Energiewende – an Herculean task

Germany’s current consumption of primary energy, in the form of coal, oil, gas and uranium, is approximately 4000 TWh per year. We use this primary energy to power our electricity, heat and transport sectors. If we pull out all the stops on energy efficiency, we can reduce this figure by 1500 TWh.

A further saving of 1500 TWh can be made by minimising the conversion loss that is inevitable in thermal engines – whether power plants or car engines – due to the laws of thermodynamics. Avoiding this loss when using renewable energies will reduce the total final energy demand to 1000 TWh.

This is the first and quite simple goal of the Hercules master plan:

1000 TWh total final energy for Germany

This amount can realistically be achieved with the right mix of energies from renewable sources. But what is the right mix? Find out from the diagram taken from the Fraunhofer IEE (formerly Fraunhofer IWES) Report »Energiekonzept 2050«.