Gas Power Plants: Are They the Climate-Friendly Fire Department We Need?
"Katherina Reiche's gas-powered plants prove to be spot-on solutions"
World-renowned energy expert Werner Götz argues that building 20 gigawatts of new gas power plants is "just right" to ensure a stable energy supply in Germany.
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Have you ever wondered what happens when the sun sets, the wind dies down, and solar panels and wind turbines stop churning out power? Well, Germany has a plan to prevent an energy blackout: they're building 20 gigawatts (GW) of new gas power plants.
Werner Götz, the head of Baden-Württemberg's transmission grid operator TransnetBW, believes these power plants are essential insurance for dealing with major deviations in energy generation or consumption and extended periods of low wind power in winter.
Götz likens these plants to a fire department, stressing their importance in maintaining a stable energy infrastructure. But it's not just about having a fire truck on standby; it's about having the right equipment for the job. That's why Götz thinks one-third of these power plants should be positioned in the north of Germany, while the remaining two-thirds should be placed in the south.
Despite the initial cost, Götz insists that these power plants serve as a profitable, indispensable, and economically sensible investment. The challenge lies in finding ways to incentivize their construction. So, while you might not appreciate paying for a fire department you hope you'll never need, the fact is, maintaining a reliable energy supply is essential for millions of households and businesses.
But what does this mean for Germany's renewable energy ambitions? Götz emphasizes that these power plants are a transitional solution to support the integration of renewables into the grid. Going forward, the focus should be on accelerating the expansion of renewable energy sources and improving energy storage technologies, such as batteries, to address short-term fluctuations in power supply.
Overall, Germany's decision to build 20GW of new gas power plants is seen as a necessary measure to ensure a stable energy supply during periods of low renewable output. While these power plants serve as a transitional solution, they should be used to further accelerate the expansion of renewable energy sources and improve energy storage technologies.
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- In the midst of debates about renewable energy sources and climate policy, it's worth considering the role of employment policy, as the construction of 20 gigawatts of new gas power plants could potentially create numerous job opportunities, contributing to the local economy.
- As sports often require swift and effective responses to changes, the metaphor of gas power plants as a "fire department" for energy infrastructure can also be applied to team management and policy-making within sports organizations, emphasizing the importance of having a versatile, well-equipped team ready to respond to unexpected challenges.
