Even though the switch to renewable energy is financially appealing in the long run, some actors will lose money; therefore, they have a strong interest in trying to stop the Energiewende. The main problems in Germany are the car industry and the coal workers’ unions.
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.
Energy is consumed in three sectors: transportation, industry, and to heat and cool buildings. Connecting these three sectors will be crucial for the energy transition’s success. The term describing this is “sector coupling” (or “Sektorkopplung” in German).
Digitalization when referring to the energy sector is about the collection and analysis of data on energy use. It can range from being able to track your power consumption online to the ‘internet of things’ where devices from toasters to thermostats communicate and interact.