? What is the role of demand-side management?

Module: Buildings

What does the development of the energy mix in the building sector look like? Which measures need to be introduced in both new and existing buildings in order to achieve the heating transition targets? These are questions answered in the module Buildings.

Module: Energy production and distribution

What are realistic transformation paths for the energy system? Which regional and supra-regional infrastructure requirements can be expected for electricity, gas, and heating? Which adjustments would be necessary in the case of increasing electrification? What is the function of the European internal market?

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