Transforming the economy
A healthy economy and a successful energy tran-sition are mutually dependent. Together, they can secure prosperity and competitiveness.
The path to climate neutrality is a task for society as a whole. Further developing our economy is crucial to ensuring competitiveness and thus social prosperity. How can German companies decarbonise? What approaches are there for energy-intensive industry? And how can mobility be organised - taking into account economic, social and individual needs?
A clever mix of measures is crucial
The industry and trade, commerce and services sectors together account for over 40 per cent of German energy consumption. Well over 50 per cent of the energy used here is based on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, but also coal and oil. In the industrial sector, more than two thirds of this is used as process heat and around 20 per cent for propulsion purposes. In trade, commerce and services, space heating accounts for around 50 per cent of energy consumption. For a successful transformation of a company into an industrial or commercial sector, different approaches are needed. The decisive factor is the combination of energy efficiency measures and the switch to renewable energy sources.
Strategically efficient
The first and central starting point for companies is to increase energy efficiency. By systematically analysing their own energy consumption and identifying and exploiting their efficiency potential, they can benefit in several ways: In addition to cost reductions, investments in corresponding services and products also bring more expertise and innovations in the company's own processes and products.
Through various projects, dena supports companies in tapping into this potential and embedding it in an overall transformation strategy.
Rethinking production
Manufacturing companies, whether in industry or trade, are central to the German economy. They account for a third of German value creation. However, their production processes are often associated with high greenhouse gas emissions. This applies in particular to the traditional branches of industry in the chemical and metal processing industries. The aim of the transformation is to make these production processes more efficient and, in the long term, climate-neutral. In some cases, this requires the reinvention of processes, technical innovations and digitalisation in order to optimally control the systems.
Consistently renewing energy sources
In addition to increasing efficiency, the switch to renewables as a key energy source is crucial for companies on their path to climate neutrality. Electrification allows many applications to be converted to renewable energies. One simple measure is to switch to appropriate electricity supply contracts. More demanding, but also economically attractive, is a greater self-supply of electricity, for example through photovoltaic systems on the company premises. It is important to consider and implement options for storing and flexibilising electricity demand at the same time. In this way, the sometimes fluctuating energy production can be balanced out by renewables within the company itself.
Many energy applications, such as steel production, require very high temperature levels. These combustion processes, which are often gas-based, primarily require a switch to synthetic energy sources based on renewable energies such as green hydrogen.
Carbon management
Despite all the efforts and changes in the economy: Not all climate-damaging emissions are avoidable. This applies, for example, to waste disposal, the chemical raw materials industry and the cement and construction industries. Here, the targeted capture and utilisation or storage of carbon can contribute to a balanced carbon footprint.
Utilise waste heat
The waste heat generated during production processes often accounts for a significant proportion of energy consumption. In addition to process heat, typical "sources" also include cooling and air conditioning systems or server rooms. Energy consumption is growing rapidly, particularly in the area of information and communication technology: More and more data requires more and more energy, for example in data centres. A lot of waste heat is also generated here.
Utilising this energy in a targeted manner is an important component of a climate neutrality strategy for companies. Modernising and insulating the systems already brings positive results. Energy can be utilised internally in the waste heat cascade or as space heating for the company's own offices. It can be fed into a local and district heating network or - with the ongoing reorganisation of the electricity grid - can also be used to generate electricity.
Circular economy
Switching to a circular economic model can offer advantages for manufacturing companies. However, this means a far-reaching change to the entire value chain. From product development and the selection of raw materials to the design of business models, all processes are being reorganised. This includes the use of recycled materials and the optimisation of resource efficiency. Other elements include the development of modular and repairable products and the creation of take-back and reuse structures.
Mobility
Tapping the potential in the transport sector is a key prerequisite for achieving Germany's energy transition and climate protection targets. The transport sector accounts for around 30 per cent of German energy consumption. Over 80 per cent of this energy is used in road transport and around 15 per cent in air traffic. 90 per cent of the energy used is still based on crude oil.
Drives and fuels
There are various ways of reducing the dominant consumption of crude oil and cutting emissions: Battery electric drives, fuel cell vehicles, hybrid vehicles and, to a certain extent, combustion engines with alternative fuels. Market maturity, availability, acquisition and operating costs vary considerably. The development of electric vehicles is particularly dynamic, with more and more models and increasing ranges.
Efficient e-mobiles
The choice of drive technology alone harbours enormous potential for saving energy and reducing CO2 emissions: The combustion engine only converts 20 to 30 per cent of the energy used into motion. The electric motor is three to four times more efficient. At the same time, the electric vehicle can be "refuelled" with renewable energy.
Added to this are the advantages of the vehicle battery: It can utilise self-produced electricity or different electricity prices at different times of day. As a storage system, it plays a role in the energy system.
These advantages make it attractive for logistics companies, for example, to invest in electric cars. By setting up sustainable vehicle fleets and their own charging infrastructures, they and other companies are drivers of sustainable mobility. Public sector companies play a pioneering role, for example in local transport: By electrifying buses and other commercial vehicles, they are actively contributing to market development.
Investments in infrastructure
A well-developed infrastructure is a prerequisite for a transformation of mobility. The need for investment in the various modes of transport is great. Road infrastructure accounts for the largest share of transport performance, but requires a particularly large amount of space and investment, for example for the development of a nationwide charging infrastructure for e-mobility.
Shifting more people and goods to rail also requires considerable investment: in tracks, stations - and digitalisation to make public transport more flexible and user-friendly.
