3 ms·

One should also not forget that Germany's nuclear industry is identical with its fossil-energy industry: RWE, Vattenfall, E.ON/PreussenElectra, EnBW. (STEAG is

One should also not forget that Germany's nuclear industry is identical with its fossil-energy industry: RWE, Vattenfall, E.ON/PreussenElectra, EnBW. (STEAG is the only major fossil-energy company that was not involved in nuclear energy.) The situation Germany finds itself in today is the direct result of these companies lobbying the various Merkel governments between 2005 and 2021. Instead of relying heavily on renewables, too much emphasis was placed on coal and gas when nuclear power was phased out. These companies were able to continue operating their old coal-fired power plants for a very long time, despite strong opposition, especially from the Green party. Of all the parties represented in parliament, it was the Greens that was most critical about this policy in the last two decades. It was the Greens who, from the very beginning of his presidency, repeatedly and most strongly spoke out against Putin, his criminal warfare and suppression of human rights. It was the Greens who criticised North Stream 2 the most. It is the Greens, whose supporters today are most strongly in favour of a ban on imports of Russian gas and oil[1], and most strongly advocate the supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine.[2] Guess whose judgement I trust the most, both with regard to the war in Ukraine and for a future energy policy. [1] https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/bilder/crchart-7833~_v-videowebl.jpg https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/bilder/crchart-7833~_v-... [2] https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/bilder/crchart-7837~_v-videowebl.jpg https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/bilder/crchart-7837~_v-...

ajmurmann 5y ago
That nuclear power plants are operated by fossil-energy companies explains why I keep hearing from Germany that the companies running the nuclear plants have no interest in expanding their life at this point.
- bayesian_horse 5y ago
  It has more to do with profits. Companies tend to take profitable opportunities. Nuclear power isn't that profitable if governments insists on those pesky regulations.
nullc 5y ago
> Instead of relying heavily on renewables, too much emphasis was placed on coal and gas when nuclear power was phased out What power source do you recommend they use to level off supply when solar/wind aren't producing?
- nmehner 5y ago
  Germany has about 40GWh of pumped water storage. This is used for extending solar into the evening/morning (on a typical day about 1300GWh of electricity are consumed in total). About 5% of electricity need can be provided by Norway through pumped storage (Norway has a storage capacity of about 100TWh, but the grid is limited). Much more storage will be needed in the future, but many storage projects have been delayed since the demand for them is not there yet. Rarely 50% of the available coal production capacity is used. There will be spare capacity available for the near future even if a lot more coal plants are shut down.

ajmurmann 5y ago

That nuclear power plants are operated by fossil-energy companies explains why I keep hearing from Germany that the companies running the nuclear plants have no interest in expanding their life at this point.

bayesian_horse 5y ago
It has more to do with profits. Companies tend to take profitable opportunities. Nuclear power isn't that profitable if governments insists on those pesky regulations.

nullc 5y ago

> Instead of relying heavily on renewables, too much emphasis was placed on coal and gas when nuclear power was phased out What power source do you recommend they use to level off supply when solar/wind aren't producing?

nmehner 5y ago
Germany has about 40GWh of pumped water storage. This is used for extending solar into the evening/morning (on a typical day about 1300GWh of electricity are consumed in total). About 5% of electricity need can be provided by Norway through pumped storage (Norway has a storage capacity of about 100TWh, but the grid is limited). Much more storage will be needed in the future, but many storage projects have been delayed since the demand for them is not there yet. Rarely 50% of the available coal production capacity is used. There will be spare capacity available for the near future even if a lot more coal plants are shut down.