Yesterday in Berlin, the cabinet discussed several tactics to make energy plants throughout Germany more eco – friendly with a longer lifespan. Their focus is to cut greenhouse – gas emissions while achieving over 50% of renewable energy use with in 40 years. Through providing a longer lifespan of renewable energy plants, they are expecting that this will serve as a “bridge” to the next energy trend. They describe this “bridge” as a short-term trend until the next big energy invention comes out. They also explain how renewable energy is not the future but just the pathway to the future inventions.
The cabinet exposed that after 2030, the energy plants will need to be replaced and that is why they are talking about investing in newer plants that last longer. Replacing and upgrading these plants will cost Germany over € 19 billion. In addition, it is imperative that Germany upgrades their grid system so that they may provide energy to as many consumers as possible.
I think it is great that Germany has such high aspirations in reducing greenhouse-gasses and using as much renewable energy as possible. I am not surprised by these aspirations though because they have the most extensive recycling program in the world, which many citizens help to partake in. If any country is confused on where to start for being more eco-cautious, they should look up to Germany for their goals and achievements in going green. I must agree with Germany that renewable energy is only a trend to what is coming up in the future because there are always new inventions and more efficient ways of production as time goes on, but why spend and invest in so much money in a 40 year plan if there is going to be something new? Why don’t they invest that money into new inventions and research teams? Though these questions consume my thoughts, I have no doubt that Germany will succeed in their green aspirations.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882404575519493309998222.html?mod=WSJ_Energy_leftHeadlines
I have no problem with this plan. It sounds like a simple idea: update plants now so that they will last until the next energy "trend". It seems logical and realistic. I did have one question after reading the article. I was wondering what sort of plants they plan on investing in right now. After checking the article, it looks like they are going to extend the life of the nuclear plants. I think that this is a great idea. They are going to use it as a "bridging technology". So, while developing new technologies for the future, they will increase the importance of nuclear now. I would agree with you, Mariana. Germany clearly knows what it is doing when it comes to energy.
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