12 Herculean tasks

Since the name »Apollo« had already been taken by the moon mission, another great hero of antiquity was chosen to lend his name to, and act as a figurehead for, Germany’s energy system transformation. And it’s an appropriate choice, for Hercules proved that he was more than equal to a challenge. King Eurystheus required him to perform 12 »labours«, many of which involved capturing or killing extremely dangerous mythical creatures. This 12-point structure can be applied to energy system transformation as well. The new Herculean tasks are therefore to:

Herculean task 1

clean up the massive »coal mountain«

Herculean task 2

set up a large-scale solar energy system

Herculean task 3

set up a large-scale wind energy system

Herculean task 4

set up a large-scale
stationary battery
energy storage system

Herculean task 5

launch a hydrogen
economy

Herculean task 6

create balancing power plant capacity

Herculean task 7

establish a smart energy grid

Herculean task 8

shape a new world of mobility

Herculean task 9

create an efficient
supply of heating and cooling

Herculean task 10

establish a new
operating system for
the energy supply

Herculean task 11

develop a financing strategy

Herculean task 12

Energiewende – an Herculean task