Updates

Back to News

Event Summary + Video: A Translatlantic Dialogue on Renewable Energy

On June 13, 2016, American Friends of Bucerius partnered with the Frank J. Guarini Center on Environmental, Energy, and Land Use Law, the Transatlantic Climate Bridge, and the German Consulate in New York to produce a panel discussion on the usage and maintenance of renewable energy in Germany and New York.

Featured Speakers

  • Audrey Zibelman, Chair, New York Public Service Commission, New York Department of Public Service
  • Annegret Groebel, Director, International Coordination, German Federal Network Agency

Panelists

  • Jens Acker, Counselor, Energy and Climate Policy, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • David Edelson, Manager, Operations Performance and Analysis, New York ISO
  • Damian Sciano, Director, Distributed Resource Integration at Consolidated Edison
  • Eleanor Stein (moderator), Visiting Professor at Albany Law School; former Reforming the Energy Vision Project Manager, New York Public Service Commission

The panel offered a perspective on the current achievements in renewable energy in New York and Germany, as well as the challenges ahead. Implementation has long been underway, so it is no longer a question of whether we should transition to renewable energy, but rather how we can best integrate it into existing systems. Many believe that this is a challenge because renewable energy is not reliable but as Ms. Zibelman explained, it is not an issue of reliability, but rather of the tools we use to best utilize energy.

In New York, there is the issue of optimizing the storage of renewable energy, so that it can be distributed and used when needed most. And Germany, while having made great strides in the field, is looking to improve and speed up grid expansion and reform the Renewable Energy Act.

A few key points

 Following Ms. Zibelman’s presentation, Dr. Annegret Groebel spoke on renewable energy developments in Germany, before opening the conversation to the panel. Below we’ve summarized some of the themes that appeared throughout the two keynote talks and the panel discussion.

On public acceptance of renewable energy:

  • In Germany, approval rates are generally high, but some locals believe there is too much risk associated with grid expansion. At this point, however, renewable energy production is outpacing grid capacity, so either production has to be slowed down or the grid has to be expanded. From a policy perspective, there is a desire to pursue both approaches to reach equilibrium.
  • In New York, the key to integrating change is communication with the public. First, ensure that the changes made are necessary, and then, educate the public as to why they are necessary and how they are beneficial.

On closing nuclear power plants:

  • The decision to close Germany’s nuclear power plants was the culmination of a decades-long struggle about nuclear power, which can trace its roots back to the birth of the Green Party, Chernobyl, and concerns about the storage of nuclear waste. There is great public support for this process, which was further galvanized by the Fukishima Accident in 2011.
  • New York is also in the process of closing down its nuclear power plants, although it is not driven by the same factors. 20% of New York’s energy comes from the plants, so alternatives must be implemented before nuclear energy can be completely phased out.

On the role of information technology in implementing renewable energy:

  • The nature of renewable energy doesn’t inherently necessitate informational technology, but there are still many ways in which “smart” meters can optimize the efficiency of energy use, especially as demand increases and distribution needs grow.

On renewable energy 10 years from now:

  • Germany’s goals include speeding up grid expansion, the steady growth of renewables, and ensuring that renewable resources are sustainable.
  • In New York, the goal is to increase capacity for storing solar energy. Especially in populous areas like New York City, being able to store and distribute energy is a must.

We at AFB would like to thank the speakers for an illuminating take on the state of renewable energy on a transatlantic scale.