Renewable Energies

An important factor for climate protection

Renewable energies are playing an increasingly significant role in the energy supply as well as for climate protection. We analyse the environmental effects, point out potentials that can be tapped, provide the initiative for pilot projects, advise ministries and authorities and do life cycle assessments. IFEU is active in the following fields (examples):

Market Incentive Programme (MAP)

The Market Incentive Programme (MAP) has become a central funding instrument for heat supply from renewable energies.

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Renewable-Energies-Act (EEG) – Progress Report

The Renewable-Energies-Act (EEG) is an essential tool for achieving the goals in climate policy. Regular progress reports allow a continuous evaluation and, if necessary, an adjustment of the funding.

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Green electricity

There has been an increasing demand for green electricity in the last few years. With this growing market the question for the environmental benefit is being raised because the impact on the environment of the different kinds of green electricity varies greatly.
In cooperation with the Öko-Institut e.V. (Institute for Applied Ecology), the Wuppertal Institute and Ö-Quadrat, the IFEU-Institut composed a paper on how to include green electricity into the carbon-footprint of communities.

Paper of discussion (in German)

Public relations work for renewable energies

Expert consulting for the brochure "Renewable Energies and Innovation for the Future", published by the Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMU) (Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety).

BMU-Brochure 2009:
Renewable Energies - Innovations for a Sustainable Energy Future (pdf 7 MB)

Energy Balance - Optimum System Solutions for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Which technologies are available for energy-efficient buildings (i.e. zero emission housing) generating heat from renewable sources? Does a regenerative heat ordinance comply with the requirements of the German energy saving ordinance? What are minimum efficiency standards for renewable energies promoted by public subsidies?
The project "Energy Balance" deals with these kind of questions. IFEU is working on strategies that dovetail renewable energies and energy efficiency concerning technical and economical aspects as well as social and instrumental policy. Funds are provided by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU).

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Biogas

More information on the Biogas-Project (in German) ...

Sustainable Biomass

Biomass is playing a key role in climate protection policy. To be successful in meeting goals for greenhouse gas reduction, an increased use of biomass is important, for biofuel and electricity alike. Conflicts between ecological and social objectives may result which need to be addressed in the political context in order to protect climate, biodiversity and resources. The sustainable use of bioenergy is called for in legislation on the national (German) level, the European Union and other international bodies.

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Wind Energy

More information on the Wind Energy Project ... (in German)

Promotion of new products or policy instruments

Konkrete Einbeziehung erneuerbarer Energiequellen in die Energieversorgung von Kommunen (Zusammenfassung des Endberichts,
pdf-Datei, 275kB), in German

Concepts for Climate Protection (local and regional)

Evaluation der Kampagne "Solar-Na klar!" und Empfehlungen für neue Kampagnen (in German)

Netzwerk Erneuerbare Energien in Pforzheim (in German)

EU-Projekt: 15% erneuerbare Energiequellen in 6 Kommunen bis 2010 (in German)

Developing scenarios and estimating technological impacts

Ecologically optimised growth in the use of renewable energies in Germany

Dynamic Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Renewable Energy Technologies (pdf 232kB)

Environmental Impacts of Future Energy Systems (Paper presented at the Risø International Energy Conference, May 2005)