Sources of Renewable Energy in Germany

Sources of Renewable Energy in Germany: Germany is seeking to implement something they call the “Energiewende”. Thus, Germany aims to get rid of using combustible fuels such as coal and oil, as well as nuclear power. On the contrary, Germany plans to use more renewable energy sources that are harmless to the environment and they don’t pollute like they used to.

In this article, the sources of renewable energy in Germany will be reviewed. Through the use of renewable energy, Germany envisions its economic state to be one in which it is sustainable.

About Sources of Renewable Energy in Germany

Germany is a global leader in renewable energy, known for its ambitious goals and policies aimed at transitioning towards a sustainable energy future. The country has made significant strides in expanding renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric power.

One of the key initiatives driving Germany’s renewable energy sector is the Energiewende, or energy transition, which seeks to shift away from fossil fuels and nuclear power towards cleaner, renewable sources. As part of this initiative, Germany has set ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment, aiming to generate 65% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

List of Sources of Renewable Energy in Germany

Here is the list of renewable energy sources with their potential to generate electricity:

Rank	Renewable Energy Source	Electricity Generation (2023) in TWh	% increase (2023/2022)
1	Hydropower	19.5	11
2	Wind Energy (Total)	137.8	10
3	Wind Energy (Land)	114.2	15
4	Wind Energy (Sea)	23.6	-6
5	Photovoltaic Energy	61.1	1
6	Biomass (Total)	43.8	-4
7	Biogenic – Solid fuels	9.7	-5
8	Biogenic – Liquid fuels	0.1	0
9	Biogas	29.1	-5
10	Biomethane	3.2	2
11	Sewage Gas	1.5	-2
12	Landfill Gas	0.18	-8
13	Waste Proportion	5.5	-2
14	Geothermal Energy	0.18	-13

Renemable Energy of Germany: List of Sources

Let’s learn about all the sources of renewable energy in Germany along with their potential to generate electricity every year:

1. Hydropower

Hydroelectric power production in Germany reached a capacity of 19.5 terawatt-hours in 2023. This huge output proves hydropower as a major source of renewable energy of Germany. The role of hydroelectricity is quite significant as it acts as a reliable power production source while at the same time domesticating harmful emissions to the planet’s atmosphere. Hydropower plants use­ the kinetic ene­rgy in rivers or artificial reservoirs, turning turbine­s to generate e­lectricity.

2. Wind Energy

Wind power is produced in Germany through wind turbines. According to the data from 2023, wind energy accounted for 137.8 TWh of electricity. The wind rotates the blades when it blows. This rotation turns a generator that leads to the production of electricity.

a) Onshore Wind Energy

Onshore wind energy refers to the utilization of wind turbines located on land. The advantage­s include clean ene­rgy production. Yet we must weigh financial costs and e­nvironmental impacts. There is enough wind power that can be harvested. A land-based wind turbine is less expensive to construct than an offshore one in an ocean. Moreover, suitable positioning of onshore wind farms leads to little environmental pollution.

b) Offshore Wind Energy

The wind energy produced offshore means installing wind turbines on the surfaces of seas or oceans, particularly off the coast or more often in sole wind farms in the deep seas.

Offshore wind turbines have the same shape as the turbines on the land, but they are designed to be resistant to the marine environment harshness as well as stand in deep waters. The winds along the seawater have higher and are more consistent when compared on land, which results in more electricity generation.

In Germany, wind farms located in North Sea and Baltic Sea thus turn offshore wind power project into an essential part of the government’s renewable energy strategy.

3. Photovoltaic Energy

Solar pane­ls make up a vital part of renewable energy of Germany. In 2023, they generate­d 61.1 TWh of electricity. While substantial, furthe­r expansion remains nece­ssary.

This technology is cost effective and is being used in solar panels as a means to convert sunlight into electricity directly. Such a phenomenon of converting the energy of light in electricity is referred to as the photovoltaic effect. Rooftop of buildings and large open areas, known as solar parks, are the places where solar panels are installed.

In this context, the role that solar panels will have in renewable energy of Germany will likely grow along with further advances.

4. Biomass

Biomass energy is produced from organic resource such as wood, agricultural waste and, even dead natural materials. In Germany, for 2023, the biomass generated 43.8 TWh of electricity. It is major source of renewable energy of Germany.

5. Biogenic Solid Fuels

Biogenic fuel solidities consist of items such as wood pellets, wood chips, and crop waste like wheat stalks. These materials can be used to fuel boilers or stoves that burn biomass and provide heat or produce electricity.

Biogenic solid fuels are usually applied for residential houses and buildings, for heating industrial boilers, and for CHP plants capable to generate both heat and electricity.

Using these fuels is recommended since we deal with the natural resources which are abundant, and their use supports sustainable waste management. Using biomass and energy cues from agriculture is a significant component of comprehensive renewable energy of Germany. The diversity of biomass-based combustible solid fuels render them an adaptive and helpful energy resource.

6. Biogenic Liquid Fuels

Liquid biofuels are mostly derived from organic matter primarily agricultural crops (for example, corn and sugarcane) and vegetable oils (e.g., rapeseed oil) as well as animal fats. Usually, biodiesel and bioethanol is given as illustrations.

Diesel and ethanol can be mixed with the gasoline and diesel fuels that is produced from oil. They can simulate the petroleum-based fuels completely and replacement gasoline, as well as diesel and fuel for heating in cars, trucks and heating boilers.

Yet, some questions arise regarding the amounts of crops that should be produced for biofuels. The following are included: growing food crops on land that could be planted as crops and utilizing soil that has already been used. Moreover, some doubts arise as to the fact that all biofuel production methods are sustainable. This means that responsible production of bio fuels should be ensured.

7. Biogas

Methane-rich biogas is created naturally. Anaerobic digestion is the process that synthesizes it. It is the breakdown of organic matter by as much as, animal manure, leftover crops, food waste, and sewage when oxygen is not present

These processes of degradation happen in special airtight containers namely biodigesters and biogas plants. This process is done by the microorganisms help by decomposing the organic matter. Biogas is released as a byproduct.

There are, on the other hand, many advantages of using biogas. It gives an alternative source of energy. It is of a great help in handling the organic waste productively.

8. Biomethane

Biomethane is a brand of purified biogas consisting of more than 90% of methane (CH4). It is a major part of renewable energy of Germany.

Just the same way, regular biogas is processed to develop biomethane. They comprise desorption, which disassociates the gases from the refrigerated space, dehumidification that removes moisture, pressure reduction, odorization which gives gas a specific smell, and compression.

By employing biomethane, several advantages are provided. This leads to lower emissions of the greenhouse gases compared with the ones coming from fossil fuels. It creates another option of energy, thus, in general, the whole energy supply is ensured. And, biomethane production is an energy alternative and a development opportunity in rural areas.

9. Sewage Gas

Sewage sludge is the leftover material from treating sewage water. It is a major part of renewable energy of Germany.

In sewage treated plants, there is organic material in the sludge. This organic matter undergoes decomposition, with the help of microorganisms in digesters where there is no free flow of air. Instead, this happens due to breakdown without oxygen which then releases gas as a byproduct.

The use of sewer gas for energy production enables the wastewater treatment plants to use more of their self-sufficient energy needs. It does so as well as by reducing the economic costs of their operations, and lowering the greenhouse gas emissions which derive from treatment of sewage.

10. Landfill Gas

The landfill gas forms as organic waste­ decomposes without oxygen in landfills. Bacte­ria break down materials like food scraps and pape­r via anaerobic fermentation, using nitroge­n and sulfate reactions. This process ge­nerates the landfill gas product.

The key ingredients of landfill gas are methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) with few other traces.

Methane recovery is essential since it can be used for many aspects of life. This process directly contributes reduction of methane emissions, which is a super-powerful greenhouse gas that accelerate climate change. It creates the possibility of energy generation at landfills too. In the end, benefiting from landfill gas makes waste manage-ment practices more sustainable and helps to lessen the contribution of landfills to the harmful climate changes.

11. Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy constitutes a smaller part of renewable energy of Germany. However, it is foreseen to have a great chance to produce stable electricity. Geothe­rmal power stations harness steam from unde­rground wells, converting it to gene­rate electricity. This ste­am drives turbines, conseque­ntly producing electricity.

By 2023, Germany used 0.18 TWh of geothermal energy to produce electricity, which was equivalent to almost one-thousandth of its electricity consumption. Such low budget is still for renewable sources much lower then any other.

Nevertheless, developments in geothermal technology create a ray of hope that geothermal energy can gain prominence and provide a higher share of the energy supply. Thanks to advances, ge­othermal systems, this rene­wable energy, might grow, and be­come a greater part of Ge­rmany’s energy structure soon.

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Conclusion – Sources of Renewable Energy in Germany

The renewable energy of Germany includes wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower. Using these clean sources shows Germany’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases and securing reliable energy. With its strong focus on sustainability, Germany sets an excellent example for other nations worldwide.

Germany demonstrates that powering energy systems primarily with renewables is possible and crucial for combating climate change and ensuring dependable energy supplies now and in the future.

FAQs on Sources of Renewable Energy in Germany

What is the German renewable energy scheme?

Germany’s new Renewables Energy Act, which started on January 1st, 2021, has an ambitious goal of making the country’s electricity completely clean and carbon-free by 2050.

Who has 100% renewable energy? 

Albania and Iceland in Europe, and Paraguay in South America derive essentially all of their energy from renewable sources.

What percentage of Germany’s energy is renewable? 

The share of renewable energy of Germany is increasing every year. In 2023, Germany’s re­newable ene­rgy share expanded to about 55% of total ge­neration.

Why is renewable energy of Germany important?

The expansion of renewable energy of Germany is a key part of the realization of its climate goals as a member of the Paris Agreement.