Growing renewable capacity to drive storage technology demand in Germany

(ADPnews) - Nov 22, 2010 - Green energy capacity in Germany has reached 16% of the national energy mix and continues growing, pushing up demand for storage technology, according to inward investment promoter Germany Trade & Invest.

With 25 GW installed Germany topped the list of Europe's operating wind power capacity at end-2009. Moreover, the country was the global leader in solar installations with 14.6 GWp of installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity at the end of August this year.

By 2020, 35% of the country's energy is to come from renewable sources, while the figure is expected to reach 80% by 2050, opening space for additional investments in energy storage technology.

The flourishing domestic renewable energy industry is pressing the need for the fast development of storage solutions.

At present, public and private companies are working on energy storage technologies with the focus falling mainly on batteries, smart energy management and hydrogen and fuel cells. An example is the Berlin Brandenburg airport project, to be completed in 2012, which will include a fueling station for renewable hydrogen.

Energy storage, grid technology and the integration of green energy projects into the grid will be a major point in the German government's 6th Energy Research Program in 2011. The government will have to bolster applied research in order to revamp the country's future energy supply, Germany Trade & Invest said.

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