Abstract
The transition toward an energy system based on renewable resources is a trans-national challenge that requires coordinated policies among governments. As a consequence, it is one of the European Union’s (EU’s) major objectives to bring forward directives that lead to an efficient internal market for electricity. This market is supposed to ensure security of power supply and consumer benefits based on increasing competition between energy utilities. Germany plays an important role in this development because of its geographic location at the center of Europe, its economic capacity, and its political influence. The German government has expressed in different position papers, initiatives, and legislative measures that there is a strong political will to be a forerunner in the global transition to a system based on renewable energy sources. A Smart Grid infrastructure is an integral part of this future energy system. And even though, for example, smart meter roll-out is more advanced in other countries (e.g. Italy and Sweden), Germany is being observed with regard to an integrated, long-term approach to Smart Grids.
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Notes
- 1.
The Federal Network Agency (in German: Bundesnetzagentur für Elektrizität, Gas, Telekommunikation, Post und Eisenbahn (BNetzA)) is a separate higher federal authority within the scope of business of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).
- 2.
For example, the Bavarian Regulatory Authority is responsible for these smaller utilities within the state of Bavaria. See Bavarian Regulatory Authority (2012).
- 3.
The legal basis is based on the Anreizregulierungsverordnung (ARegV 2012).
- 4.
The first Electricity Feed Act (“Stromeinspeisungsgesetz”) consisted only of three paragraphs. See the references for a link to an archived version (in German).
- 5.
For solar and wind power the percentage was set at 90 %, for other sources such as biomass and hydro 75 % of the residential price had to be paid.
- 6.
Also known as the “Act on Granting Priority to Renewable Energy Sources.” In German, it is called the “ErneuerbareEnergien Gesetz (EEG).” A link to the English translation of the law that passed the German Bundestag on February 25, 2000, can be found in the references. See EEG (2000).
- 7.
See de Jager and Rathmann (2008) for an international comparison and details on the characteristics of the German implementation of feed-in tariffs.
- 8.
A link to the amendment of 2011 can be found in the references (EEG 2011). Previous amendments were enacted in 2004 and 2009.
- 9.
The data are based on the most recent report (in 2011) by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi). The so-called “Breitbandatlas” provides a regular monitor of the current state of broadband penetration in Germany and its regions.
- 10.
Detailed information is available at a dedicated website: www.zukunft-breitband.de/(last accessed: May 1, 2012).
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Mayrhofer, P., Römer, B. (2013). Germany’s Transition Toward an Energy System Based on Renewable Resources: An Overview. In: Noam, E., Pupillo, L., Kranz, J. (eds) Broadband Networks, Smart Grids and Climate Change. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5266-9_10
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