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> The graphs are clear: coal shrunk from 33% to 26% of electric power generation last year. Some people expected an increase. This is in part due to the fact t

> The graphs are clear: coal shrunk from 33% to 26% of electric power generation last year. Some people expected an increase. This is in part due to the fact that Germany is now able to import more energy compared to 2022 which saw a decrease in gas availability but also a reduction in nuclear energy production in France due to technical issues.

Arnt 3y ago
Sure. The amount of coal burned decreased by about 30%, and the decrease would have been different if this/that. It would not have been an increase though, and the people who predicted an increase ended up being wrong by a large factor. The question is just exactly how large.
KingOfCoders 3y ago
No, just take a look at installed power in Germany. https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image/public/paragraphs/images/fig1-installed-net-power-generation-capacity-germany-2002-2023.png https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/default/files/styles/g...
- LunaSea 3y ago
  Installed power is meaningless. The question is if you are producing enough energy at the time where it is needed by the consumers.
  - KingOfCoders 3y ago
    1. Germany is an energy exporter 3/4th of the year. In the quarter where Germany does import energy, it so because Germany is not needing enough energy and power plants are turned off. When Germany imports energy, coal based energy in Germany is 50% down. Imports are replacing coal. (Which should be obvious, because running coal plants has fuel costs, solar and wind have no fuel operating costs) 2. This is a 18th century view. Modern states since the 19th century operate on the comparative advantage idea. e.G. Germany imports nearly 100% of electronics (toys, tools) it is using. Countries do not need to produce everything they need, they can import from other countries.
    - LunaSea 3y ago
      > 1. Germany is an energy exporter 3/4th of the year. Do you have a source for this? The sources I seem to find contradict this assertion: - https://www.iea.org/countries/germany/energy-mix#:~:text=Energy%20imports%20and%20exports https://www.iea.org/countries/germany/energy-mix#:~:text=Ene... - https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanys-dependence-imported-fossil-fuels#:~:text=4.%20Germany%27s%20import%20dependence https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanys-dependen... > 2. This is a 18th century view. Modern states since the 19th century operate on the comparative advantage idea. e.G. Germany imports nearly 100% of electronics (toys, tools) it is using. Countries do not need to produce everything they need, they can import from other countries. This is not how energy works, especially not renewable energy. When it's sunny in Germany, neighbouring countries will also be producing and trying to export solar energy at the same time.
  - KingOfCoders 3y ago
    If all cars (trucks not included) in Germany would be EVs, those could store all (!) the electric energy needed for 2 days.
    - LunaSea 3y ago
      Why should an electric car owner lend their very expensive car's batteries for public use?
      - Arnt 3y ago
        For money. To buy power when cheap and sell when expensive.
sgt 3y ago
What is that imported energy based on?
- youngtaff 3y ago
  Mainly gas and wind

Arnt 3y ago

Sure. The amount of coal burned decreased by about 30%, and the decrease would have been different if this/that. It would not have been an increase though, and the people who predicted an increase ended up being wrong by a large factor. The question is just exactly how large.

KingOfCoders 3y ago

No, just take a look at installed power in Germany. https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_image/public/paragraphs/images/fig1-installed-net-power-generation-capacity-germany-2002-2023.png https://www.cleanenergywire.org/sites/default/files/styles/g...

LunaSea 3y ago
Installed power is meaningless. The question is if you are producing enough energy at the time where it is needed by the consumers.
- KingOfCoders 3y ago
  1. Germany is an energy exporter 3/4th of the year. In the quarter where Germany does import energy, it so because Germany is not needing enough energy and power plants are turned off. When Germany imports energy, coal based energy in Germany is 50% down. Imports are replacing coal. (Which should be obvious, because running coal plants has fuel costs, solar and wind have no fuel operating costs) 2. This is a 18th century view. Modern states since the 19th century operate on the comparative advantage idea. e.G. Germany imports nearly 100% of electronics (toys, tools) it is using. Countries do not need to produce everything they need, they can import from other countries.
  - LunaSea 3y ago
    > 1. Germany is an energy exporter 3/4th of the year. Do you have a source for this? The sources I seem to find contradict this assertion: - https://www.iea.org/countries/germany/energy-mix#:~:text=Energy%20imports%20and%20exports https://www.iea.org/countries/germany/energy-mix#:~:text=Ene... - https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanys-dependence-imported-fossil-fuels#:~:text=4.%20Germany%27s%20import%20dependence https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanys-dependen... > 2. This is a 18th century view. Modern states since the 19th century operate on the comparative advantage idea. e.G. Germany imports nearly 100% of electronics (toys, tools) it is using. Countries do not need to produce everything they need, they can import from other countries. This is not how energy works, especially not renewable energy. When it's sunny in Germany, neighbouring countries will also be producing and trying to export solar energy at the same time.
- KingOfCoders 3y ago
  If all cars (trucks not included) in Germany would be EVs, those could store all (!) the electric energy needed for 2 days.
  - LunaSea 3y ago
    Why should an electric car owner lend their very expensive car's batteries for public use?
    - Arnt 3y ago
      For money. To buy power when cheap and sell when expensive.

sgt 3y ago

What is that imported energy based on?

youngtaff 3y ago
Mainly gas and wind