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Market & Industry 18/09/2024, 19:00
"Our diversity management should be in place by March 2025," say Sarah Bothur and Anne Zumpe (from the left).
(Image: Stadtwerke Gießen AG)

"We are establishing a diversity management system"

Giessen - It is rare for municipal utilities to specifically and resolutely address the diversity of their workforce. In Giessen in central Hessen, however, things are different. The municipal utility Stadtwerke Gießen has signed the Diversity Charter and does not intend to stop there.
Power 18/09/2024, 18:51
In future, Zolar will only work as a service provider for trade companies.
(Image: Zolar)

Zolar faces massive job cuts

Berlin - Solar systems are usually installed by local tradesmen. The photovoltaic company Zolar is now withdrawing from direct business with private customers.
Gas & Heat 18/09/2024, 18:08
The bankruptcy of biomethane trader Landwärme could hit companies hard.
(Image: Envato Elements)

Losses in the millions due to Landwärme insolvency

Berlin - The bankruptcy of Landwärme could cost tens of millions of euros. According to ASEW, numerous municipal utilities and companies have reported shortfalls in GHG quotas and biomethane deliveries.
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Politics

Politics 18/09/2024, 16:48
In Germany, there is a need for expansion at all grid levels.
(Image: enviam)

"Acceleration also helps combat anxiety"

Leipzig - Speaking at the East German Energy Forum in Leipzig, Christian Pegel, construction minister for the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, called for the courage to make mistakes in the administration. He said that without this, it would not be possible to speed up the expansion of the grids. A panel discussion also highlighted the progress that has been made.
Politics 18/09/2024, 12:46

Zukunft Gas seeks more backing for Bio-LNG

Berlin - In a paper, the association Zukunft Gas has called for the political promotion of bio-LNG in heavy-duty transport. It says a higher greenhouse gas quota is needed by 2030 and the energy tax on biofuels should also be reduced.
Politics 17/09/2024, 14:14

Candidates for climate, energy and the Green Deal have been finalised

Strasbourg - The old and new EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented her new team to the leaders of the political groups in the EU Parliament. Spanish energy minister Teresa Ribera is to be responsible for the Green Deal. It has also been decided who will be Climate Commissioner and who will be Energy Commissioner.
Politics 17/09/2024, 12:38

Saxon companies fear for the energy transition

Dresden - More than sixty companies in Saxony are calling for more speed in the energy transition. This is the only way to secure the business location. The future state government must also ensure greater social acceptance for renewable energies. But first there are difficult coalition negotiations ahead.
Politics 16/09/2024, 17:12

DVGW criticises hurdles in H2 distribution grid planning

Berlin - Following calls for a nationwide hydrogen core grid, the German Association of Gas and Water Industries, DVGW, is now urging for swift regional planning of distribution grids. The focus here is primarily on the heat transition. In light of this, hydrogen roadmaps should be critically assessed.
All news in the rubric Politics

Market & Industry

Market & Industry 18/09/2024, 18:00
The sectors involved are not currently very positive about the hydrogen boom. However, the picture has improved.
(Image: Swen Gottschall/Zukunft Gas)

Concerns and mixed feelings about the hydrogen ramp-up

Berlin - The ramp-up of the hydrogen economy tends to cause more concern than joy among market players along the entire value chain. But according to a recent survey, the mood among producers, grid operators and customers is not entirely downbeat. However, the criticism remains clear and mixed.
Market & Industry 18/09/2024, 16:52

Leag: CEO Kramer has to go, Loesch takes over

Cottbus - There is a change at the top at East German power plant operator Leag. The Cottbus-based company is parting ways with current CEO Thorsten Kramer and appointing Adolf Roesch as its new CEO. Mr Roesch is expected to take the helm on 19 September.
Market & Industry 18/09/2024, 16:15

Consumer watchdogs warn against SMS contracts

Hanover - Consumer watchdogs are warning energy customers about a "new scam" from dubious providers. The scammers try to persuade consumers to confirm a contract by clicking on a link sent by a cold call followed by a text message. However, according to the Verbraucherzentrale consumer centre, such contracts are not effective.
Market & Industry 18/09/2024, 16:00

Does electrolysis lack green electricity?

Oldenburg - The energy industry is warning that the electricity criteria for green hydrogen production are too strict. Representatives of several companies planning electrolyser projects are calling for the relevant EU directives to be amended.
Market & Industry 18/09/2024, 13:19

Pain and opportunity: Businesses struggle with climate transformation

Hanover/Berlin - The German economy faces major challenges on the road to climate neutrality and fears for its competitiveness. However, a study has found that the situation may not be quite as bad as the mood.
All news in the rubric Market & Industry

Power

Power 18/09/2024, 15:53
According to a survey, 82 per cent of wind energy companies surveyed have problems finding skilled workers.
(Image: REpower Systems AG)

Wind power expansion at risk due to labour shortages

Hamburg - A survey by IG Metall Küste shows that 82 per cent of wind energy companies are having problems finding skilled workers. More than half of the companies surveyed have restructured or are planning to do so. The union is calling for the German wind industry to be strengthened to ensure the expansion of wind power.
Power 18/09/2024, 14:07

Twenty-one million charging processes in the first half of 2024

Berlin - According to the Charging Market Report by charging service provider Elvah, EV drivers charged their cars 21 million times at public charging points in the first half of this year. However, almost one in ten charging processes failed.
Power 18/09/2024, 14:00

Meyer Burger: Cost-cutting programme with layoffs and new management

Thun/Thalheim - Struggling solar technology manufacturer Meyer Burger is to cut 200 jobs over the next 15 months. The Swiss company is also considering selling parts of its cell production in Germany. The tough cost-cutting programme is accompanied by a personnel shake-up: CEO Erfurt and CFO Nikles are leaving.
Power 17/09/2024, 18:11

Utilisation instead of curtailment reduces production costs

Berlin - In a study, Aurora Research sheds light on the impact of '13k electricity' on the costs of hydrogen production. From October 2024, electrolysers and other flexible consumers will be allowed to use curtailed renewable electricity, which could both reduce grid bottlenecks and bring economic benefits.
Power 17/09/2024, 15:41

Wind energy auction: Record bid volume

Bonn - For the first time in two and a half years, demand has exceeded the tender volume for new onshore wind turbines. The Federal Network Agency recorded bids at a record level of almost 3,000 MW with 2,709 MW put out to tender. Industry representatives criticised the previous reduction in volume.
All news in the rubric Power

Gas & Heat

Gas & Heat 18/09/2024, 17:00
Solar thermal process heat systems like the one in Brandenburg are not yet widespread.
(Image: Ontras)

Plenty of savings potential for process heat

Berlin - Melting, hardening, baking. The savings potential for process heat is huge. This is shown by a short study commissioned by Deneff. Problems are caused by high expectations and suitable power grid connections.
Gas & Heat 18/09/2024, 15:20

H2 crucial for affordable heat transition

Berlin - There is a consensus at the DVGW Congress that hydrogen will play a key role in the economical heating of existing buildings. It is also clear that the concerns of local authorities and citizens must be given greater consideration.
Gas & Heat 18/09/2024, 11:47

"Don’t focus solely on price in heat planning"

Aachen - Heat planning is a concern not only for municipalities but also for their utility providers. The municipal utility cooperation Trianel, in partnership with RZVN Wehr GmbH, conducted a survey on the matter. energate interviewed Paul Jüngst, head of Trendscouting and Green Heat at Trianel, about the findings.
Gas & Heat 18/09/2024, 11:00

Industrial customers join LNG pool

Essen - The industry association VIK and procurement specialist Ecotec have teamed up to establish an LNG pool for industrial customers. The initiative has seen strong interest, with 10,000 GWh per year already consolidated.
Gas & Heat 17/09/2024, 15:14

Green hydrogen slightly more expensive

Bonn - Green hydrogen has become slightly more expensive, while the opposite was the case for conventional hydrogen. The Hydex weekly report explains the background.
All news in the rubric Gas & Heat