German energy experts visit the US to learn about American experiences in restructuring energy markets
Germany's energy transition – or Energiewende – continues to attract global attention. The country set itself ambitious long-term targets wanting to reach at least 80 percent renewables in its electricity sector by 2050; it is currently at 28 percent. Although Energiewende skeptics forecasted that this development would jeopardize the most stable energy system in the world - for which the average annual power outage is a mere 10-15 minutes - so far this consequence has not materialized. This demonstrates that the existing power system is able to manage at least a 28 percent share of renewables. But exceeding this amount will be a crossroad; even the strongest proponents of the Energiewende agree that Germany needs to reform its energy system to accommodate the next influx of renewables while maintaining security of supply of conventional power at all times. Many respected voices across Germany are calling for an energy capacity market, and they would be wise to look towards the United States for important lessons learned on this issue.
The United States has extensive experience with capacity markets from which the German debate could benefit. As such, a German delegation consisting of national and state energy policy makers and experts will visit the United States from September 1 to 5, 2014. They will visit Texas, where a similar discussion to that of Germany has taken place this past year, to Pennsylvania where a capacity market has been in place since 2007, and to Washington DC to meet with regulators, utilities and stakeholders.
Please join us for a public discussion in Austin on September 2 – Texas and Germany: Energy Twins?
For more information, please contact Rebecca Bertram.