Reducing greenhouse gases in Germany by 80 to 95 per cent by the year 2050 requires not only the substantial expansion of renewable energy and further increasing energy efficiency, but also a fundamental transformation of the entire energy system. Hence, the dena Study Integrated Energy Transition is investigating the influence of the energy sectors of electricity, buildings, transport, and industry and their reciprocal effects and interdependencies in order to be able to derive an overall strategy across all sectors. That is because to date, there have been only a few studies which evaluate all sectors including reciprocal effects, even though the various sectors are increasingly dependent on each other e.g. due to increasing electrification. In general, companies’ prospects, practical knowledge and strategic development have been neglected. Also, with respect to infrastructure needs, acceptance and costs, there is too little knowledge to effectively transform the energy system.
The goal of the Study is to make the expertise and requirements of the industry available to successfully design the integrated energy transition. At the same time, the intention is to offer companies guidance by providing a framework for investments and sustainable business models in an integrated energy system. dena has been working with partners from industry and science on identifying the most promising transformation paths to restructure the energy system. Jointly, we devised and evaluated various solutions for all sectors. Apart from the achievement of the climate protection targets, the study also takes into account the economic costs, the effects on the competitiveness of German companies, the security of supply, and societal acceptance. The end result is the development of recommendations for political frameworks to enable climate protection, security of supply and financial success.
The political objectives to transform the energy system by 2050 have been set. They will fundamentally change the markets and business activities in all sectors. However, there is as yet no consensus as to what infrastructure, networks and conditions will be required to achieve this in the coming years. For a successful and affordable energy transition, we need a cross-sectoral discourse with stakeholders from all industries concerned. The dena Study Integrated Energy Transition and its platform for dialogue will drive forward this process across all sectors. Only in this way can we succeed in drafting a reliable orientation framework through which to shape their future. However, for the huge upcoming investments, we need solutions that are not only dictated by policy, but which are developed jointly by the various stakeholders across the different sectors. That is the foundation for investments in infrastructure and new business models, as well as for the opening up of new markets.
