The Energiewende A to Z

The Energiewende (from the German word for energy transition) is the switch from nuclear and coal power to renewable energy.
Our website provides explanations behind this technical and social transformation.

Pick a letter to learn more!

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

  • Act on Accelerating Grid Expansion

    The energy transition will need an expanded, adapted grid to cope with more renewable power. Neither has been progressing fast enough, so the German Parliament has passed the Act on Accelerating Grid Expansion. Official plans are in place, but several of the projects remain contested.

  • Alternative for Germany (AfD)

    The party “Alternative für Deutschland” (AfD) is a right-wing political party. It opposes the German Energiewende and its environmental platform is that climate change does not exist.

  • Alternative energy

    Alternative energy is any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel and nuclear power.

  • Anti-coal activism in Germany

    One main failure of the Energiewende has been coal’s continued presence, and German activists are taking matters into their own hands to do what the government won’t: phase out coal.

Featured articles

Solar Photovoltaics (PV)

Germany has helped to make solar power inexpensive for the world. The challenge now is to integrate large amounts of solar power in the country’s power supply.

Electric transportation

Electric transportation refers to trains, trams, cars, buses and bikes which run on electricity. Worldwide the use of electric vehicles has spiked in the first half of 2018, with sales surpassing a million vehicles so far this year.

Wind power in Germany

Germany began switching to renewables in the early 1990s. Nowadays, onshore wind power is the cheapest source of new renewable power and made up around 20 percent of the country’s power production in 2018.

Grid and power storage

A power system designed around renewable energy must both be flexible and allow for power storage. Rather than relying on “baseload” power like coal and nuclear, Germany is trying to switch to a supply-based model.

Infographics

The Global Energiewende Blog

For stories and the latest news about the energy transition around the world, check out our blog.

About us

This Wiki is a project of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. Click here to read more about our authors, our editors, and our mission.