Renewable energies: 12 times cheaper than fossil green!

Renewable energies: 12 times cheaper than fossil green!

In a recent study by Stanford University, the misleading term "Fossil Grün" is sharply criticized. The term refers to technologies such as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which suggests mixing fossil fuels and renewable energies. CCS includes the power of coal and natural gas, whereby the resulting CO₂ is separated from the exhaust gases and pressed into underground caverns. However, according to the researchers, this method is not only technically questionable, but also economically unfavorable. The study shows that the total operating costs of fossil energies combined with CCS and Direct Air Capture (DAC) are twelve times more expensive than using wind, water and solar energy. The emeritus professor Franz Josef Rademacher is quoted as a critic of this new word creation, which is often used to avoid negative reactions to CCS. This can be attributed directly to the ongoing considerations to the future energy policy of many countries. Econsws reports that

The economic comparison represents a clear confirmation of the superiority of renewable energies. As part of the investigation, data from 149 countries over a period of 25 years were evaluated, which also underpin the efficiency and cost advantages of renewable technologies. The study showed that switching to renewable energies is not only more environmentally friendly, but also much cheaper.

growing proportion of renewable energies in Germany

The energy transition in Germany is progressing, as current figures for using renewable energies prove. In 2024, renewable energies already covered 22.4 % of gross energy consumption, which corresponds to an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to the previous year. In this context, the development of the past few years is remarkable: in 2020, the goal of 18 percent, as required in the EU directive, was exceeded at 19.1 percent. By 2030, an increase is aimed at 41 percent. reports that

in 2024 a total of 517 billion kWh from renewable energies were provided. Of these, 55 % came from electricity, 38 % of heat and 6 % of biofuels. It should be emphasized that biomass was the most used renewable energy source with 47 %, followed by wind energy with 27 % and solar energy with 16 %. There is also a significant increase in the electricity sector, the proportion of renewable energies was 54.4 %in 2024. The proportion of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption rose from 46.3 % to 52.5 % in 2023. This corresponds to an electricity generation of 273.2 billion kWh, which corresponds to an increase of 7 % compared to the previous year

renewable energies and their effects on CO₂ emissions

The progressive use of renewable energies also has a significant impact on reducing CO₂ emissions. In 2024, renewable energies avoided around 256 million tons of CO₂ equivalents, with 80 % of these savings being achieved through power generation. Over the past ten years, the amount of avoided greenhouse gas emissions has increased by almost 70 %. The proportion of renewable energies in the provision of heat and cold was 18.1 % in 2024, while the transport sector achieved a share of 7.2 %. The use of biofuels, especially biodiesel, dropped to 32.7 billion kWh.

While the discussion about "Fossil Grün" and the future of energy supply continues, the available data and results suggest a clear path towards a predominantly renewable energy future.