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Market & Industry 27/11/2024, 17:16
In Bremen, Arcelor Mittal operates one of the plants that will produce 'green' steel based on direct reduction from hydrogen in the future.
(Image: ArcelorMittal)

Arcelor Mittal hesitates with green steel investments

Berlin - Arcelor Mittal is postponing some of its final decisions on major green steel projects in Europe. The steel group cites the sluggish hydrogen ramp-up and unfavourable political framework conditions as reasons. The latter mainly referst to the CO2 border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).
Politics 27/11/2024, 16:31
The European Parliament has elected the new EU Commissioners in President Ursula von der Leyen's team.
(Image: European Union, 2024 - EP)

New EU Commission can start work

Strasbourg - The plenary of the EU Parliament has approved the new EU Commission under Ursula von der Leyen by a large majority. This means that the new EU Commission can start work on 1 December. The focus will be on the competitiveness of the European economy.
Market & Industry 27/11/2024, 15:58
"Uncertainties are hampering industry's interest in climate protection agreements"
(Image: E-Bridge Consulting GmbH)

"Climate protection contracts must become more attractive"

Bonn - Germany's "climate protection contracts" are designed to pave the way for energy-intensive industries to enter the hydrogen economy. Philipp-Matthias Heuser, head of hydrogen and gas at consultancy E-Bridge, talks about the strengths and weaknesses of the government's support programme and sums up the industry's response so far.
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Politics

Politics 27/11/2024, 15:36
The heat pump is still the subject of controversy today. It has become the symbol of a question of faith in the boiler room.
(Image: EnvatoElement/duallogic)

Heat transition: Parties argue about heating law

Berlin - There was election campaign mood at Forum Wärmepumpe: there has been cross-party agreement that the price of electricity must be reduced and that the debt brake needs to be reformed. The Christian Democratic CDU insists on openness to technology and a policy of small steps in the boiler room.
Politics 27/11/2024, 12:20

BSW party provides first insights into energy programme

Berlin - In a paper for the German general election, the BSW party (the alliance of former Left Party's Sahra Wagenknecht) has spoken out in favour of abolishing the CO2 price. The party also opposes subsidies for renewables and argues in favour of a government of experts. The party will co-govern in Brandenburg.
Politics 26/11/2024, 17:10

Habeck continues to put pressure on grid fee reduction

Berlin - Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck still considers a reduction in grid fees through a subsidy possible before the new elections. He has the support of the BDI industry association and the IG Metall labour union. The CDU/CSU is cautiously signalling a willingness to talk - in contrast to the power plant strategy.
Politics 26/11/2024, 15:58

Federal Ministry for Economics and Energy launches further aid for Ukraine

Berlin - The Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy will provide the European Energy Community with a further 65 million euros to repair Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Politics 26/11/2024, 13:28

NWR calls for more precise CO2 standards for hydrogen

Berlin - The National Hydrogen Council has presented proposals for improvements to the draft EU regulation on low-CO2 hydrogen. Among other things, it is in favour of a more flexible assessment of the CO2 load of grid electricity.
All news in the rubric Politics

Market & Industry

Market & Industry 27/11/2024, 15:32
Axel Zwanzig is the new CFO of Hanseatic Energy Hub.
(Image: Hanseatic Energy Hub)

Hanseatic Energy Hub appoints CFO

Hamburg - The LNG terminal company Hanseatic Energy Hub has a new CFO. He brings experience in port logistics from previous positions.
Market & Industry 27/11/2024, 12:41

Public utility Stadtwerke Gütersloh brings in retiree Dietmar Spohn as CEO

Gütersloh - Dietmar Spohn has joined the ranks of prominent municipal utility managers returning from retirement at short notice. The long-standing CEO of Stadtwerke Bochum will be at the helm of Stadtwerke Gütersloh from December. He succeeds Ralf Libuda, who has stepped down.
Market & Industry 26/11/2024, 16:03

Climate investments are declining in the SME sector

Frankfurt am Main - Total investment in climate protection measures has risen by 5 per cent to 85 billion euros. This is according to the KFW Climate Barometer 2023. However, the SME sector shows a different trend.
Market & Industry 26/11/2024, 15:47

EnBW's e-mobility division faces management change

Karlsruhe - Jürgen Stein is stepping down as the person responsible for electromobility at EnBW. Instead, he will concentrate on his role as chief innovation officer from next year.
Market & Industry 26/11/2024, 14:28

Bioplastics from CO2 to conquer the plastics industry

Espoo - CO2 as a raw material for plastic. This vision has become a reality in Finland over the past three years. A subsidiary of the Finnish energy company Fortum has recently started using carbon from waste incineration to make biodegradable plastic in a five-step process.
All news in the rubric Market & Industry

Power

Power 27/11/2024, 15:13
Digital technologies are intended to increase process efficiency in grid operations, but their implementation is slow.
(Image: Westenergie AG)

Digitalisation in the distribution grid is progressing slowly

Cologne/Essen - For many distribution grid operators, the hoped-for benefits of digitalisation have not yet materialised. A study on the status of digitalisation published by energate together with the software service provider Envelio shows that the path to a smart electricity grid is proving to be longer than hoped for for many.
Power 27/11/2024, 14:48

Monitoring report: Significant increase in grid investments

Bonn - A total of 17.8 billion euros were invested in electricity infrastructure in 2023 - a significant increase compared to the previous year. This is a finding from the 2024 monitoring report by the Federal Network Agency and the Federal Antitrust Office. Investments in gas transmission grids also increased significantly, while gas distribution grids recorded a decline.
Power 27/11/2024, 14:23

EDP builds 87 MW solar park and enters German market

Ketzin - EDP is a global energy company with an installed renewable energy capacity of 29 GW. Until now, the company has not been active in Germany. This is now set to change. The first step is the construction of an 87 MW solar park in Brandenburg.
Power 27/11/2024, 09:44

"Grid-friendly fees for industry are a sensitive issue"

Essen - From next year, grid operators will have to offer time-variable grid charges for households, and there is also talk of grid-related charges. In an interview with energate, David Riemenschneider, head of grid management, and David Bendorf, manager of grid management, explain how Germany's largest distribution grid operator Eon is dealing with this issue.
Power 26/11/2024, 15:40

Transnet BW intensifies digitalisation activities

Stuttgart - The southern German transmission system operator Transnet BW wants to drive forward its digitalisation even more. To this end, the company has joined a community that researches and exchanges information on artificial intelligence.
All news in the rubric Power

Gas & Heat

Gas & Heat 27/11/2024, 14:46
Alpha Ventus will be supplemented by a 10 MW electrolysis plant. It is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of offshore hydrogen production.
(Image: Matthias Ibeler/Doti)

Alpha Ventus gets offshore electrolyser

Hamburg - It was the first wind farm off the German coast: Alpha Ventus. Now the wind farm is set to demonstrate the feasibility of another offshore technology.
Gas & Heat 27/11/2024, 12:52

KFW supports hydrogen core grid with 24 billion euros

Frankfurt am Main - The state development bank KFW is supporting the development of the national hydrogen core grid with 24 billion euros. The financing is being provided via an amortisation account to which the KFW is providing a loan. This new instrument is now also being discussed for other projects.
Gas & Heat 27/11/2024, 12:06

Environmental organisation DUH takes action against 15 more gas suppliers

Berlin - Because they advertise with climate-neutral natural gas, several suppliers are now receiving mail from Deutsche Umwelthilfe. The organisation believes that CO2 offsetting with climate protection projects is deceiving consumers, and that many projects are unsuitable and only generate phantom credits.
Gas & Heat 27/11/2024, 09:42

Hydrogen is key for North Rhine-Westpahlia's industry

Dortmund - Thyssengas wants to establish itself as one of the leading grid operators for hydrogen and green gases. In an interview with energate, Thomas Gößmann, chairman of the management board, explains how the FNB from Dortmund is tackling the development of the hydrogen core grid and what is important now.
Gas & Heat 27/11/2024, 09:34

"The H2 ramp-up is a joint task"

Dortmund - After the Federal Network Agency approved the hydrogen core grid in October, the transmission system operators are now starting to realise the first projects. energate spoke to Thomas Gößmann, chairman of the Thyssengas management board, about the start of implementation and the further ramp-up of the hydrogen economy.
All news in the rubric Gas & Heat