November 06, 2009, 03:28 PM
THE WORLD FROM BERLIN
The Swedish and Finnish governments have finally consented to the construction of an ambitious new gas pipeline from Russia to Central Europe after years of opposition. German commentators welcome the removal of this last obstacle to the project but express reservations about Russian geopolitical ambitions. more...
November 05, 2009, 03:30 PM
RARE EARTHS
Germany is pinning its economic hopes on future-oriented industries such as solar panel manufacturing. But high-tech companies are facing shortages of essential metals as China, which dominates the world market in so-called rare earths, begins stockpiling the highly sought-after resources. By Alexander Jung and Wieland Wagner more...
October 22, 2009, 12:24 PM
AN ECOTOPIA FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION
The Danish island of Samso is a mecca for climate protection experts, because its residents generate more energy than they consume -- with wind turbines, solar panels, straw combustion and heat exchangers that extract heat from cow's milk. The small ecotopia will be held up as a model at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. By Clemens Höges more...
October 15, 2009, 05:41 PM
NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE STALLS
The executives of electric utilities worldwide are dreaming of a renaissance in nuclear power. But problems with a new, state-of-the-art reactor in Finland suggest that this is unlikely to happen. The industry's alternative strategy is to modernize older plants to drastically extend reactor lifetimes. By Dinah Deckstein, Frank Dohmen and Cordula Meyer more... [ Forum ]
October 14, 2009, 06:06 PM
DECENTRALIZING ELECTRICITY
Electric cars, intelligent washing machines, mini power plants in your basement: Germany is on the verge of an energy revolution. SPIEGEL ONLINE looks at the latest developments in the smart grid and how it will change the relationship between consumers and energy suppliers. By Stefan Schultz more...
October 13, 2009, 01:59 PM
EXPERTS SOUND WARNING
Germany's power companies are hoping that Chancellor Angela Merkel's new center-right government will extend the lifetimes of nuclear power stations, which would boost their profits. But analysts are warning that a nuclear comeback could delay the expansion of wind power generation for years. By Ole Reißmann more...
September 29, 2009, 12:59 PM
NUCLEAR PHASE OUT
For years, Germany has insisted it would shut down all its nuclear reactors by the early 2020s. But now that a re-elected Chancellor Angela Merkel has a new coalition partner, the nuclear lobby is hoping for extended reactor lifetimes and a cash windfall. more...
September 22, 2009, 06:46 PM
'A FATAL DEVELOPMENT'
Two weeks ago a German court ruled in favor of a farmer who had challenged German energy giant E.on's plans to build Europe's biggest coal-fired power plant in Datteln, near Dortmund. SPIEGEL spoke to Stephan Kohler, head of the German Energy Agency, about the court decision to halt construction. more...
September 18, 2009, 04:43 PM
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AT SEA
Germany's coastline may soon be bristling with wind turbines. A new plan involves 2,500 turbines, 30,000 new jobs and enough power for over 8 million households. Still, some worry that environmental regulations, financing difficulties and even security issues might hurt the ambitious plan. more...
September 16, 2009, 06:23 PM
NOT MUCH WILL TO POWER
Germany's automakers are proudly showing off their concept electric cars at the Frankfurt motor show, which opens to the public Thursday. But the shiny new designs on display are just a pipe dream. It's still not clear when, or even if, viable electric cars will make it onto the mass market. By Christian Wüst more...
