"Katherina Reiche's power plants using gas are perfectly suitably designed"
Each winter, we face an average of two periods of low wind power, lasting between 2 to 8 days. Economics Minister Katherina Reiche is determined to secure these extreme cases with 20 gigawatts (GW) of new gas power plants. But is that the right move? Werner Goetz, head of TransnetBW transmission grid operator, thinks so, comparing these plants to an essential investment in a fire department.
The Big Question: How Much Power Do We Need?
Goetz and his colleagues have determined that by 2023, twenty gigawatts (GW) of flexible and controllable power are necessary for emergencies. He recommends one-third of the power plants positioned in the north of Germany and two-thirds in the south. Minister Reiche agrees with this proposition.
The gas power plants are needed not only for active power consumption but also for system-related purposes like network restoration, redispatch, or generation of reactive power. Location plays a crucial role in these functions.
The Cost-Effective Argument: Insurance for the Grid
Critics suggest building 20GW of gas power plants seems expensive, especially for securing a few hours of low wind power in the future. Goetz responds that while a gas power plant has a classical function of selling energy, its main product is holding capacities, much like a fire department provides an indispensable and economically sensible investment.
Battery Storage versus Gas Power Plants: A Question of Time
A pensioner worries that battery storage investments might become obsolete with numerous gas power plants ready to feed in at any time. However, Goetz reiterates that battery storage is an incredibly lucrative business, with numerous inquiries for new projects.
Facing the Future: The Role of Gas Power in Germany's Energy Transition
Germany's energy system must be ready to meet demand in every weather condition, which can exceed 70GW on peak days. With a fire department of old, dirty coal power plants as the current backup system, there's no denying the need for new solutions. Katherina Reiche's proposed expansion of gas power plants aims to ensure reliability and affordability in Germany's energy transition.
The Bottom Line: Balancing Reliable Energy and Climate Goals
In the "Climate Lab" podcast by ntv, Clara Pfeffer and Christian Herrmann explore ideas and solutions for tackling climate change without job cuts, de-industrialization, and a hostile population. By weighing the advantages and limitations of various options, the debate around gas power plants, battery storage, and renewables pushes us closer to finding a solution that ensures a secure energy future for Germany.
- The debate about the necessity of 20 gigawatts (GW) of new gas power plants, as proposed by Economics Minister Katherina Reiche, raises questions about the community policy and employment policy regarding the energy sector.
- Critics might argue that investing in gas power plants, amidst the push for renewable energy sources, contradicts the environmental-science and climate-change policies of the industry.
- In response to these concerns, Werner Goetz, head of TransnetBW transmission grid operator, compares gas power plants to an essential investment in finance, such as insurance for the grid.
- The employment policy for the energy sector could see shifts as the demand for battery storage technicians and experts in data-and-cloud-computing technology might increase due to the growing interest in battery storage investments.
- The business community must consider the economic implications of various energy policies, including the role of investing in clean energy, such as renewables, and traditional energy sources like gas, as part of their personal-finance strategies.
- As we navigate Germany's energy transition, the employment policy for the environmental-science sector will likely see growth, particularly in areas such as energy, technology, and industry, to meet the demands of the changing energy landscape.
