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Power 03/04/2025, 15:28
Market & Industry 03/04/2025, 14:44
VNG plans to invest billions despite declining earnings
Leipzig - The EnBW subsidiary VNG is pressing ahead with the expansion of its hydrogen projects, despite regulatory uncertainties. In addition, the EBIT result is significantly worse than in the previous year. The VNG Executive Board is nevertheless satisfied.
Power 03/04/2025, 14:42
On the way to bidirectional charging
Aachen - The number of large-scale storage projects is growing. At the same time, the number of electric vehicles is increasing - and with it the number of small, mobile electricity storage systems. With bidirectional charging, they can be extensively integrated into the system. At the V2G conference, it became clear how far the market has already come and how far it still has to go.
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Politics
Politics 02/04/2025, 15:44
Economic Council calls for special climate account for companies
Berlin - The CDU-affiliated lobby organisation is calling for an amendment to EU emissions trading. Business and industry should be repaid revenues from CO2 pricing via a special account. The aim is to create more scope for investment in climate protection measures.
Politics 02/04/2025, 15:21
German government cancels CO2 certificates
Berlin - The Federal Cabinet has decided to cancel CO2 emission certificates in order to ensure the climate protection effect of the coal phase-out. The background to this is the decommissioning of the Neurath A and Frechen power plant units in 2022.
Politics 02/04/2025, 14:26
EU Commission flexibilises CO2 regulation for cars
Brussels - The car industry is threatening to miss its CO2 targets in the EU for the current year. The EU Commission is now making concessions and relaxing the CO2 emission targets for new cars and light commercial vehicles. The companies are to be given three years' time.
Politics 01/04/2025, 16:47
Much criticism of Regulation 2.0
Berlin - Regulation 2.0 is in the works. Municipal utilities fear a 30 per cent drop in the revenue cap, while the judge of the Third Cartel Senate at the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court has significantly more work to do. Not an easy event for Achim Zerres, who represented the position of the Federal Network Agency at the regulatory conference.Market & Industry
Market & Industry 02/04/2025, 17:52
Rheinenergie takes lignite-fired boiler off the grid
Cologne - It was "Maach et joot" (Cologne dialect for "take care" or "Farewell and all the best") for the fluidised bed boiler at the Merkenich combined heat and power plant. RheinEnergie has shut down the coal-fired boiler after 35 years of operation.
Market & Industry 02/04/2025, 15:52
With gamification towards higher cyber security
Karlsruhe - For operators of critical infrastructure, the topic of cyber security is a constant companion. The Fraunhofer IOSB is now offering a new training model in its learning lab in which specialists can use gamification and simulation to gain practical experience in an emergency…
Market & Industry 02/04/2025, 15:29
Green process heat: industry seeks the ideal solution
Essen - Until now, industry has mainly relied on fossil fuels to generate process heat. This is set to change. But the road to achieving this is rocky, as an event organised by the Essen-based GWI showed. This is also due to the lack of a hydrogen ramp-up. Instead, ammonia could become a beacon of hope.
Market & Industry 02/04/2025, 15:12
Municipal utilities face challenges in the prosumer market
Bielefeld - Dynamic electricity tariffs are now mandatory for all suppliers. However, many municipal utilities are finding it difficult to implement them. There are many reasons for this, and several arguments in favour of entering this business segment, even beyond the threat of penalties. This was demonstrated at a VKU symposium in Bielefeld.Power
Power 02/04/2025, 17:56
Cheaper energy transition through adjusted expansion targets
Berlin - Federal subsidies are to reduce the price of electricity by 5 cents per kWh. However, the costs of the electricity system remain unchanged. A study, which has now been presented in Berlin, shows how the costs could be reduced by several billion.
Power 02/04/2025, 17:15
Aiwanger calls for stricter rules for solar installations
Munich/Berlin - Bavaria's Minister of Economics, Hubert Aiwanger, is pushing for faster controllability of photovoltaic systems. He criticises the current PV peak law as being too hesitant and demands clear regulations from the government to prevent grid overloads.
Power 02/04/2025, 14:05
50 Hertz launches reactive power market
Berlin - The transformation of the energy system also requires changes concerning system stability. In the case of reactive power - similar to balancing energy - renewable energy plants should take on more system responsibility. The transmission system operator 50 Hertz has now successfully introduced the market-based procurement of reactive power.
Power 02/04/2025, 13:59
"Special assets: Funds for seaports are needed urgently"
Berlin - Germany is at risk of falling behind in the expansion of offshore wind. In his guest comment, Stefan Thimm from the German offshore wind energy association BWO calls for massive investment in seaports - not only for the energy transition, but also for industrial sovereignty and security.Gas & Heat
Gas & Heat 03/04/2025, 12:44
Berliner Wärme: Losses are offset by a billion-euro loan
Berlin - Just under a year has passed since Berlin bought back district heating from Vattenfall. The result: lower sales and profits and the prospect of billions in investments. Nevertheless, district heating prices are set to remain stable for the time being.
Gas & Heat 03/04/2025, 11:41
High CO2 prices for buildings and transport in sight
Berlin - National emissions trading has been in place for the buildings and transport sectors since 2021. The switch to a European trading system is due in 2027. One thing seems clear: it will be expensive, but it has to be, because the sectors are treading water when it comes to reducing CO2 emissions. An interview with Jan Weiß from the German Emissions Trading Authority.
Gas & Heat 02/04/2025, 17:23
EU hydrogen targets not achievable
Cologne - The Ewi and Cassis research institutes have subjected the hydrogen market ramp-up to a reality check. The ambitious targets are not matched by enough actual investment.
Gas & Heat 02/04/2025, 16:30