The Global Energy Challenge: Germany’s “Energiewende” and Beyond

Global energy demand is expected to rise dramatically as the world's population grows, economies flourish, and standards of living increase. On March 31, 2014, one of Germany’s most highly esteemed scientists will present at the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) in New York on alternative energy solutions and Germany’s national energy policy.

NEW YORK (March 25, 2014) – Germany has long been a recognized leader in environmental protection and clean energy initiatives. At present, the country receives almost a quarter of its energy from renewables. By 2025, it plans to have increased this number to 45 percent. While Germany currently imports 70 percent of its energy, its national energy policy, the “Energiewende,” strives to reduce this import dependence as a means of heightening power security. This policy, a mix of market-based instruments and regulation, was designed to tackle climate change, diminish and eliminate the risk of nuclear power, and stimulate technology innovation in the green economy.

Although the German “Energiewende” was already in place before the nuclear energy phase-out by 2022 was decided, this decision heightened the urgency of some energy-related policy decisions. Germany plans to reduce its C02 emissions from the energy sector by 80 percent by 2050 and cover 80 percent of its electricity needs in the industry with renewable energy. Total energy demand will need to be met with at least 60 percent renewables.

Meeting these goals will require drastic changes to the energy system. Although many of the elements for such a (r)evolution are already in place, other technologies still remain in the research stage. Various forms of renewable energy, such as wind energy and photovoltaics, are currently being used on a large scale in Germany. Others, such as geothermal energy, have not yet reached technological maturity. Electromobility will become a key element in future mobility systems. Energy storage, grid extension, and demand-side management will persist as crucial issues facing future energy systems.

On Monday, March 31, 2014, join Prof. Dr. Ferdi Schüth, Director of the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung in Mülheim an der Ruhr, for a timely discussion on the evolving global energy picture. His presentation will address the technological challenges and solutions associated with the Energiewende, as well as the related societal and political issues.

Prof. Dr. Schüth has served as Vice President of the German Research Foundation (DFG) since 2007 and is also a recipient of the organization's Leibniz Prize, Germany's most prestigious science award. He studied Chemistry and Law at the University of Münster, where he received his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 1988. He was a Postdoc at the University of Minneapolis in the Chemical Engineering Department in 1988/89 and completed his Habilitation in Inorganic Chemistry from the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in 1995. From 1995 to 1998, he served as Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. Since 1998, he has been Director at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung, and since 1999, also Honorary Professor at the Ruhr University Bochum. As an elected member of Leopoldina, The German National Academy of Sciences, he coordinated the ad-hoc statement on energy research policy following the events in Fukushima. His most recent awards include the 2013 Chemical Engineering Medal from the ETH Zürich, the 2012 Wilhelm Klemm Prize from the German Chemical Society, and the 2010 Werner Heisenberg Medal from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

He will be joined by Bernd Reindl, Consul for Political and Scientific Development of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in New York, who will provide the welcome remarks.

Dr. Eva-Maria Streier, Director of the New York Office of the German Research Foundation (DFG), will moderate the discussion.

This event will take place on Monday, March 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the German Center for Research and Innovation (871 United Nations Plaza, First Avenue, btw. 48th & 49th Streets). To RSVP by March 27, please click here.

Unable to attend? Follow @gcri_ny and the hashtag #Energiewende for live tweets. A video recording will be available on www.germaninnovation.org shortly after the event.

This event is co-sponsored by the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) and the German Research Foundation (DFG).

The German Center for Research and Innovation provides information and support for the realization of cooperative and collaborative projects between North America and Germany. With the goal of enhancing communication on the critical challenges of the 21st century, GCRI hosts a wide range of events from lectures and exhibitions to workshops and science dinners. Opened in February 2010, GCRI was created as a cornerstone of the German government’s initiative to internationalize science and research and is one of five centers worldwide.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Audet
Communications Officer
German Center for Research and Innovation
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Audet@GermanInnovation.org
(212) 339 8680, ext. 302

This release was published on openPR.