Renewables Made in Germany 2016 En-A

German Energy Agency
Energy supply with
renewables – Made in Germany

Information on technologies, suppliers, products and services
2016 edition
www.renewables-made-in-germany.com
Publisher
Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena)
German Energy Agency
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Foreword
German companies with international expertise are already
represented across the entire value chain. Projects and
facilities “Made in Germany” support consumers, businesses,
agriculture, municipalities and industries across the globe
for a sustainable and reliable energy supply by saving
energy and costs and reducing dependency on energy
imports.
This positive trend should be continued, while always having

energy transition, climate protection and sustainable eco-
nomic development as clear goals. Germany would there-
fore like to support foreign markets and stakeholders in
tapping into renewable energy sources and in stepping up
dialogue. dena contributes to this exchange as an agency
for an applied energy transition – also beyond Germany’s
borders.
I am therefore delighted to be able to provide you with the

latest edition of the “Renewables – Made in Germany”
catalogue, in which over 30 companies from the renewable
energy sector present their services and offers. I hope you
Germany has been successful in making renewable energies enjoy reading this issue!
an important pillar of the energy supply. Over the last
10 years the share of renewable energy in the total electricity Yours sincerely,
consumption has risen from 8 percent to approximately
32 percent in the first half of 2015. The German govern-
ment’s goal of expanding the share of renewable energy to
between 40 and 45 percent by 2025 has therefore moved
within reach.
The energy transition is, however, not just about more Andreas Kuhlmann, Chief Executive
renewable energy. It also means using energy efficiently Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena)
and cross-linking different sectors, such as electricity, German Energy Agency
heating or even transport. In short, we need to think of
energy transition and climate protection in a holistic way,
with renewable energy playing a key role in the future.
German companies are international trailblazers in the

renewable energy sector. They are noted for their many
years of experience and immense capacity for innovation.
They offer a broad range of products and services and set
new standards, qualities which are valuable and essential.
Yet we should strive for more. We would like to share with
you the considerable experience which Germany has
acquired in the area of renewable energy.
3
Technology Overview
Technology overview
■ Wind energy
■ Hydropower
■ Geothermal energy
■ Photovoltaics
■ Solar thermal energy
■ Solar thermal power plants
■ Biogas
■ Solid biomass
■ Storage and grid technology
■ Other industry sectors
4
Table of contents
Table of contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Manufacturer
Your supply of renewable energies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
AkoTec Produktionsgesellschaft mbH ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Awite Bioenergie GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Technologies Carbotech GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
DIVE Turbinen GmbH & Co. KG ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Wind energy ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 KOSTAL Solar Electric GmbH ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Hydropower ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 LIPP GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Geothermal energy ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Nolting Holzfeuerungstechnik GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Photovoltaics ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Ossberger GmbH + Co ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Solar thermal energy ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Germany
Solar thermal power plants ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 GmbH & Co. KG, Hiross Zander Filtration Division ■ . . . 101
Biogas ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 SOLAR-RIPP ® ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Solid biomass ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 s-power Entwicklungs- und Vertriebs GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . 109
Storage and grid technology ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Stela Laxhuber GmbH ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Other industry sectors ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Services
Companies CUBE Engineering GmbH ■ ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Plant engineering ProfEC Ventus GmbH ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ . . . . . 103
Aschoff Solar GmbH ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 sbp sonne gmbh ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
LAMBION Energy Solutions GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Solar Promotion GmbH ■ ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Full-line supplier
aap GmbH/Nature Technology Systems (nts) ■ . . . . . . . . . . 78 Directory

agriKomp GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Ammonit Measurement GmbH ■ ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Company directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Andritz Hydro GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Institutions and associations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
asola Technologies GmbH ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Cooperation partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . 88
EnviTec Biogas AG ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Schmack Biogas GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Viessmann Photovoltaik GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Viessmann Wärmepumpen GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Voith Hydro Holding GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
5
Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energies are mostly based
on inexhaustible resources. They encompass an energy mix
of wind energy, bioenergy, solar energy, hydropower and
geothermal energy. Various technologies are on hand to
make use of the world’s available natural potentials. In
combination with storage and grid technology, renewable
energies can be stored or transmitted and distributed over
long distances from their place of generation to the centres
Your supply of of consumption, and thus utilised optimally with regard to
renewable energies demand.
“Made in Germany” renewable energy technologies,

products and services enjoy an outstanding international
reputation. They stand for quality, reliability, a long service
Residential estates, commercial enterprises and private life, efficiency and safety. The companies presented in
households around the world are increasingly in need of this catalogue can help you plan, build and operate your
reliable, affordable and environmentally friendly energy renewable energy supply. The import of German goods
to cover their demand for electricity, heat, cooling and and services can be promoted by way of various pro-
mobility. Renewable energies can make a substantial grammes organised by the German federal government.
contribution to covering this demand, both in private
households as well as in commercial enterprises, traffic
and the public supply of entire residential estates.
Goals Benefits of renewable energies
Local availability ■■ They make use of domestic resources available to varying degrees everywhere in the world.
Sustainable provision of energy ■■ By human standards, they are inexhaustible (solar radiation, wind energy, hydropower,
geothermal energy) or regenerate (bioenergy).
Safety ■■ They entail relatively little danger to produce, operate and dispose of, or they are recyclable.
Price stability ■■ They promote independence from the volatile market for fossil fuels; long-term stable
energy costs.
Economic efficiency ■■ Their commercial utilisation without promotion is already possible depending on the location.
■■ In remote areas, they are often the cheapest way to provide energy.
Environmental protection ■■ They conserve natural resources by saving fossil raw materials and by leading to few invasive intru-
sions in the natural countryside (environmentally compatible land consumption) and release only
low levels of human-caused emissions into the surrounding air (acidification and eutrophication).
Climate protection ■■ They are largely free of emissions, thus supporting international climate protection goals.
Protection of human health ■■ They protect human health thanks to their low level of harmful emissions
(noise as well as pollutants in air, soil and water).
Local creation of value ■■ They create jobs in sustainable-growth industries.

■■ They promote the economic development of rural regions by decentralising production
and distribution.
■■ They support positive economic development through technical innovations.
Independence from the grid ■■ They provide for a permanently reliable supply of energy far from the public electricity grid
(in combination with energy storage systems).
Using renewable energies supports a large number of requirements. The above table presents examples of these.
6
Your supply of renewable energies
HEOS Energy GmbH

dena Renewable Energy Solutions Mongolia Project – a state-of-the-art, stand-alone power system. HEOS Energy GmbH, a Chemnitz-based company,
i nstalled two energy containers at the training centre of the Mongolian University of Life Sciences some 140 kilometres from Ulaanbaatar. A 6 kWp
photovoltaic system was mounted on top of the containers and a 15 kW small wind turbine was erected close by. A battery system for back-up power
is built into the control container.
Possible applications
Renewable energies can be used to generate electricity and The choice of a suitable technology or combination of tech-
heat, as well as in the mobility sector. While wind and sun nologies depends on conditions at the site as well as the
produce variable amounts of energy in the electricity sector respective requirements placed on the type and scope of
depending on weather conditions, the availability of bio energy provision. These include, among others:
energy, hydropower and geothermal power is nearly
constant or can be stored and controlled. On the whole, Local conditions User requirements
this results in an ongoing energy supply that is reliable
Natural potentials (for example, Form(s) of energy:
and tailored to demand.
solar radiation, wind speed, electricity, heating/cooling,
biomass availability) mobility
Owing to their enormous range, from a few watts up to
hundreds of megawatts, renewable energies can also be Political promotion schemes Peak demand
adapted to any kind of energy service. Closely meshed with (for example, public investment
grants)
modern energy technologies, they can make a considerable
contribution to a secure energy supply, even in a modern Infrastructure (for example, Capacity/annual capacity
industrial society. grid connection)
Not every source of renewable energy can be put to com- Funding for initial investment Fluctuation of the demand
(equity or borrowed capital) for energy in the course of
mercial use in every country. Certain regions, for instance,
the day/year
have potentials for using solar power at a very low cost.
The best potentials for using solar power are found in the Examples of criteria for choosing suitable renewable energy technologies.
world’s sun belt (between 20 and 40 degrees of latitude in
the northern and southern hemispheres). The technical In the “Technologies” chapter you will find detailed infor-
potential for wind energy is in turn dependent on the mation on the available renewable energy technologies,
average wind velocity. This is generally much lower over their possible uses and combinations for private house-
continental land masses than over the oceans. Practically holds, commercial businesses or public supply of entire
every country, however, has attractive locations for a wide residential estates, as well as the required natural and/or
variety of renewable energies. political conditions.
7
Opinion panel
Funding your renewable energy plant
Constructing plants to utilise renewable sources of energy

“Renewable energy is both
entails initial investments for which various forms of fund-
the present and the future.
ing are available. The choice of the right combination of
Is there any better business
financing depends on a variety of factors, including the type
model than that of the
of plant, the size of the plant or project, and the conditions
renewable energy sector –
for grants, if any, at the site of the investment. Typically,
efficient, environmentally
a combination of financing from borrowed capital, equity
friendly and social? This
and public grants is used.
gives us the incentive to
invest in the development of
A foreseeable cash flow from which the debts of the respec-
innovative products, such as
tive project can be serviced can, for example, be ensured by
in our inverters and storage
guaranteed public feed-in compensation or the revenues
systems for photovoltaic systems. With projects, part-
from winning a contract. Financial support can also be
ners and associations, we continue to forge ahead with
obtained by way of investment subsidies through funding
development, paving a new path to the success of
institutions or municipalities, tax breaks or marketing so-
renewable energy.”
called “green energy certificates”. If no public funding is
Werner Palm, CEO of KOSTAL Solar Electric GmbH offered at your site, you can use the money saved on
buying energy (private consumption) or the revenues
from direct marketing of the regenerative energy
Partners produced to refinance the loans.
Individual consultancy is absolutely necessary to be able to Large-scale projects

use renewable energies in a way that suits demand and is
as commercially profitable as possible. When developing Large-scale projects, such as constructing and operating
and building tailored plants, goals such as reliability, long a wind farm, are often handled within the framework of
life cycle and efficiency should be addressed, although a project financing. To this end, various stakeholders
shapely design can also be a desirable factor. Here it is (operating consortium, manufacturer, supplier, etc.) join
important to work together with experienced partners. to form their own company, known as a special purpose
vehicle (SPV). The stakeholders bring a share of their own
Concrete support in choosing the technologies best suited equity into the SPV; following a due diligence process
to your needs and conditions, as well as planning, imple- (review of credit and business), banks then provide debt
mentation and commissioning, are offered by the providers capital.
presented in the chapter on “Companies”. They specialise
in a wide variety of user demands, can provide thorough The shareholders in a renewable energy project company
consultancy and come up with offers tailored specifically expect high profits from their investment. With this goal
to your needs. in mind, private equity companies, such as pension and
environmental funds, for instance, invest in wind and solar
The company profiles follow the introductory chapters on farms around the world. Projects of strategic investors are
the technologies and their fields of application. To make it financed in advance largely from the total assets of the
easy to find what you need, the companies in the catalogue respective stakeholders. Energy suppliers, manufacturers
are organized according to their stages of value creation. In of wind turbines and photovoltaic modules, but also food
addition, next to the contact information, every company chains, for instance, are important stakeholders in this
profile contains a summary of the main fields of application segment. So-called “citizens’ parks” are also widespread
and technology focal points for which our partners offer in Germany, in which private investors get together to
practical solutions. carry out a project.
Yield cos are an innovative new way of financing renewable

energy projects, and are often used in this sector to protect
investors against regulatory changes. Yield cos are public
8
2014, 3.3 billion euros (64 percent of the total commit-

ments were for climate protection financing) were granted
for renewable energies and energy efficiency within the
scope of financial cooperation with developing nations.
The KfW development bank is counted among the world’s
largest financiers for renewable energies in developing
countries.
Renewable Energy Asia 2014,

Other major lenders to projects outside the OECD are, for
example, the national development agencies, the Global
Environment Facility (GEF), the World Bank and the
Bangkok, Thailand
regional development banks. Apart from conventional
financial instruments, bilateral and multilateral lenders
also provide loans in the form of “on-lending”. With this
kind of lending, an international organisation extends
Visitors to the German joint stand at leading trade fairs around the world credit to local banks in the respective eligible countries.
can talk personally to representatives from German companies and other
The local banks can re-lend this credit under certain condi-
experts.
tions. Thus the importer can obtain support on terms
which are often quite favourable (for example, longer
companies that are formed to own operating assets that durations).
result in a predictable cashflow, usually through long-term
contracts. The cost of capital is lowered by separating volatile Flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol
activities, such as construction and Research & Development, The flexible mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol are another
from stable, less volatile cash flows of operating assets. way to fund large-scale renewable energy projects. German
companies, for instance, fund projects in developing and
Borrowing threshold countries within the scope of the CDM mechanism.
When it comes to financing large-scale projects in the The foreign target country receives investments and usu-
renewable energy sector, extension of credit is directly ally a better starting base thanks to the technology trans-
linked to the specific project and thus to the expected annual fer. In exchange, the German companies obtain emission
profit. Many national and international banking institutions rights they can use to meet their emission reduction obli-
offer services in this area. Owing to the complicated, expensive gations under the EU Emissions Trading System. For this
preliminary work, only projects whose investment volume instrument to work as an incentive, however, the trading
is upwards of about 10 million euros are worthwhile. price for certificates must be at a certain level.
Export financing Individual plants / smaller projects

Banks affiliated with companies grant purchasers of goods
(orderers) several years of credit within the scope of so- Individual plants or smaller projects are often executed by
called export financing, where the exporter is paid their individual companies. They are funded through a combi-
purchase price from the buyer’s credit immediately after nation of equity and outside capital, or by leasing a plant.
proper delivery and installation. Normally, the loan is The latter puts no burden on an entrepreneur’s balance
granted on condition that it is covered by the official Ger- sheet. Income gained from selling the energy produced
man export credit insurer, Euler Hermes Deutschland AG (for example, electricity or heat) or from the financial
(Hermes cover). This covers around 85 percent of the savings achieved thanks to the plant’s efficiency (lower
economic and 95 percent of the political risk. You will find energy supply costs) can be used to refinance a loan.
more information on Hermes cover in the section entitled
“Advantages of importing German goods and services”. Borrowing
Local banks also offer possible loans to private persons and
Investment promotion entrepreneurs. The conditions can vary widely. Experience
The federally owned KfW Bank Group plays a pivotal role gained by banks in the area of renewable energies is signifi-
in providing credit facilities for investments in renewable cant with regard to correct risk assessment.
energy projects in Germany and around the world. In
9
iStockphoto/olaser
The import of German goods and services can be promoted by way of various programmes organised by the German federal government.
Investment promotion Advantages of importing German goods

Depending on the country or site, investments can be and services
facilitated by public subsidies, such as low-interest loans,
investment subsidies or tax breaks. Here too, funds from Importers of German goods and services from the area of
bilateral and multilateral lenders can come into play renewable energies obtain direct support in the form of
through the method of “on-lending” described above various German government programmes, since the Ger-
(see the heading “Investment promotion” in the section man government considers exports of renewable energy
on “Large-scale projects”). technologies to be particularly deserving of promotion.
This is because this line of business also promotes sustain-
Leasing able global development. For this reason, the German
Leasing is an alternative to buying a plant, and represents government provides appropriate cover in the form of
a sort of hybrid between purchasing and hiring investment official export guarantees and investment guarantees.
goods. Compared to buying, leasing has the advantage of It is also possible to apply for combinations of these.
being off the balance sheet and not affecting an entrepre-
neur’s equity – thus preserving the entrepreneur’s liquidity. Export credit guarantees from the German
Leasing offers planning certainty and cost transparency. federal government
Revenue can be generated by selling the energy produced.
Risks related to the loss of receivables German companies
may incur when exporting goods and services to foreign
countries are insured by the state export credit insurance –
also called Hermes cover. The credit duration for projects
10
Further information
You can obtain further information at our online portal,

in our newsletter or by contacting dena directly.
Online portal
www.renewables-made-in-germany.com
Apart from the information on technical aspects and
istockphoto.com/imagedepotpro
on companies found in the catalogue, you can also find
reference projects of German companies around the
world, company news, and an overview of German par
ticipation in foreign trade fairs at our online portal,
www.renewables-made-in-germany.com. In addition, you
can learn valuable facts about networking and business
opportunities, such as fact-finding missions to Germany
The widespread expansion of renewable energies can be supported by for decision-makers and a bilateral programme of
systemic adaptations, such as expanding distribution and transmission
advanced training for executives.
networks.
Newsletter
in the area of renewable energies amounts as a rule to
eighteen years. Including locally accruing expenses (for The free English-language newsletter informs subscribers
example, infrastructure expenses for wind turbines located around the world six times a year by e-mail of current
at remote sites), up to thirty percent of the total contract developments, interesting projects and applications, the
value can be covered. The share of local costs may not most modern German technologies and services, as well
exceed twenty-three percent of the total contract value. as events in the area of renewable energies.
Orderers can avoid the risk of being unable to pay the
German exporter due to the devaluation of their own Subscribe online at: www.renewables-made-in-germany.
currency by choosing the option of paying the German com/en/service/newsletter
company in their own currency rather than in euros. The
German federal government reserves the right to check Personal contact
the stability of the currency requested in each case.
Furthermore, you are also welcome to get in touch with
Investment guarantees dena in person. To do so, please contact:
Importers of German goods and services also profit from E-mail: [email protected]
the backing of German companies by the German federal Fax: +49 (0) 30 - 72 61 65-699
government in the form of investment guarantees. With Tel: +49 (0) 30 - 72 61 65-600
this instrument, the federal government offers a safeguard
against political risks for German companies. These measures We would be pleased to help you.
include participating interests, investment-like loans, capi-
tal endowments for branch offices and other proprietary
rights. In the case of renewable energy projects, commit-
ments from official or officially controlled authorities can
also be included in the investment guarantee, such as the
construction of infrastructure or a formal guarantee of
purchase prices. Guarantees can run for as long as twenty
years.
11
Nationwide expansion of renewable energies: How is Germany dealing with the challenges?
When it comes to the topic of “transitioning from nuclear
Deutscher Bundestag
Marc-Steffen Unger
and fossil fuels to sustainable sources of energy” – espe-
cially the region-wide development of renewable energies
and their integration into the energy system – businesses,
politicians and consumers all over the world are looking
to Germany. The intention of the German government’s
energy policy is to make the country one of the world’s
most energy-efficient and environmentally sound econo-
mies. At the same time, energy prices must be kept com-
petitive, the level of prosperity high and the supply of
energy secure. This poses immense challenges for the
world’s fifth-largest industrial nation. Countries around
the world can profit from Germany’s experience.
Expansion according to plan: the growth trajectory

of renewable energies
Owing to political encouragement early on, renewable

energies are now a mainstay of the total commercial
energy system in Germany, accounting for 12.4 percent
of final energy consumption and 27.8 percent of gross
electricity production in 2014. And the German federal
government continues to pursue a path of further expan-
sion. In the electricity sector alone, the share of renewable
energies is intended to be expanded to 40 – 45 percent
by 2025 and 55 – 60 percent by 2035.
The increase in the utilisation of renewable energies in

Germany is chiefly a result of the Renewable Energy The goal of the federal government‘s energy policy is to make Germany
Sources Act (EEG), which has been in place for the elec- one of the most energy-efficient and environmentally compatible economies
in the world while keeping energy prices competitive and ensuring a high
tricity sector since 1 April 2000. The goal of the EEG is to level of prosperity. The expansion of renewable energies will make a sub
facilitate the market entry of renewable energies through stantial contribution to achieving this goal.
fixed compensation as well as through guaranteed pur-
chase and by prioritising the feed-in of electricity from
renewable sources to the grid. By the end of 2014, more such as additional insulation, or make use of combined
than 1.3 million EEG-subsidised installations throughout heat and power or district heating facilities. The MAP
Germany were feeding in more than 160,000 GWh to the promotes technologies in the heating market primarily
German electricity grid. for existing buildings – such as solar thermal systems,
wood pellet heating systems and efficient heat pumps.
In the heating sector, as well, the German Renewable Support at the federal level is supplemented by a large
Energies Heat Act (EEWärmeG) and the amplified number of measures in various federal states and
market incentive programme (MAP) are the main municipalities.
starting points for doubling the amount of heat produced
from renewable sources of energy to fourteen percent in Biofuels are promoted in Germany within the scope of the
2020. The EEWärmeG stipulates that new buildings use Biofuel Quota Act (BiokraftQuG). Based on the Biofuel
renewable energy to provide a certain portion of the Quota Act, admixtures to fossil fuels have been supported
buildings’ heat, implement certain substitute measures by way of the biofuel quota since 2007.
12
Today’s challenges to energy policy
Bundesregierung / Steffen Kugler
The enormous expansion of renewable energies, especially
photovoltaics and wind power, is today confronting politi-
cians with the challenge of oming up with intelligent solu-
tions to integrate renewable energies – whose production
is often dependent on the season or weather conditions –
into the energy system, to expand infrastructure by
upgrading transmission networks and distribution grids,
to improve coordination with neighbouring European
countries and to equably distribute the costs of transitioning
to renewable sources of energy.
The Energy Line Extension Act 2009 (EnLAG) is intended

to accelerate the further expansion of the German trans-
mission network in order to ensure that even those Energy debate in the Chancellor’s Office (1 April 2014).
renewable energies that are subject to large fluctuations
can be transmitted in the grid from the often decentralised in the Renewable Energy Sources Act was thus instru-
production locations to the centres of high demand for mental in creating the policy which enables power-inten-
electric power. sive manufacturing companies, as well as operators of
railways, to apply for an exemption from the EEG levy.
The EEG reform of 2014 is intended to control with
greater precision the demanding goals, while reducing Long-term perspectives
and better distributing the costs, of this further expansion.
A direct marketing obligation is intended to facilitate the By transitioning increasingly to renewable energy
introduction of renewable energies to the market. The sources, Germany has struck out upon a path which has
federal government’s objective is to ensure that Germany, gained it international attention. By 2050, Germany
the fifth-largest industrial nation in the world, remains intends to have an energy system that is climate friendly,
competitive even for energy-intensive industries. Value secure and economically efficient. This fundamentally
added and jobs are to be secured – a challenge which the new, sustainable energy system, marked by far lower
federal government is attempting to master by intensively emissions of CO2, will make a significant contribution
engaging with industry. When the costs of the transition to to international climate protection – and do so without
renewable sources of energy are apportioned, the concerns incurring any of the risks to humans and the environment
of a large number of stakeholders must be taken into posed by nuclear power.
consideration, such as power supply companies, grid
operators, the energy supply industry and investors, as In addition, the federal government is planning to use
well as a large number of energy consumers, including these new sources of energy to strengthen the German
private consumers. For example, the energy-intensive economy for the long term. Thanks to Germany’s time-
industries with more than 800,000 employees are the tested use of innovative, efficient technologies, and “Made
basis for the success or failure of a large number of other in Germany” machines and products, the domestic indus-
industries. And the renewable energy industry itself, try already has a strong competitive position. Successfully
which now has around 371,000 employees, is also a transitioning to renewable sources of energy will further
major economic factor. The Special Equalisation Scheme strengthen this base.
13
Technologies
iStock.com/lovro77
www.siemens.com/press
Two Siemens SWT-6.0-154 plants, a model actually designed for offshore use, have been
built in Wehlens, near Wilhelmshaven. The location offers wind conditions that are simi-
lar to the open sea. The two state-of-the-art large-scale plants are equipped with direct
drive generators and rotors that measure 154 metres in diameter. The system produces
enough energy to supply more than 14,000 households with climate-friendly power.
Wind Energy
Onshore wind turbines
To achieve high yields, turbines were developed with high

towers and blades with a large sweep. Sites on the top of
mountains or elevated positions are particularly suitable
for generating wind energy.
Onshore wind energy has seen rapid growth over the past
few years. This trend is likely to continue in international
Wind energy markets over the coming years, in particular thanks to the
increasing competitiveness of wind energy plants. Further
advances in technology have resulted in an ongoing rise in
plant efficiency over the past few years. The performance
and reliability of the plants have increased significantly, for
The use of wind energy to generate electricity is among the example.
most widely developed and most used renewable energy
technologies, and is on the increase in a growing number Two technologies have been developed further for effi-
of countries. Because of the economies of scale resulting ciently converting wind energy to electricity:
from falling system costs in production and project devel-
opment and the high natural potential, wind energy is ■■Systems with gears
becoming economically viable in more and more countries. ■■Gearless systems.
A distinction is made in the wind energy sector between Systems with gears represent the classic drive concept: with
onshore and offshore and small wind turbines. Onshore variable rotation speed, gears and fast-running generator.
wind energy will become increasingly important in terms of Gearless systems are also used as an alternative. In the
system stability in the medium term. But even offshore wind gearless system, the rotor can be found directly on the
energy will be able to contribute to basic supply given the rotor shaft.
constant wind speeds and high-capacity utilisation at sea.
The advantage of onshore plants compared with offshore
German companies are among the leading providers in wind energy (see below) lies primarily in the currently
the wind sector. The range of services offered by Germany lower investment costs. In onshore plants, local electricity
covers research, production of all types of components and generation is also carried out closer to the centres of con-
complete systems, project development, and the mainte- sumption; a situation that requires less investment in
nance and operational management of wind farms. “Made terms of grid expansion and operation and minimises
in Germany” wind energy products and services enjoy an transmission losses.
excellent reputation worldwide because of their reliability
and their high level of technological development. Offshore wind turbines
Offshore wind farms may partly replace conventional

Technologies and applications power stations in the long term because of greater capacity
utilisation as a result of the higher wind speeds at sea. The
Wind energy accounts for around 2.5 percent of the world’s expected energy yields here exceed any of those on land by
energy demand. The world’s entire installed capacity stood up to 100 percent.
at approximately 369.6 GW at the end of 2014. The largest
markets are in China (114.6 GW), USA (65.9 GW) and Ger- Offshore plants have to be sited, cabled, installed, operated
many (39.1 GW). In Germany, wind energy accounted for and maintained in deep water. The installation of an off-
9.1 percent of the total electricity generation market in 2014. shore wind farm is far more technically demanding than
that of an onshore wind farm because of the foundations
The following details the three technologies for utilising and a complicated grid connection. The construction stages
wind energy: are much more dependent upon the weather. In regular
operation exposure to strong wind and waves, together
17
Wind Energy
with the effects of salty air, pose particular challenges for
Senvion GmbH
the materials used. As a result, the system costs are signifi-
cantly higher than those for onshore plants.
Small wind turbines
There is, as yet, no precise definition for a small wind tur-

bine. The most common definitions are outlined briefly here:
■■According to IEC standard 61400-2:2006, small wind

turbines have a maximum rotor area of 200 m², which
equates to a nominal power of a maximum of 50 kW for
an electrical voltage of below 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC.
■■Germany’s Wind Energy Association (BWE) distinguishes

between three types of small wind turbines:
- Micro wind turbines (up to 5 kW nominal output)

- Mini wind turbines (from 5 kW to 30 kW) and
- Medium wind turbines (over 30 kW).
The tower is not normally higher than 20 m, and the

verage capacity of a small wind turbine is between 5 and
a Offshore wind farm, Thornton Bank.
10 kW.
Small wind turbines combined with other renewable Competence of the German industry
energy technologies, such as photovoltaics, are especially
suited to basic electricity supply in off-grid regions. German manufacturers have considerable expertise in all
the given types of application. This includes, for example,
the manufacture and setting up of turnkey wind turbines
Opinion panel and the production of individual components and mod-
ules, such as generators, gears and rotor blades and their
“We have followed wind individual parts.
energy with curiosity and
enthusiasm for 25 years. We Alongside specialised manufacturers of wind energy turbines,
invest in research and devel- many medium-sized companies of classic engineering have
opment and take the time to developed new business segments in Germany’s wind
develop and formulate appli- industry. Steel tube towers, concrete footings or castings
cable standards, such as for are required for the construction of wind energy systems
wind reports. In this way, we just as much as site surveys, certifications and type-approval
guarantee quality, combined tests. The entire value creation chain for wind energy is
with state-of-the-art methods shown from planning and project development right through
and technology, such as our to the construction and operation of turbines in Germany.
LiDAR wind measurement campaigns. With good initial
analysis during the wind measurements, we can reduce German companies have considerable experience in the
measurement errors to a minimum and save time and setting-up process and in the areas of service/maintenance
money during the wind farm planning. That is our and work safety in the offshore industry. In contrast with
concept.” most other countries with significant offshore capacities,
Carmen Bartelmai, Head of Department of Wind what counts here, in particular, is that the German off-
Assessment CUBE Engineering GmbH shore wind farms are erected some distance off the coast
and in water up to 45 meters deep.
18
Wind Energy
German manufacturers of small wind turbines have

Opinion panel
achieved greater professionalism in production over the
past few years. Numerous types of turbines from German “Wind energy is more than
manufacturers have been positioned in the market, espe- a bridging technology; it is
cially in the 1 – 20 kW range. a cost-effective, clean and
controllable pillar of mod-
ern energy matrices that is
Commercial use based on local resources.
Combined with the modern
Electricity generation costs vary depending on the type of grid, the potential can be
wind energy technology used: harnessed significantly and
rapidly. It can therefore
■■Onshore: Wind energy already has the lowest electricity defuse global disputes
generation costs among what are known as new renewable about access and ownership
energy technologies today (with the exception of large- of fossil resources.
scale hydro power) in the onshore sector, depending on Our reports are used for development that is optimised
the location. Electricity generation costs are therefore and with minimum risk, taking into account financial
currently in the 5.8 to 13.7 €ct/kWh range and at 2,200 feasibility and yield optimisation.”
peak-load hours p.a. within the range of conventional
hard-coal power plants. Andreas Jansen, CEO, ProfEC Ventus GmbH
■■Offshore: In the offshore wind application field the

prime costs are still currently significantly higher in the There has been a noticeable trend towards ever-larger
8.0 to 14.7 €ct/kWh range. Significant potential for cost rotor blades for several decades to increase the plants’
savings is expected here over the coming years thanks to yield even at lower wind speeds.
increasing economies of scale.
Repowering
■■Small wind turbines: For small wind turbines, elec-
tricity generation lies between 15 and 20 €ct/kWh based With repowering, so-called first generation wind energy
on the empirical values of turbine owners. Significant plants are replaced by modern turbines. In this way, capac-
deviations are possible depending on the location. At ities can be extended even in classic wind markets, such as
high electricity prices, the benefits can be achieved Germany, without sacrificing any further space.
through producing your own electricity and therefore
reducing the procurement costs for electricity. Even though demand for repowering is currently still low,
it holds considerable potential for the future. At the same
Further cost reductions are anticipated over the coming time, a market has developed for second-hand turbines
years in all the application fields mentioned. that are used as individual, stand-alone solutions.
International development
Outlook
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) estimates that
The wind energy business is on its way to becoming a by 2030 around 17 percent of the world’s electricity supply
global player. With this development and the increasing could be met by wind energy. Half of the world’s total
number of wind energy plants, service and spare parts installations are likely to be in aspiring markets, such as
management are becoming an ever-growing market. Brazil, China, India, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa and
Turkey. It is also apparent that national and multilateral
Even greater utilisation of the plants can be achieved in the development banks are increasingly steering investment in
area of production through technological development of the wind energy sector towards these emerging economies.
systems in the future. In addition, further falls in production
costs and improved local integration of energy systems
are expected.
19
Wind Energy
Continued international expansion of wind energy will
BWE/Jens Meier
depend upon the prevailing conditions in energy policy
and building legislation over the coming years. The key
conditions include the designation of appropriate areas for
plants both onshore and at sea, the removal of restrictive
height limits, the extension of grid infrastructure and the
promotion of energy storage technologies to make high-
yield sites even more efficient.
Research and development in wind energy aims, in par-

ticular, to reduce its negative environmental impact, such
as noise and light emissions.
Onshore
In the case of onshore wind energy, it is also important to
improve public acceptance of wind farms. This can be
helped by participation models such as citizens’ wind farms
(see information panel “Wind energy as an addition to
hydropower”). This model is already being used in several
countries, for example, in Germany and Denmark.
Offshore
Forecasts for the offshore sector are positive and foresee
strong growth for 2015 and 2016, particularly in the EU.
The reason for this is the planned EU-wide expansion of
Repowering project in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.
Rotor diameter
Hub height
1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008 2011 2012 2014

Nominal power (kW) 80 250 600 1,500 3,000 6,000 7,500 7,500 8,000
Rotor diameter (m) 20 30 46 70 90 126 127 154 164
Hub height (m) 40 50 78 100 105 135 149 149 149
Growth of wind energy turbines since 1985. Source: German Wind Energy Association (BWE), dena.
20
Wind Energy
offshore projects that are likely to achieve a newly installed
BVKW
capacity of 2.9 GW in 2015 and 2016. Numerous footings
have already been set up off the German coast and are
awaiting further expansion as part of the wind farms cur-
rently under construction. The UK and Belgium show the
greatest potential in the offshore area alongside Germany,
but the market has also begun to move into the Netherlands
and Denmark.
Small wind turbines

Small wind turbines are becoming increasingly popular for
the independent and self-sufficient generation of electric-
ity. Considerable potential is seen here, particularly, in
developing and emerging economies with a low electrifica-
tion rate. For example, small wind turbines can supply
electricity as stand-alone systems or be easily integrated
into existing island networks or hybrid systems. According
to a forecast by the World Wind Energy Association
(WWEA), a cumulative installed capacity of approximately
5 GW could be achieved by 2020. Small wind turbine.
Wind energy as an addition to hydropower
In numerous countries, a significant proportion of Thanks to high natural potential in many regions, wind
electricity is produced in hydroelectric stations. The energy plants offer the possibility of complementing electric-
security of supply is put at risk time and again by dry ity production from hydroelectric power stations or can act
periods, for example. These shortfalls are still largely as a buffer for shortfalls in the same. For example, wind
countered by conventional backup systems, based on energy plants can be used for regenerative electricity produc-
the use of fossil fuels, e.g. generators, or by importing tion in dry periods. Excess wind electricity can be used for
electricity. the interim storage of water in pumped-storage plants.
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
File: Sylvensteinspeicher_100708.jpg
Reservoir.
21
Schluchseewerk AG
This pumped storage power plant in Häusern, Germany, generates around

120 million kWh of electricity per annum.
Hydropower
are normally used to cover the base load. Their capacity is

determined mostly by the gradient and the water level.
Some run-of-the-river power plants can also dam water at
times of low energy demand in order to use it as a reserve
when demand is higher.
A diversion hydropower plant is a special type of run-of-

the-river plant. The water is dammed in a weir and redi-
rected onto the turbines by means of a separate feeder
Hydropower channel. In the case of a standard run-of-the-river power

plant, there is only a slight difference in the height between
the upper and lower water levels, but a diversion hydro-
power plant exploits the greater height difference created
by the diversion.
Hydropower has been used for generating electricity ever
since the end of the nineteenth century, and is now used Storage power plants
in 159 countries around the world. Today, it is the most Storage power plants store the water in a natural or artifi-
widely used renewable energy source for generating elec- cial lake and feed it via pipelines into a lower-lying power
tricity worldwide. With a total installed capacity of 1,055 GW plant. Such plants can operate independently of natural
worldwide in 2014, hydropower generation for the year water inflow, and are particularly suited to balancing fluc-
is estimated at 3,900 TWh. Given the rising demand, the tuations in regional and national electricity generation and
proportion of hydropower in the world’s electricity genera- consumption. They are used both to cover the electrical
tion is unlikely to increase any further in 2020, though it base load and for peak load operation.
will total approximately 4,500 TWh.
Pumped storage power plants
Base load capability, storage capability, grid stabilisation A pumped storage power plant uses two reservoirs to store
and decentralisation are hydropower’s strengths, and it water, with the greatest possible height difference between
still holds great potential in the context of the international the upper and lower reservoirs. During off-peak periods,
shift from conventional energy supply to the increased use e.g. at night or when there is a large amount of solar or
of renewables. wind energy in the grid, water is pumped from the lower
to the upper reservoir. There, it is once again available for
Hydropower will play an even greater role as a base load electricity generation at peak load times. Pelton turbines
in an energy mix where more electricity will be generated are used to drive the generator.
from renewable energy sources. It can contribute to bal-
ancing the fluctuations in generation which arise through
the use of weather-dependent solar and wind energy, and
Voith press image
therefore enable a stable electricity supply from renewable

energy sources. Significant investment therefore continues
to be made in pump storage technologies. Pumps with a
variable speed, in particular, are required to balance out
the increasing number of short-term fluctuations caused
by wind and solar electricity.
Technologies and applications
Types of power plant
Run-of-the-river power plants/river power plants St. Anton, Austria: The Kartell storage power plant with a capacity
of 4,239 kW makes use of water flowing from a drop height of 528 m
Run-of-the-river/river power plants are the most common at a rate of 0.90 m³/sec. The plant is run by two horizontal-axis,
type worldwide. They use the flow energy of a river, and twin-nozzle Pelton turbines.
23
Hydropower
Andritz Hydro
Francis turbine runner on a rotary welding positioner, output 770 MW. Pelton turbine: The water flows at high speed from one or more nozzles
directly onto the blades of the turbine wheel. Source: www.solarpraxis.de /
M.Römer.
Types of power plants for exploiting marine energy Cross flow turbines
The kinetic energy of waves, tidal range and tidal flow can Cross flow turbines are used for low drop heights and low
also be used to generate electricity. One advantage of using water volumes. They generally have a small capacity.
marine energy is the uniform energy supply and the ensu-
ing balancing effect on the renewable energy mix. While Power categories
tidal range power plants are already technically mature,
other technologies such as wave power plants are still at The power of a hydropower plant is generally dependent
the development stage. upon the water flow rate and the drop height of the system,
and on the efficiency of the water turbine, gear mechanism,
Turbines generator and transformer. A distinction is made between
large hydropower plants and small hydropower plants
The type of turbine used depends on the rate of flow and depending on the power category.
head height (pressure) of the water.
Small hydropower (SHP)
Francis turbine Small hydropower (SHP) is defined as the use of hydraulic
The Francis turbine is one of the oldest types of conven- energy by local, small hydropower plants that do not
tional turbine, used primarily in small hydropower plants. generally involve any significant environmental impact.
It is suitable for low drop heights and medium flow rates. Most of these plants are on small rivers and do not have a
reservoir but water basins of different size and construction.
Hydrodynamic screws
Hydrodynamic screws work on the principle of the Archi- There is, however, no international consensus on the defi-
medes’ screw. They are primarily used for small drop nition of small hydropower. The classification of small
heights and low capacities. hydropower systems which has become generally accepted
is as follows:
Kaplan and bulb turbines ■■Micro: 1 kW – 100 kW
Kaplan and bulb turbines are common types of turbine ■■Mini: 100 kW – 1,000 kW
for run-of-the-river power plants with small drop heights ■■Small: 1,000 kW – 10,000 kW.
of 6 to 15 m and high-volume flows. They are suitable for
fluctuating water volumes. Plants with a capacity of up to 1 MW are therefore considered
to be small hydropower plants in Germany. In China, small
Pelton turbine hydropower can refer to capacities of up to 25 MW, in India,
The Pelton turbine, a free-stream turbine, is used for high up to 15 MW, and in Sweden to plants of up to 1.5 MW. In
drop heights from 100 m to 1,000 m and/or low water Europe, a total capacity of up to 10 MW, following the Euro-
volumes. pean Small Hydropower Association (ESHA), has become
the generally recognised upper limit for small hydropower.
24
Hydropower
A significant proportion of further development in hydro-

diversion weir power technology is being provided by German companies.
canal Their current projects include work on innovative turbine
forebay tank
concepts and technical solutions for hydropower plants
with drop heights of less than 10 m. German companies
are also playing an important role in the research and
development of turbines and power plants that exploit
marine energy, for example, as part of the construction
of the first wave power plant with a permanent connection
penstock
powerhouse
power line to the national grid in Scotland, and the first commercial
tailrace wave power plant in Spain, in operation since 2011.
German project development companies have substantial

Construction of a typical small hydropower plant. Energy is generated by experience in the development and construction of site-
the fall of the water from the intake basin to the power house, where the
adapted fish ladders, which take into account the latest
generator turbine is located. Many other system layouts are possible.
Source: Sunbeam GmbH. research and technology.
Opinion panel
Environmental requirements
“Small hydropower plants
The construction of hydropower plants does entail inter- are extremely well-suited to
vention into the landscape. Statutory regulations affecting low-cost power generation in
water, nature and landscape protection therefore have to remote areas and therefore
be taken into account when planning a hydropower plant. contribute significantly to its
Ecological connectivity for fish and other water organisms commercial development.
is guaranteed by means of costly fish ladders. The simplicity of the original
OSSBERGER® cross-flow
Small hydropower plants are considered to have less of an turbines means that abso-
impact upon the environment than large power plants. The lutely anybody can use the
use, modernisation and reactivation of existing facilities is installation and perform the
also carried out alongside building new facilities. annual maintenance. Thanks to modern remote
systems, on-site monitoring is not necessary.”
Dipl. Ing. (FH) Holger Franke, Sales Manager,
Competence of the German industry Ossberger GmbH + Co
German companies have been developing, installing and “The simple and robust
operating hydropower plants for more than 100 years. mechanics of the DIVE tur-
Roughly half of all hydropower plants worldwide are bine allow the construction
based on German technology and expertise – from project and operation of highly effi-
development, to the delivery of components and complete cient, low-maintenance,
systems right through to business management and main- small hydropower stations.
tenance. This longstanding experience is the basis of the The straightforward and
excellent quality of German products and services, regard- clear interfaces of the DIVE
less of whether the capacity is a few kW or several MW. turbine to the adjoining
power plant components are
German firms enable the high-performance and efficient of great help in this context.
operation of hydropower plants worldwide, with favour Generator and electrical equipment is fully assembled
able life-cycle costs, in particular thanks to low mainte- and extensively tested in Germany before it is delivered.”
nance requirements. German companies are involved in Dipl.-Wi.-Ing. Christian Winkler, Marketing and
implementing many international hydropower projects, Product Manager, DIVE Turbinen GmbH & Co. KG
such as large hydropower projects in eastern Turkey.
25
Hydropower
power plant is to be erected. The use of hydropower plants

Opinion panel
is profitable above all in locations with a reliable supply of
“Government policies usable water and good possibilities for connecting to the
need to promote renewable existing electricity grid. The power plants often have to be
energy sources in a way that switched off during flooding or low water levels. To achieve
maximises hydropower’s optimum output, the power plant has to be adapted exactly
contribution to the reliability to the body of water.
of the supply.”
Old sites of small hydropower plants are frequently reused to
Dr. Roland Münch, expand hydropower. In most cases, both the control techno
Chairman of the Board, logy and the turbine have to be replaced, significantly
Voith Hydro increasing the economic viability of the existing power plant.
In regions still lacking an extensive electricity grid, a hydro

electric power plant as the centre of a stand-alone system
Commercial use can support the economic upswing of the entire region.
Hydropower plants achieve a high efficiency factor. They Incentive schemes

are able to convert up to 90 percent of usable hydropower
into electricity. Hydropower is very competitive compared To ensure the continued increase in the use of hydropower
with other renewables and conventional power plant tech- plants it is, however, crucial that they receive support from
nologies thanks to low electricity generation costs. The environmental policy. Hydropower plants are subsidised
generation costs of large hydropower projects can be as differently in different countries and according to plant
low as 0.02 USD/kWh, while average generation costs are size. In Germany, for example, subsidies for electricity
quoted as 0.05 USD/kWh. As the technology is mature, from hydropower are regulated by the feed-in tariffs in
there is limited potential for further cost reductions. the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).
The high reliability in operation and supply and the sustain- Elsewhere, expansion of hydropower is promoted by
able reduction in fuel costs offer a cost-effective opportunity means of government invitations to tender: For example,
to secure basic electricity supplies. As hydropower plants, the Peruvian plan for the electrification of rural areas
depending on their type, are able to store and quickly provide (PNER) provides in particular for the expansion of small
electricity based on demand, they contribute significantly hydropower plants over the period from 2011 to 2021.
to grid stability. Hydropower plants reduce our dependency
on and the risks of importing energy and are a basis for As well as direct subsidies by means of feed-in tariffs,
economic development in regions without a comprehensive regional trading in emission rights creates additional
energy supply. incentives for investment in renewable technologies with
low CO2 emissions.
Site-dependent aspects
Hydropower plants are adapted to the natural conditions Outlook

of their operational site to achieve optimal yields. The
financial viability of a plant is calculated based on invest- Hydropower will continue to play an important role in the
ment costs, operating costs and income. Operating costs worldwide electricity supply in the future. There is still sig-
include taxes, possible lease, insurance and maintenance nificant potential for expanding hydropower plant capacities
costs. The use of automatic monitoring and maintenance in many countries.
reduces operating costs while increasing the power plant’s
productivity. In saturated regions, such as Europe and North America,
the focus is on modernising, reactivating or expanding
To ensure that the high investment costs are amortised, the existing plants. Optimising and modernising existing sys-
site of power plants must be investigated with precision with tems also brings larger projects into harmony with the
regard to the conditions offered by the waters on which the environment, taking account of ecological criteria.
26
Hydropower
The trend in global development is towards international

India 41
projects for generating electricity from hydropower. Coun- Norway 29
Turkey 24
Russia 48
tries pool their energy resources, for example, in Central Japan 23
Canada 78 France 20
America’s Electrical Interconnection System (SIEPAC) or Venezuela 16
Italy 16
Africa’s power pools. Even remote areas are able to use United
Sweden 16
States 79
electricity from hydropower thanks to new and very long Vietnam 15
Switzerland 15
transmission lines. The longest transmission line on earth Spain 14
Mexico 12
is currently taking shape on the Madeira river in Brazil. Brazil 89 Colombia 11
1,055 GW Iran 10
total in 2014 Austria 10
An exchange programme is also planned between Germany
and Norway, including a submarine cable, which will con-
duct electricity between the two countries. Norway covers
Rest of
around 98 percent of its domestic electricity needs with the world 208
hydropower, but is also able to exploit its abundance of

water to balance out fluctuations in supply from wind and China 282
solar power in other countries.

Global total of pure installed hydropower capacity (GW)
by country in 2014. Figures do not include pumped storage.
Small-scale hydropower is also being used increasingly for Source: 2015 Key Trends in Hydropower.
the electrification of remote regions, for example, by means
of integration with hybrid systems in conjunction with
other renewable energy technologies.
There is greater research into technologies and concepts
Research into and improvements in the technologies being for the use of tidal energies (see also the information panel
used are also accelerating an upswing in the progressive “Use of tidal and marine energy”). According to estimates
development of hydropower capacities. Further regular by the IHA, there is currently an installed capacity of
improvements in the plant design, in the selection of mate- approximately 516 MW in tidal and marine hydropower
rials or the construction of dams and fish ladders are also worldwide. The project pipeline currently accounts for at
making a contribution. least 3 GW worldwide.
Use of tidal and marine energy
Generating electricity from the natural flow of the oceans Among the challenges are cost reductions, integration
is still in its infancy, but may in the future make a sub- into the electricity grid, tough mechanical demands,
stantial contribution to worldwide energy supply. corrosion and plant maintenance.
One benefit is the base load capability of the generated

Voith Hydro
electricity, as the tides of the oceans are easy to predict.
In countries such as Canada, the USA, Russia, Australia

or Great Britain wich are surrounded by oceans with high
current and/or high tides, there is considerable potential
for using tides and marine energy for regenerative
electricity generation. The comprehensive 3 GW project
pipeline worldwide is just at the start of the anticipated
market development.
While tidal range power plants are already largely techno-

logically mature, other technologies, such as wave power
Artist’s impression of Voith HyTide 1000-13 1 MW turbine during
plants, have yet to achieve the stage of market maturity. installation.
27
Herrenknecht Vertical
Herrenknecht Vertical Terra Invader 350 system in Kirchstockach.

Geothermal energy
the geothermal gradient and measured in mK per metre.

This gradient is caused by the heat flow from the depths
to the earth’s surface. The temperature of the first metres
below the earth’s surface is influenced additionally by solar
radiation and precipitation.
Depending on the drilling depth, a distinction is made

between deep geothermal energy (>400 m) and near-
surface geothermal energy (<400 m).
Geothermal energy Deep geothermal energy
Deep geothermal energy is used both to generate electricity

in power plants and for heat in large heat grids for industrial
Geothermal energy (terrestrial heat) is the heat energy production or supplying heat to buildings. One advantage
stored beneath the surface of the earth. The heat stored in over other renewable energy sources is that deep geother-
the earth is available around the clock, does not depend on mal energy is not subject to seasonal or diurnal variations,
weather or seasons and is thus suitable for meeting base but is constantly available. Geothermal power plants can
load requirements. The technologies so far developed offer provide renewable electricity and generating capacities
flexible methods of using this energy for heating, cooling around the clock and independent of seasons, weather
and generating electricity: or climatic conditions.
■■Near-surface geothermal energy: Provides heating, Deep geothermal energy assumes the exploitability of heat
cooling or hot water, for example, in multi-family homes. reservoirs at high temperatures. It is especially popular in
■■Deep geothermal energy: Electricity generation regions with high enthalpy deposits. These include countries
in power plants and/or use of heat in heating plants with volcanoes, such as Iceland, Indonesia, New Zealand or
in conjunction with district heating systems. East Africa. Here, temperatures of 100 °C can be found at a
depth of only a few metres. Even in low enthalpy regions,
The potential of geothermal energy can be used practically geothermal energy can be used through deep boreholes.
everywhere. In countries such as Germany, Italy, Indonesia, Depending on the availability of deep water, the water
the Philippines, Mexico, the USA and Iceland, the use of permeability and the system concept, a distinction is made
geothermal energy for heating and electricity generation
has been part of the energy concept for many years. In 2012,
223 TWh of renewable energy from geothermal sources
was extracted worldwide, 2/3 of which was for heating and
1/3 for electricity generation.
The German geothermal energy industry encompasses the

entire range of geothermal technologies: from deep geo-
thermal energy, both hydrothermal and petrothermal, for
heating, cooling and electricity generation to near-surface
geothermal energy which makes use of the heat in the
topmost layers of the earth or in the groundwater.
The deeper one drills down into the earth, the warmer it
gets. In Germany, the temperature rises an average of
three degrees (Kelvin) per 100 metres. The temperature Principle of petrothermal geothermal energy according to the Organic Rankine
increase per drilled section of a borehole is referred to as Cycle (ORC) method. Source: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.
29
Geothermal energy
between hydrothermal and petrothermal geothermal energy, Near-surface geothermal energy

as well as deep borehole heat exchangers:
Near-surface geothermal energy makes use of boreholes
Hydrothermal geothermal energy going down to about 400 m and temperatures of up to
Hydrothermal geothermal energy uses hot water bearing 25 °C for heating and cooling buildings, technical plants or
strata at a great depth directly to generate energy. Depend- infrastructural facilities, as well as for water heating. It can
ing on the flow rate and temperature of the thermal water, be used in many regions of the world and is particularly
hydrothermal geothermal energy can be used for generating suitable for single- or multi-family houses, blocks of flats,
heat and/or electricity; for the latter, the water temperature public buildings, central administration offices, hospitals,
must be above 100 °C. The steam drives a steam turbine schools and business enterprises, as well as for heating
and can also be used for other heat consumers such as road surfaces for ice prevention and improving road safety.
households or industry. The cooled thermal water is then
returned underground through a second borehole, known The heat is drawn from below the ground but near the sur-
as the reinjection borehole. The water-bearing bed needs face (the upper layers of earth and groundwater). The
to have the widest possible vertical and lateral spread to energy is drawn from insulated heat and the flow of heat
ensure long-term use. from the earth’s interior to the earth’s surface. Up to a depth
of about 20 m, or a maximum of 40 m depending on the
Petrothermal geothermal energy geological conditions, the temperature in the upper layers
Petrothermal geothermal energy makes use of deep-lying of earth is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Below this depth,
heat reservoirs, which have no water flow, or only a negli- the temperature is independent of seasonal temperature
gible water flow. Reservoirs can be hot, dry layers of rock changes in the outside air. The annual average temperature
at a depth of three to six km and with correspondingly high differs depending on the location. In Germany, the temper-
temperatures of more than 150 °C. They are developed by atures at a depth of 10 – 20 m are thus 8 – 12 °C. For each
drilling two or more holes. Hydraulic and chemical stimu- additional 100 m of depth, the temperature increases on
lation processes (enhanced geothermal systems, EGS) average by about 3 °C. At a depth of 400 m, 20 – 25 °C can
create cracks and fissures in the rock. Using an injection be achieved. The heat that can be extracted from the
borehole, water is pressed into the rock at high pressure ground also depends on the nature of the soil and rock.
where it is heated before rising through the production
well. The hot water is used to heat water or agents with a Thermal development of the soil
low boiling point to generate steam for a turbine. Heat can Borehole heat exchangers, geothermal heat collectors or
also be fed into district heating grids via a heat exchanger. energy piles are commonly used to thermally develop the soil:
Deep borehole heat exchangers Borehole heat exchangers

Deep borehole heat exchangers refer to a closed system for Borehole heat exchangers are used at depths of 50 – 250 m.
geothermal energy production comprising a single borehole Their use is widespread in Central and Northern Europe.
at depths of more than 400 m down to several thousand They have a low space requirement and make use of a
metres. The heat thus produced is used directly for heating: constant temperature level. The exchangers are typically
From greenhouse heating at low temperatures up to process implemented as vertical boreholes in which plastic (HDPE)
heat for industrial and commercial applications at high tubing is installed. Within the tubes, a heat transfer fluid
temperatures. Double pipe exchangers are inserted into the circulates that absorbs heat from the surrounding ground
borehole. Water circulates through these exchangers in a and feeds it to the heat pump. Using this technology,
closed circuit. The heat from the water heated at a depth plants of different sizes – from small residential units to
is then extracted at the surface and delivered to a heat complete residential and office complexes – can be sup-
pump circuit. plied with heat or cold.
Geothermal heat collectors

At a depth of 80 – 160 cm, geothermal heat collectors are
laid horizontally and their temperature is strongly influ-
enced by prevailing surface weather conditions. An area of
about 200 – 250 m² is required for a single-family house.
30
Geothermal energy
Shallow geothermal energy Two wells are needed. In the production well, groundwater
0 5 °C 10 °C 15 °C 20 °C is conveyed to the surface, where it surrenders a portion of
shallow geothermal its heat to a heat exchanger. Then the cooled groundwater
1.5 m energy area,
geothermal goes through an inverted well back into the ground to be
direct solar radiation and precipitation
energy storage
reheated. Alternative systems work with a single well. Here
5.0 m the groundwater is fed back into a higher layer than it was
winter drawn from.
spring
summer
autumn Using near-surface geothermal energy and the
10.0 m
ambient air by means of heat pumps
Heat pumps in combination with energy piles, geothermal
heat collectors, borehole heat exchangers or other ground-
15.0 m contact concrete structures enable the use of near-surface
neutral zone begins
constant 10 °C geothermal energy. A heat pump relies on electricity –
30.0 m neutral zone ends rarely gas – as its driving energy. The efficiency of heat
shallow geothermal
geothermal heat flow
energy pump systems is a result of the relationship of usable

+3 k/100 m
ground temperature and the required flow temperature
of the heating system. To help make operations as efficient
deep
geothermal
as possible, an energy assessment should therefore be
400 m energy begins made before use. An optimally configured heat pump can
improve the indoor environment and reduce energy costs
Natural near-surface temperature distribution in the depths. for heating and air conditioning in buildings. Geothermal
Source: www.solarpraxis.de.
heat pumps increase the temperature prevailing in the
ground to the temperatures required in the building.
The heat transfer medium circulating through the piping Annual costs can, as a rule, be lowered by approx.
loop transports the energy extracted from the ground to 50 percent compared to oil and gas heating systems.
the heat pump. Investing in geothermal heat collectors is
less expensive than investing in heat exchangers, but less How a heat pump works
efficient because they operate at less depth. Depending on the type of driving energy used, a distinction
is made between compression and sorption heat pumps:
Energy piles
Energy piles are deep-reaching concrete piles, slurry walls Compression heat pumps are the most common type of
or other structurally necessary concrete components built heat pump. They use the heat generated by the evaporation
underground, which are fitted out with plastic pipes. Water of a liquid. A refrigerant circulates in a compression heat
is used as the main medium for exploiting the geothermal pump; driven by a compressor, the refrigerant alternately
heat. The cold water is heated by geothermal energy in the adopts liquid and gaseous states. The basic principle is
concrete piles. An intermediate heat pump uses the warm similar to a refrigerator: heat is extracted from the ground
water to heat the building. in order to evaporate a refrigerant. This vapour is heated
strongly in a compressor and transfers its heat energy to the
In summer, borehole heat exchangers, geothermal heat col- heating system, cooling and liquefying again in the process.
lectors and energy piles can be used for moderate cooling.
The sorption heat pump uses thermal drive energy. It can
Groundwater be powered by gas, oil, waste heat and solar heat and is
Groundwater can also be used under certain circumstances characterised by a high level of efficiency in terms of primary
as a supply of heat. In Germany, the groundwater tempera- energy use. A distinction is made between two physical/
ture is 7 to 14 °C, depending on region, depth and season. chemical processes, those of absorption and adsorption.
At a depth of 20 to 30 m, it is constant at roughly 10 °C. Absorption involves a liquid or gas being taken up by another
Thus groundwater still supplies enough energy to heat liquid, whereas in adsorption the liquid is retained on the
a house, even in extreme winter weather. surface of a solid, as a function of pressure and temperature.
31
Geothermal energy
Using various sources of energy
Viessmann Werke
by means of heat pumps
Heat pumps can use various sources of energy
to provide heating or cooling:
■■Geothermal heat: brine-to-water heat pumps

■■Heat stored in the groundwater: water-to-water
heat pumps
■■Heat stored in the ambient air: air-to-water heat pumps.
Geothermal heat can be developed using a brine-to-water

heat pump. Geothermal heat has nearly the same tempera-
ture all year round. A geothermal heat collector at a depth
of 1.5 m, laid like a heating coil, draws heat from the earth.
The alternative to a collector is to produce heat with a space-
saving borehole heat exchanger, which extracts geothermal
heat with special heat exchangers which go up to 100 m
down into the ground, where the temperature is approx.
10 °C all year round. A brine-to-water heat pump is ideal for heating rooms and providing
hot water for single-family homes. The heat pump shown here offers
a comfortable year-round heat supply in a range of 5.8 to 17.2 kW in
The heat stored in the groundwater is always available and monovalent operation.
does not depend on the season or the outside temperature.
A water-to-water heat pump draws the required heat from
the groundwater and transfers it to the heating system. Competence of the German industry
Air-heat pumps use the ambient air as a heat source. How- The German geothermal industry covers the entire range
ever, the ambient air is at its coldest in winter where the of geothermal technologies: From near-surface geothermal
demand for heat is high, and this reduces the yield of the energy to hydrothermal and petrothermal, deep geothermal
heat pump. energy for generating heat, refrigeration and power.
Cooling with heat pumps The low-temperature geothermal energy technologies devel-
To enable active cooling, the functional principle of the heat oped by German engineers have great potential. In particular,
pump is simply reversed. Cooling can be achieved through technical know-how in plant and process engineering ensures
reversible operation. This means that the refrigeration that German specialists are internationally sought-after.
circuit is internally reversed or achieved by switching over
the primary and secondary connections. Like a refrigerator, Besides developing and manufacturing technology, the
the heat pump then actively lowers the temperature. This is industry covers the entire value-added chain. Feasibility
called “active cooling”. and profitability studies are performed, and practicability
concepts created. German companies are successful in all
In passive cooling, the brine liquid or the groundwater aspects, from project development, planning and construc-
takes the heat from the heating circuit by means of a heat tion management, through drilling, facility construction at
exchanger and releases it. In the process, the air in the the power plant, to operating the plant. The German sup-
building cools. This function is also called “natural cooling” plier industry rounds off the range of performance, with
because it makes use of the natural ambient temperature leading manufacturers of components such as borehole
for cooling. Here the heat pump is switched off except for heat exchangers and heat pumps.
the control and the circulating pump.
With its practical orientation, German research and devel-
opment aims to minimise the exploration risk in a project
and sustainably secure the productivity of the deposits
used later on, thus ensuring more efficient and more
sustainable power plant operation.
32
Geothermal energy
The first geothermal power plant in Germany started oper- Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV).
ation in Waren an der Müritz in 1984 and is still providing This stipulates a comprehensive hazard analysis during
heat for 1,800 households today, three decades later. Since planning and before commissioning, as well as repeated
the start of the 21st century, electricity projects using geo- inspections when the plant is in operation later. The mech-
thermal heat have also been developed in Germany. A large anisms causing corrosion when the plant is in operation
number of successful examples, which have been producing are known, however, and can be kept under control by
electricity with roughly 248 MW of heat and 31.31 MW choosing suitable materials.
of electrical power, underscore the leading role which the
development of hydro-geothermal projects occupies in In view of existing geothermal resources and the fully
Germany today. A rapid rise in the use of hydro-geother- developed technology available, deep geothermal energy is
mal energy is expected by 2030. an especially valuable form of energy production because it
is suitable for meeting base load requirements, and is also
becoming more and more interesting to investors world-
Commercial use wide. The demonstrated risks can be largely controlled by
taking a systematic approach, and competent technical
Deep geothermal energy project support provides additional investment security.
The economic viability of deep geothermal projects depends Incentive systems

on the local geological characteristics. The decisive factors Political discussions on future energy supply are increas-
here are the temperatures and the potential flow rates of ingly looking to geothermal energy. A clear legal and
the thermal water and drilling the depth necessary for stable policy framework in the field of electricity feed-in is
exploitation. The heat grid is also a major factor in heat a key factor in the success of connecting geothermal power
projects. Given a large coverage area, a mains-locked plants to the electricity grid. In the case of power projects,
supply of geothermal energy is a very cheap alternative the remuneration tariff as defined in Germany, for example,
to an in-house system. by the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), plays a major
role. Along with the production and lucrative marketing of
Other factors affecting the economic viability of a deep electricity, selling heat also contributes to the profitability
geothermal power plant are the exploration risk, the of a project.
reservoir risk, the interface risk and the operating risk.
The exploration risk, that is, the risk of finding insufficient
The exploration risk denotes the danger of finding insufficient quantities or temperatures of thermal water after complet-
quantities or quality of thermal water after one or more ing drilling operations, can be offset by long-term financing
drilling operations. The reservoir risk consists of the rein- models and insurance solutions or state guarantees. In
jection borehole not exhibiting sufficient capacity for the Germany, for instance, the exploration risk can be reduced
cooled thermal water. These risks can be technologically through the “Exploration Risk Credit Programme” run by
minimised through preliminary explorations and a targeted the Federal Ministry for the Environment and through
selection of the drilling site. special exploration insurance policies.
During the construction phase of a deep geothermal pro- Apart from Germany, state development aid programmes
ject, the interfaces between the various people involved which enable geothermal projects to be implemented have
in the project have a strong effect on the feasibility and been in place for years in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
profitability. As a rule, the thermal water used for producing
energy has a heavy salt content and a marked corrosive Near-surface geothermal energy
effect during the operating phase. The plant’s primary cir-
cuit must therefore be designed accordingly and constantly In near-surface geothermal energy, the flow temperatures
monitored. of the heating system and the quality of the installation are
decisive for bottom-line economic feasibility. Comprehen-
The operating risk resulting from operating the plant can sive planning by a qualified company should precede the
be controlled through careful planning and monitoring. In building of any geothermal heating system. The use of heat
Germany, deep geothermal power plants are usually seen pumps in new and existing buildings began to increase sig-
as plants requiring monitoring within the meaning of the nificantly in Central and Northern Europe as early as 2006.
33
Geothermal energy
Although air-water heat pumps are cheaper to install, they In the deep geothermal energy sector, the priority objectives
are 20–30 percent less efficient than ground-coupled heat are those of minimising exploration risk and ensuring
pumps owing to their greater dependence on weather. sustainable deposit productivity in order to reduce the
Combinations with other renewable energy technologies investment risk in the future and thus achieve wider mar-
such as photovoltaics have an additional impact on the ket penetration. Advanced developments with regard to
economic viability. For example, the use of a heat pump preliminary seismic surveys have already demonstrated
can considerably increase the percentage of internal power their effect.
consumption from the photovoltaic system, while at the
same time ensuring the cost stability of the power supply Near-surface geothermal energy is already well established
for the heat pump in the long term. throughout Central and Northern Europe. In this sector,
research is ongoing in new source technologies, drilling
Incentive systems methods and the use of seasonal heat and cold storage
The German government plans to have 14 percent of heating installations. A reference plant for seasonal energy storage
in Germany come from renewable energies by 2020. To in the ground is located in the Reichstag building, the seat
reach this goal, the use of near-surface geothermal energy, of the German Bundestag in Berlin.
among other things, is being stipulated and promoted. This
means that owners of new buildings with usable floor space There is considerable potential for geothermal electricity
of more than 50 m² are obligated to cover the energy generation along the Ring of Fire around the Pacific Ocean
requirement for heating (and cooling) proportionally from and on the islands in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, among other
renewable sources of energy. When using geothermal or areas. Major development perspectives for the electrification
environmental heating, at least 50 percent of the entire of rural areas exist on the African continent in particular.
heating requirement must be covered. In order to be In addition to hot spots such as the Hawaiian Islands,
approved within the scope of the Renewable Energies there are also very lucrative sites for heat and electricity
Heat Act (EEWärmeG), heat pumps must fulfil particular generation to be found in Southeast Asia, New Zealand,
requirements with regard to efficiency and quality. along the Andes in South America and in parts of the
Middle East.
What is more, heat pumps in Germany are subsidised
by the state through the Market Incentive Programme.
The condition for receiving a subsidy is that the heat
pumps are installed to meet the need for heating and
hot water in existing residential buildings in which there
is already a heating system. In order for the subsidy to be
approved, heat pumps must fulfil certain performance
figures and produce the appropriate certifications.
What is more, the federally owned KfW Bank Group supports

the installation of heat pumps in new and existing buildings
with low-interest loans. However, the KfW programmes
cannot be combined with the Market Incentive Programme.
Outlook
The international market potential of geothermal energy

for sustainable and CO2-free energy generation is huge.
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the geo Poor Moderate Good Very good Excellent
thermal electricity production capacity is expected to more This map shows the current technical potential for geothermal energy
than double by 2030. In contrast to the comparatively in Europe. Source: Boxem, T.A.P., Wees, J.D. van., Pluymaekers, M.P.D.,
mature markets of solar and wind energy, geothermal Beekman, F., Batini, F., Bruhn, D., Calcagno, P., Manzella, A., Schell-
schmidt, T., November 2011, “ThermoGIS World Aquifer Viewer - An
energy is still an emerging industry in many places. Interactive Geothermal Aquifer Resource Assessment Web-tool”, EAGE:
1st Sustainable Earth Sciences Conference & Exhibition.
34
Geothermal energy
Planning a hydrothermal plant project – what must be done?
Owing to the existence of natural potentials in Europe, IV. Exploration (Phase 2)

water is increasingly being pumped out of deep ground 5. Extended geophysical exploration
water pipes to extract its heat and return the cooled water (3D seismic imaging, etc.), if necessary
a certain distance away through an injection borehole 6. Final geological modelling and tentative reservoir
(doublet). Careful long-term planning is indispensable modelling
for this type of hydrothermal plant. The most important Stipulation of a project site
steps in the work are presented in abbreviated form (processes related to construction planning
below: regulations, etc.) with the general public involved
7. Detailed planning of the borehole(s) and the drilling
I. Preliminary study
area
1. Objective
2. Clarification of the basic geoscientific conditions /
V. Feasibility study (Stage 2)
the requirements in terms of mining law
5. Calculations of profitability (development
3. Clarification of the use of the energy
and operating costs, expenses and proceeds)
(heat provision with optional generation of
6. Risk analysis (exploration, reservoir, interface
power from waste heat),
and operating risk)
clarification of specific aspects of the site
7. Ecological audit, assessment of effects on the
(heat sinks and possibly existing heat grids)
environment
clarification of basic economic conditions
8. Project flow chart
(for example, price of heat, etc.)
4. Preparation of a rough technical concept
VI. Exploration (Phase 3)
(various development possibilities, necessary drilling,
8. Call for bids on the first drilling, setting up
heating systems or power plants)
an operating plan
5. Cost estimate
9. Optional: Planning and call for bids on monitoring
measures (groundwater monitoring, vibration
II. Exploration (Phase 1)
monitoring, etc.), construction of the monitoring
1. Optional: Commissioning a planning office
systems
2. Applying for a mining permit (exploration rights)
10. Drilling the first hole, including tests
3. Geophysical exploration (two-dimensional seismic
11. If appropriate, stimulation measures
imaging, etc.), if necessary
12. Decision on development potential
4. Identification of the eligible reservoir zones for
the development (geologic modelling)
VII. Development
1. Call for bids on second drilling, setting up
III. Feasibility study (Stage 1)
an operating plan
1. Detailed concept on items 1 to 4 of the preliminary
2. Drilling the second hole, including tests
study and stipulation of planned alternatives
3. If appropriate, stimulation measures
2. Determination of expected investment costs
4. Conducting a circulation test as a final basis
(drilling, subsurface facilities, construction
for data on the plant layout, as well as to stipulate
of heating or power plant)
the drilling of the production and injection well
3. Provisional drilling planning
5. Setting up the heating plant or the combined heat
4. Start of PR work / civic involvement
and power station (if necessary, in parallel with
the previous steps), if necessary, electricity generation
system as well
6. Applying to the mining authority for authorisation
(rights to the raw materials which have been found)
7. Applying for an extraction operating plan
8. Production
35
SMA Solar Technology AG
Morbach, Germany, attracts countless visitors from all over the world. Besides photovoltaic
systems with a combined output capacity of 1.1 MWp (projected annual yield of approx.
1 million kWh), the area also boasts 14 two-megawatt class wind turbines, one biogas plant
and a wood pellet production facility.
Photovoltaics
inverter. For higher capacities, PV cells are usually inter-

connected in modules.
Types of technologies
Currently, silicon is the primary material used in the

manufacture of PV cells as it is the second most common
element on earth and therefore cheap to produce.
However, other elements apart from silicon are used in
Photovoltaics PV, such as copper, gallium or cadmium. We generally

differentiate between thick film and thin film technology,
both of which will be explained in more detail below:
Thick-film technologies
Solar energy has an enormous potential that can be utilized Monocrystalline silicon cells have the highest degree of
by various forms of technology. One example of these efficiency of the various PV technologies (around 20 per-
technologies is photovoltaics (PV). Thanks to the global cent). Their production involves extracting high-purity
availability of solar energy, PV offers an attractive solution silicon rods (ingots) from a cast and cutting them into thin
for generating both grid-connected and off-grid electricity. slices (wafers), which are then processed into PV cells.
In recent years, the number of PV installations in the world
has grown at a breathtaking pace. Apart from Germany, Polycrystalline silicon cells currently have an efficiency of
the markets with the highest installed capacities are also around 16 percent. Unlike monocrystalline silicon, the sili-
found, for instance, in China, the USA, Italy and Japan. con is cast in blocks. When it hardens, it results in crystal
PV technology from Germany is being used all over the structures of different sizes on whose border defects occur.
world. German PV service providers stand out thanks to These defects reduce the degree of efficiency. Traditional
their many years of experience and high quality standards. silicon cells had a global market share of roughly 90 per-
Prices of PV modules have plunged recently. This also cent in 2013.
caused a noticeable decline in the production costs of
PV electricity. Costs in the PV sector are expected to
continue to fall in the coming years due to further
economies of scale.
1 5
Technologies and applications 3
How a PV cell works
PV cells consist of one or more semiconductor materials

and enable solar energy to be directly converted into elec-
trical energy. In order to elicit the photoelectric effect, the
semiconductor material must be “doped”. Chemical ele-
ments are added to produce two layers, a p-conductive
layer with a positive charge carrier surplus and an n-con-
ductive layer with a negative charge carrier surplus. Due
4
to this imbalance, an inner electrical field forms on the 2
barrier layer, which produces a charge separation on inci-
dence of light. The charge carriers released in this process
can be conducted through contact with metal and used as Diagram of a solar cell: 1) negative electrode 2) positive
electrode 3) n-silicon 4) p-silicon 5) barrier layer.
direct current (DC) by an electrical device or fed into the Source: www.solarpraxis.de / M.Römer.
network as alternating current (AC) via an interconnected
37
Photovoltaics
Aschoff Solar
SunEnergy Europe GmbH

Royal Cargo, Manila. Hybrid wind and photovoltaic power plant in Hamburg.
Examples of thin-film technologies two crystalline silicon technologies. However, important

The abbreviation CdTe stands for the combination of advantages of thin film cells based on amorphous silicon in
tellurium and cadmium, which are combined to produce contrast to crystalline silicon cells include its better perfor-
cadmium telluride (CdTe). The material is cheaper than mance in areas of diffuse lighting conditions and a production
silicon but also less efficient. As it contains the heavy metal that is cheap thanks to the low amount of material used. It
cadmium, the modules are certain to be taken back after is produced by depositing a layer with a thickness of less
de-installation. At present, a maximum degree of cell than 1 μm on glass or other substrate material.
efficiency of 20 percent is achieved. According to the
manufacturer specifications, the CdTe modules outperform Another thin-film technology is CIGS. The abbreviation in
crystalline solar cells in low light or high temperatures. this case stands for the elements copper, indium, gallium
and selenium, with an average degree of efficiency of 13 –
Amorphous silicon generally reaches a degree of efficiency 15 percent. This relatively new technology has a high
of 5 – 10 percent, which is poor in comparison to the potential for development, as the maximum degree of effi-
ciency achieved at present of 14.6 percent (in relation to
the entire module surface) in commercial production coupled
Opinion panel
with the comparatively low production costs means that
“We use our measurement the price level of the generated solar power is growing
systems to calculate the solar closer to fossil-fuel based electricity generation. On the one
radiation at sites where PV hand, the CIGS module has the advantage of a low static
farms are planned, as well as load thanks to its light cells, while it also has the ability to
environmental factors like absorb direct and indirect sunlight and is therefore suitable
pollution and soiling, which for use on flat roofs and in winter.
affect the performance of the
PV modules. The measure- Other types of PV cells
ment data are used to calcu-
late the expected energy Organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells consist of hydrocarbon
yield at the site or to check compounds which are applied – as with amorphous silicon
the cost-effectiveness of the solar farm. In dry countries, – to a substrate material. The advantage of these PV cells is
the pollution rating of the PV modules is vital for optimis- that their performance does not drop in the presence of
ing the performance and should be taken into account less sunlight and higher temperatures, as with inorganic
in the maintenance plan.” PV cells. The degree of efficiency of OPV cells, however, is
less than that of conventional/traditional PV cells (thin-
Vincent Camier, CEO, Ammonit Measurement GmbH
film and thick-film).
38
Photovoltaics
SET GmbH, Karl Korupp

Fraunhofer ISE
With new materials, production techniques and installation technologies, Léon, Nicaragua: The PV modules on the roof of this self-sufficient solar
organic photovoltaics (OPV) are expected to become more efficient and house provide electricity for a solar pump system, among other things.
more cost-effective. Solar-thermal collectors heat the process water.
In concentrator photovoltaics (CPV), systems of mirrors Mini-grids

and lenses are used to concentrate a high light intensity In the case of mini-grids, several PV systems feed into a
on a PV cell. This can achieve degrees of efficiency of up stand-alone power system, allowing them to supply several
to 43.6 percent at present. However, the system costs are houses or even whole towns with electricity. Hybrid systems
often higher than those of traditional PV installations are generally used in this case; that is, a combination of PV
owing to the need for tracking systems. CPV uses materials systems and other electricity generation plants, such as
similar to those in CIGS cells. wind turbines or diesel generators. However, a system for
storing energy is essential to an independent and stable
supply of PV electricity.
Applications
PV systems can be both grid-connected and off-grid, or Competence of the German industry
supply entire communities with electricity by means of
a stand-alone grid system. German companies in the PV industry are represented
throughout the world, in the area of production and at
Grid-connected PV systems all other levels of the value chain, and enjoy an excellent
Grid-connected PV systems consist of several PV modules, reputation thanks to their many years of experience,
an inverter that converts the generated direct current into exceptional customer service and high quality standards.
grid-compliant alternating current, a protective device and The export quota of the German PV industry was around
a meter. Grid-connected PV systems can be scaled to any 65 percent in 2014. At the end of 2014, more than 45,000
size and can cover a large power spectrum, from small full-time workers were employed.
1 kWp systems to solar parks with several hundred MWp.
German companies lead the world in the development and
Off-grid systems research of new PV technologies. Furthermore, German
Off-grid systems are especially suited to electricity supply research organisations are setting quality standards inter-
in off-grid areas or in regions in which there is a low level nationally; throughout the world, cutting-edge module
of security for electricity supply. Here, too, the advantage factories are equipped with German equipment and
is that the PV generator can be scaled to any size, whether machines and are being planned and built by German
it supplies a few watts for electrical devices in the home or companies. The German industry also offers sophisticated
several hundred kWp or even MWp for the electrification solutions in the areas of systemic integration of photovol-
of mini-grids. taics in electricity grids e.g. by providing reliable storage
solutions and management systems for efficient energy
self-consumption or feed-in.
39
Photovoltaics
PV modules, highly efficient inverters as well as energy

Opinion panel
management and integration technologies are the best
advertisements of the German PV industry. The systems
“German technology and
for producing silicon, wafers and cells also meet the highest
experience create a solid
levels of demand and are available worldwide. German
foundation for solar heating
manufacturers of software and measuring technologies,
and electricity generation for
module dealers, system integrators, project engineers and
projects worldwide. How-
project developers, fitters and investors, service providers
ever, for implementation to
for operation and maintenance and research organisations
be successful, these factors
all further enhance the PV value chain.
need to be combined with
standardisation and simpli
fication. Locally-sourced
Commercial use
materials and skills also need
to be adapted to the respective market conditions so
The actual costs of PV systems have fallen significantly in
that they can be applied there seamlessly and continue
recent years. Consequently, the production costs of PV
to work. For several years, Aschoff Solar has been
electricity have been increasingly reduced. In 2013, the
successfully taking the course of implementing projects
price of PV electricity in Germany was between € 0.08 and
in countries in which solar energy is still in its infancy
€ 0.13 per kWh, whilst in 2012 it was still between € 0.11
and it relies on internationally experienced and qualified
and € 0.17 per kWh. In this context, we speak of “grid
installation teams and close cooperation with industrial
parity” or “generation parity”. Grid parity is reached when
customers.”
the costs of electricity production reach the same or a
Carsten Aschoff, Founder, Aschoff Solar GmbH lower level than the average price of electricity. Generation
parity describes the point in time at which the cost per kilo-
watt-hour is at the same or a lower level than the average
“Whereas the costs of PV
actual cost in the energy mix. This causes private consump-
systems have steadily
tion of PV electricity at a higher electricity price to become
dropped in recent years, and
increasingly attractive for plant operators even without
the feed-in compensation
additional support.
too, the price of electricity
has risen everywhere. Our
Despite this stronger trend towards private consumption,
new PIKO storage system,
photovoltaics is supported by various support systems in
however, also makes it
a large number of countries. In recent years, the general
profitable to invest in your
regulations for photovoltaics worldwide have changed
own solar power system in
considerably. More and more countries have introduced
the future, because you recoup
different support mechanisms to provide economic incen-
the cost over the years in reduced electricity bills.”
tives for establishing a PV system and to guarantee the
Markus Vetter, Head of Marketing participating companies the highest possible level of
KOSTAL Solar Electric GmbH security of investment. Some of the support mechanisms
for PV are provided as examples below:
Minimum price model
The feed-in compensation is a popular model in a large

number of countries which are focusing on the installation
of grid-connected systems. In this case, the system operator
receives a feed-in compensation defined for a specific time
period for the electricity produced. For the design of these
minimum pricing models, many countries are using the
German EEG (Renewable Energy Sources Act) as their
40
Photovoltaics
Ammonit Measurement GmbH / IEM

Management
bonus and
control energy
Fixed feed-in Market premium

compensation
Electricity
exchange
EEG tariff Market premium model
Solar monitoring station for measuring direct, diffuse and global radiation Market premium in accordance with the EEG.
as well as meteorological values. Source: www.next-kraftwerke.de/wissen/direktvermarktung/marktpraemie
(as of 10/2014).
model. With the EEG, which came into force in 2000 and plant operators receive a markup (management premium)
which was last amended in 2014, the development of of 0.4 cents per kilowatt-hour on the market premium.
renewable energies has been accelerated due, among other
things, to fixed feed-in compensations. Thanks to the Quota model
security of investment that it guaranteed (fixed feed-in
compensations for 20 years and purchase guarantees), the With the quota model, the system operator receives green
generation of electricity from renewable energies more energy certificates for a certain amount of generated elec-
than doubled within a few years (share of renewable sources tricity (usually per MWh). These green energy certificates
of energy in gross electricity consumption: 2006 = 11.6 per- can then be sold on the energy market for a set price. An
cent, 2014 = 27.8 percent) and a new and innovative sector advantage of this model is that the development of PV can
was created. The reform of the EEG in 2014 moved the be regulated systematically; that is, the state can control
focus in Germany more strongly towards direct marketing the amount of energy supported through the number of
of the regenerative electricity produced and bidding, apart green energy certificates issued. This model is currently
from compensation alone. in use in Romania and Great Britain, for example. Donauer Solartechnik Vertriebs GmbH
Market premium model
The market premium model helps renewable energies to

be integrated into the electricity market. Since 2012, the
market premium model has also been included as an addi-
tional option in the German EEG, introducing suppliers of
renewable energies to the market. In accordance with this
model, an operator can place electricity on the market
directly or via a dealer on the stock exchange. In this case,
the market premium compensates for the financial differ-
ences between the average electricity price on the stock
exchange in one trading month (reference value) and the
FIT compensation. The amendment of the Renewable
Energy Sources Act in 2014 now makes direct marketing Praia do Forte, Brazil: A wooden pergola on the beach provides shade for
obligatory for operators of new solar installations with researchers and visitors at the “Projeto Tamar” research station and the
modules on its 80 m² of effectively used roof area have a total capacity of
100 kWp of installed capacity or more starting in 2016. For 8.6 kWp. The system not only stands up to wind and rain, but also to the
the additional effort and expense of direct marketing, PV salty sea air.
41
Photovoltaics
SunEnergy Europe GmbH
vis solis GmbH

The Port of Hamburg: roof-mounted solar power plant in association with Oak Ridge, Tennessee: A group of German companies set up seven adaptive
eco-power supplier Hamburg Energie, 125 kWp. tracking systems with a total capacity of 50 kWp on the grounds of the
1,200-hectare Oak Ridge Heritage Center. Here the scientific elite from all
over the world meet to do research in the fields of energy, metallurgy and
Other models environmental technology.
Additional support options include low-interest credits that basis, strong growth has been forecast for their PV
provided by financial or state institutions, or net metering, markets in the years ahead. Further development for PV
in which the electricity generated is consumed by the system systems is also expected in South East Asia, Latin America
operator directly and only the electricity that is not used is and in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.
fed into the grid. The electricity that is fed in is then charged
against the energy consumed from the grid by the system While solar roof installations are predominant in Europe,
operator. the development of large-scale solar power plants should be
expected in the regions lying between the 20 and 40 degree
latitude in the northern and southern hemispheres.
Outlook
Many countries in the world have only an inadequate
The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) electricity grid or none at all. In these regions, diesel
expects that the largest growth markets will shift from generators have hitherto been used for electricity generation.
Europe to other regions of the world. Above all, China and In the future, PV-diesel hybrids will provide an environ-
India have massive potential for new PV systems, and on mentally friendly alternative to this situation. Based on
estimates from Greenpeace, the global market share of off-
grid systems in developing countries in the years ahead is
Opinion panel
set to increase considerably, ensuring the off-grid supply of
electricity to around 2 billion people by 2030. The first
“Energy is not a problem
commercial PV-diesel hybrid system was put into operation
which needs to be solved, but
in South Africa at the end of 2012.
a source which is available
throughout the world. The
A prerequisite for positive market development in the
future lies with renewables.
future is a further reduction in costs, for example by
Photovoltaics is now becom-
increasing the degree of efficiency and reducing the
ing the backbone of the
amount of material used, as well as increased use in other
global energy supply: simple,
areas of application. Thanks to its many different applica-
low in price, scalable and
tions, organic photovoltaics (OPV), in particular, is likely
accessible.”
to continue to gain importance.
Dr. Hartwig Westphalen,
CEO, SunEnergy Europe GmbH
42
Photovoltaics
Protecting the PV system from external influences
PV systems are attractive investments and thus attract ■■The “time” factor plays an important part for “PV mod-
thieves. Further risks arise from extreme meteorological ule thieves”. Accordingly, anti-theft protection devices
events. However, system operators can appropriately are an important building block when setting up photo-
protect their PV system. voltaic systems, for they cause the perpetrators to
“work longer” and thus run a greater risk of being
Meteorological events discovered.
Meteorological events can interfere with the operation of
a PV system. For example, storm or hail can damage PV ■■Particular value should be placed on the attachments.
modules. The insurance industry offers operators of PV PV modules should not be capable of being removed
systems specially tailored solutions for potential damages. with commercially available tools.
For instance, operator’s liability insurance steps in when ■■Driving right up to a system should be prevented if
strong winds snap off PV modules and passers-by or possible by natural obstacles or mechanical barriers.
vehicles are damaged. In addition, all-risk coverage is This makes it harder to drive off with a PV system.
on offer. This covers damages from hailstorms or wind,
faulty operation or even acts of negligence. ■■It is advisable to install surveillance technology for the
PV system. Special, coordinated surveillance technolo-
Theft gies, such as video cameras and burglar alarms are
To effectively protect a PV system from theft, the following suitable. These measures should be seen as additions
factors must be taken into consideration when the system to the mechanical and organisational measures and not
is installed: as replacements.
Fotolia.com / Marina Lohrbach
Fotolia.com / Gekon
43
KBB Kollektorbau / BSI
Solar thermal plant in a hotel complex in Tunisia.

Solar thermal energy
The application area for solar thermal energy extends from

simply heating water to combi-systems, which can also
be used for room heating, right through to solar thermal
cooling and process heating systems. The first two types
are used primarily in residential buildings.
The areas of small-scale and large-scale systems in solar
Solar thermal energy thermal energy are still being developed in very different
ways. While the production of small-scale systems has
already been standardised, large-scale systems have still
only experienced a very low level of standardisation and are
usually planned and implemented on an individual basis.
Solar thermal energy is a tried-and-tested technology that The areas that still require the most research are solar
has been used for centuries. It can be used for heating water thermal cooling systems and process heating systems.
and rooms, for cooling or dehumidifying ambient air, for
process heating and for drying purposes; and crucially, it System types
reduces energy costs for heat production, saving on fossil
fuels for heating. A distinction is made between the following types of systems:
German solar thermal energy companies have many years Systems for heating tap water
of extensive experience in the production, planning and These systems are typically designed to heat all domestic
construction of solar thermal energy systems and their water throughout the summer period. In the winter months,
components. Germany’s solar thermal energy industry is the hot water is heated mainly by a heat generator (a boiler,
among the world leaders. usually operated by gas, oil, wood or a heat pump), which
is supported by the solar thermal energy system on sunny
days. This means that around 60 percent of the annual
heating requirements for heating water are provided by the
solar thermal energy system. The collector area required to
do so depends on the weather conditions in the country in
question.
Wolf GmbH
1
Wolf GmbH
2 3 4
Solar thermal energy systems for domestic water heating in a detached TPAO (Turkish Petroleum Company) Batman Area Management Heating
house: 1) collector 2) boiler 3) solar storage tank 4) solar station. Central, 2014.
45
Opinion panel
BMU / Oberhäuser
“Whereas almost 20 years
ago we still had to struggle to
convince many customers
and we would often enough
hear the question, “does it
really work, though?”, today,
the majority of the general
public understands how
solar thermal energy basi-
cally works.” The overheated
car sat in the sun in the
supermarket car park, or the hosepipe lying in the garden
that soon spurts out hot water are clear examples of the
free heating capacity of our daily sun.”
A. Appel, Dipl.-Ing. (FH), SOLAR-RIPP ®
Pilot system for parabolic trough collectors for solar process heating.
Combi-systems can be supplied either at a supply level (industrial hot

The solar collector area of combi-systems is larger. They water or steam network) or at process level. Process heat-
also help to heat the building in spring and autumn. The ing collectors can be divided into non-concentrating collec-
collector area required in this case also depends on the tors with minimal heat loss, semi-concentrating, non-
weather conditions in the country and consumer demand. tracking collectors and concentrating, tracking collectors.
The solar fraction of the total heating requirement is typi- Depending on the type of collector, the solar thermal
cally 20 – 30 percent of the building, depending on how energy can be used for heating both water and air that
well the building is insulated and the heat requirement can then be supplied to the processes.
level. However, there are also special solar houses that
cover over 50 percent and up to 100 percent of the total Collector types
heating requirements with solar heat.
Various types of solar collectors can be used:
Solar thermal energy cooling systems
Solar thermal energy power stations may also be used for Unglazed absorbers
cooling buildings (air conditioning) or industrial processes This is the simplest type of solar collector, consisting of a
(refrigeration). The cooling process is brought about through black plastic matting that is often used to heat water in
evaporation and condensation. A distinction is made swimming pools in order to reduce their operating costs.
between open and closed systems. Solid and liquid sorption They are cheaper than a fossil-fuel boiler and achieve
materials are used in open systems, while the adsorption temperatures of 30 – 40 °C.
refrigeration machine and absorption refrigeration machine
are part of closed systems. Closed systems, such as adsorp- Flat plate collectors
tion and absorption refrigeration machines and open cooling The metal solar absorber is fitted in a casing that reduces
and dehumidifying processes, such as sorption-supported the rate of heat loss thanks to thermal insulation and
air conditioning, are the most widely used systems. a glass pane. Flat plate collectors generally operate in
a temperature range of 60 – 90 °C.
Process heating systems
The energy yields from solar thermal process heating sys- Air heater solar collectors
tems can be significantly above those of standard systems This is a special kind of flat plate collector. Air is heated
in certain cases. The potential for solar thermal energy and normally used to heat buildings immediately, without
systems in the area of process heating is enormous: having to be stored in the interim. The heated air can also
Around 30 percent of industrial heating demand is within be used to dry agricultural products. The use of air-water
a temperature range below 100 °C. Solar thermal energy heat exchangers allows you to heat water, e.g. tap water.
46
Efficiency curve
100
80
Collector efficiency in %
Absorber
characteristic
60
Flat-plate collector
characteristic
40
Evacuated-tube
characteristic
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Temperature
difference in °C
Swimming pool Hot water Room heating Process heat
The better insulated the collector, the higher the temperature of the heat it produces. This figure shows the efficiency curves of various types
of collectors at 500 W/m² radiation and the resulting fields of application. Source: DLR.
Evacuated tube collectors Competence of the German industry

Even higher temperatures and degrees of efficiency are
achieved with evacuated tube collectors, in which the level Germany’s solar thermal energy industry is among the
of heat loss is significantly reduced thanks to high negative world leaders. One of the areas modern solar research has
pressure in the glass tubes. A collector is made up of several focused on in Germany is basic research. New materials
evacuated tubes. The rotatable mounting for the individual and cost reduction have been pushed ahead in collector
tubes enables the flat absorber plate in the glass tubes to manufacture. Thanks to increased automation and material
be turned to the optimum position for sunlight. For this savings, production costs for solar collectors were halved
reason, evacuated tube collectors can also be deployed between 1995 and 2010.
nearly horizontally on flat roofs. The individual tubes form
a closed system that transfers heat through a frost-proof
www.s-power.de/Enerworks Inc.
heat cycle to the domestic water supply.
Provision and storage
Local and district heating grids must be developed and

connected to sufficiently large storage tanks to be able
to make use of solar thermal energy on a larger scale.
Whereas a solar collector system requires a storage tank
with a capacity of around 350 litres for heating domestic
water in single-family dwellings, a storage tank of around
70 litres per collector area square metre is required for
combi-systems. Huge tank volumes are necessary if the
solar heat is to be used via a district heat grid, so as to enable
entire residential districts to be supplied with heating and
for the heat stored in the summer to be available at cooler
times of the year as well. For example, the heat can be Ontario, Canada: The largest Canadian system to date for solar heating
and cooling. German manufacturers produced the evacuated tubes and
stored in underground water-bearing seams (aquifers). collectors for the system. The project was awarded the Intersolar AWARD
2012 in the “Solar Projects in North America” category at Intersolar North
America in San Francisco. The “Oxford Gardens Solar Project” was chosen
by a jury of experts for its innovations and excellence in solar thermal tech-
nology, system design and efficiency.
47
Incentive schemes
Opinion panel
A turnaround in energy policy will only be realised in many
“In solar thermal energy, as countries if renewable energies take on a decisive role in
with all energy systems, the the heating market. Various legal targets and subsidies can
criterion for energy efficiency be used to support this objective.
is the consistent performance
of the system over decades. In Germany, for example, the Renewable Energy Heat Act
The consistency of the heat- (EEWärmeG) stipulates that the energy requirements for
ing output unit is crucial. As heating (including water heating) and cooling in new
this (heat absorber + heat buildings must be covered in part by renewable energies,
conduction unit) is securely such as solar thermal energy systems. Furthermore, the
and sustainably protected in state-owned investment bank KfW provides low-interest
the full vacuum, a solar ther- lending with repayment subsidies for systems with more
mal plant provides the highest degree of energy efficiency. than 40 m² of gross collector surface area. An additional
The full vacuum pipe technology meets these conditions incentive for installing solar thermal energy systems was
and offers safety and a lasting level of performance. created through the German market incentive programme
Solar thermal heating and cooling energy currently offer (MAP). The German government grants subsidies for solar
the biggest growth.” thermal systems in single- and two-family houses, apartment
blocks and commercial and public buildings. State support
CEO Günter Schaffron, s-power Entwicklungs- &
is intended to contribute to the promotion of technology
Vertriebs GmbH
that aims to utilise the massive potential of process heat,
while also increasing the economic viability of large-scale
In addition, German solar thermal energy companies have solar thermal energy systems.
many years of extensive experience in the production,
planning and construction of solar thermal energy systems Another type of promotion for solar thermal energy was
and their components. Customers profit from this in turn, introduced in Albania in May 2013 with the “RES Law.”
as solar thermal heating systems now provide an efficient This states that solar thermal energy systems and compo-
and cheap way to reduce energy costs. Pioneering firms in nents are to be exempt from tax, import duty and VAT.
the field of solar process heating are working in conjunction
with machine manufacturers. German researchers are
planning the further development of solar thermal energy Outlook
systems, while the development of solar thermal cooling
and process heating systems and the creation of new storage The importance of solar thermal energy has been under
technologies are being accelerated. estimated for a long time. With rising energy prices and
the development of innovative solar heating systems,
increased development is to be expected in the future.
Commercial use The use of solar thermal energy is becoming increasingly
relevant in multiple-family dwellings, hospitals, homes,
Putting a figure on the cost effectiveness of solar thermal hotels and industry.
systems is a more complex matter than it is for other
renewable energy plants. Cost effectiveness is calculated Solar-powered cooling systems represent a forward-
by comparing the system costs, yield and service life of the looking technology, especially in countries where there
system with the costs of producing conventional heating is a high demand for cooling, since they reduce electricity
and cooling. Yield and service life vary greatly depending consumption and the costs of air conditioning for the long
on the application area and the technical complexity of the term. The heat captured through solar collectors is used to
solar thermal energy system. The intensity of solar radiation provide energy for driving refrigeration machines. However,
is always a deciding factor. Applications designed simply as the technology for solar cooling is still relatively new,
for heating water and rooms are generally amortised faster installation costs are still higher than those for conventional
in countries with high prices for conventional forms of cooling systems. Reasons for the higher costs include
energy (primary energy source or electricity) than in coun- the complexity of the technology and the low degree of
tries with a lower price level in this area. industrialisation. Companies and research institutions are
48
working to further develop this technology to make it more

compact and economical, as well as more fit for service
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE

where smaller capacities are concerned.
The link between solar thermal energy and other heating

technologies is also becoming increasingly important.
Thanks to an intelligent energy management system, syn-
ergy effects can be created, enabling the heating or cooling
of buildings throughout the year, and will therefore play an
important role in increasing the proportion of heat gener-
ated from renewable energies in the future. Examples of
combinations of technology include systems connected to
shallow geothermal energy systems or using the ground to
store heat or cold. A collector on a rooftop/gable roof.
Providing process heat for industrial applications
In addition to solar cooling, there is also major worldwide In Eichstätt in Germany, a pilot system, one of roughly
potential in the provision of solar process heating for 100 worldwide, supplies a brewery with solar thermal
industry and in the commercial sector. The system tech- water. To increase the economic viability of the brewery,
nology required for high temperatures is still relatively the production processes were adjusted to suit the sun’s
expensive; by contrast, process heating at temperatures level of intensity. The system operates with evacuated
between 20 – 100 °C can be provided relatively quickly tube collectors on a collector surface of 900 m² and two
and developed at a comparatively low price. Tempera- 60 m² large solar panels.
tures of up to 250 °C should be achievable in future.
Krones AG
Hofmühl brewery in Eichstätt, Germany.
49
© schlaich bergermann partner – sbp sonne gmbh
Andasol 50 MW parabolic trough power plant with EuroTrough collectors.

Solar thermal power plants
t hermal energy can then be converted to electric power,

as it would be in a conventional power plant, using steam
or gas turbines; if needed, it can also be used in other
industrial processes, for example, water desalination,
cooling or – in the near future – for hydrogen production.
Owing to this principle, solar thermal power plants are

characterised by the fact that the heat generated can be
Solar thermal stored in a relatively easy and inexpensive way, and can
power plants thus be used to generate electricity in the evening and at

night. In this way, they can make a decisive contribution to
predictable, demand-based electricity generation in a future
electricity mix with a high proportion of renewable energy.
Power plants based on concentrated solar power (CSP) use A distinction is made between linear and point concentrating
the sun’s energy to generate electricity on an industrial systems; within these systems, there are four different
scale. Solar radiation is optically concentrated, thus gener- configurations:
ating very high temperatures for the power plant process.
This high-temperature heat can be stored, thus allowing Linear concentrator systems
electricity to be generated on demand – an important
advantage of this technology. Parabolic trough plants
The solar field of a parabolic trough plant contains numer-
Economic operation of solar thermal power plants relies ous parallel rows of collectors that comprise parabolic
on a high proportion of direct solar radiation; they are thus curved mirrors and concentrate sunlight onto an absorber
typically used in very sunny areas, such as Southern Europe, tube that runs in a focal line, thus producing temperatures
North Africa, and the southwest of the USA. In the scope of about 400 °C. The heat carrier here is circulating thermal
of today’s dynamic market development, many parabolic oil which absorbs the generated heat and creates steam at
trough plants and solar tower power plants are currently in an approximate temperature of 390 °C in a heat exchanger;
planning or construction, as well as some large-scale plants the steam is then used to drive a steam turbine and a
using Fresnel technology. In 2014 approx. 80 solar thermal generator is used to generate electricity as in conventional
power plants were on the grid around the world. This power plants. The principal share of solar thermal power
corresponds to a total capacity of approx. 4,400 MW. generation in Spain is currently supplied by numerous
Another 30 power plants with a total planned capacity parabolic trough plants each with a capacity of 50 MW,
of around 5,300 MW are currently in various stages of the majority of which have thermal storage for about seven
construction or actual project development. hours of operation without the sun.
As far as research and development of CSP technologies

are concerned, German companies are considered to
absorber tube
belong to the world’s top bracket.
reflector
The common basic principle of solar thermal power plants

is the use of concentrating parabolic mirror systems in
large-scale solar fields that concentrate solar radiation
onto a receiver. All systems must track the sun in order to
solar field piping
be able to concentrate the direct radiation. This radiation
is first converted in a special absorber system (receiver)
into thermal energy at temperatures in the range of about Operating principle of a parabolic trough collector.
Source: www.solarpraxis.de / M.Römer.
200 to over 1,000 °C (depending on the system). The
51
central receiver
secondary reflector
absorber tube light

heliostats
reflector
Operating principle of a Fresnel collector. Operating principle of a solar tower.

Source: www.solarpraxis.de / M.Römer. Source: www.solarpraxis.de / M.Römer.
Fresnel collectors trated on a central absorber at the top of the receiver.

Long, only slightly curved, flat mirrors concentrate the The significantly higher concentration of sunlight than in
solar radiation onto a fixed absorber tube, thus directly parabolic trough collectors, for example, also allows for
heating water to convert it to steam. In comparison with higher temperatures of more than 1,000 °C. This allows
the parabolic trough, the investment outlay in terms of the for greater efficiency, particularly when using gas turbines,
reflecting surface is lower due to the simpler basic concept; and is therefore likely to lead to lower electricity costs.
on the other hand, the comparative annual efficiency is
lower. Two Fresnel power plants with a total capacity The first commercial solar tower power plant in Europe,
of 31 MW have been put into operation in the Spanish the PS10, which has an installed capacity of 10 MW, was
province of Murcia. commissioned in 2007 in Seville, Spain; it was supple-
mented in 2009 with the PS20, a twin solar tower power
Point concentrating systems plant of double capacity (20 MW). In mid-2011, the
Gemasolar solar tower power plant was connected to the
Solar towers grid in the province of Seville. It has a capacity of 20 MW
In solar tower power plants, the solar radiation from and uses a thermal molten salt storage system that allows
hundreds of automatically positioned mirrors is concen- for up to 15 hours of storage at rated power, thus providing
electricity from solar energy around the clock during the
summer months. In October 2013, a solar tower plant with
a capacity of 420 MW went on the grid in the USA, and
DLR/Ernsting
another with 120 MW is about to be commissioned.
Dish / Stirling systems
In dish/Stirling systems, a paraboloid dish concentrates
the solar radiation onto the heat receiver of a downstream
Stirling engine, which then converts the thermal energy
via mechanical power or electricity. Efficiencies of over
30 percent are achieved. There are prototype systems at
the Plataforma Solar, for example, in Almeria, Spain. These
plants are particularly suitable as stand-alone systems.
They also offer the possibility of interconnecting several
individual systems to create a solar farm, thus meeting an
Solar power tower in Almería. electricity demand from ten kW to several MW.
52
Flabeg Holding GmbH

receiver/engine
reflector
Operating principle of a dish/Stirling system. Cologne, Germany: This new type of parabolic trough collector, “Ultimate
Source: www.solarpraxis.de / M.Römer. Trough”, was designed especially for large solar fields with an aperture area
of 50,000 to 2,500,000 m². This photo shows the prototype being measured.
Competence of the German industry Commercial use
Germany is the global leader in research into and develop- The economic viability of CSP depends very much on local
ment of this technology. As early as 1984 – 1991, German factors. Natural conditions, market conditions, and access
companies supplied the essential components – such as to project financing have a major impact on the success
dishes and flexible pipe connections – for parabolic trough of the technology; for example, the use of solar thermal
plants in California that are still in operation today, and power plants makes the most economic sense in countries
have produced more than 17,000 GWh of electricity since with particularly high solar radiation levels. They can also
then. Today, German manufacturers supply the core com- support the expansion of other renewable energy technolo-
ponents for solar fields (for example, precision mirrors and gies, since their storage capability enables them to provide
solar receivers) and power-station units as well as the electricity on demand and thus offset the fluctuations from
necessary measurement and control technology, and PV or wind turbines. They therefore play an important role
thus have a large share of the global market. Besides in a commercially optimised energy supply system with a
this, German companies and institutions have an large share of safe and clean renewable energies.
internationally acknowledged reputation as technology
consultants, certification bodies and experts. Due to relatively high electricity production costs, continued
marketing of solar thermal power plant technology still
German research institutes and engineering companies are relies on favourable general economic conditions or support
also involved in the construction and operation of various mechanisms such as feed-in compensation, subsidies,
pioneering projects either in terms of project management or loan guarantees for initial investments, and/or fixed
or through shareholdings. For example, a solar tower term purchase agreements for specific projects, as well as
power plant with an electrical output of 1.5 MW has been mandatory renewable energy quotas for utilities, where
operational in Jülich, Germany since the end of 2008 the long-term reliability of these conditions is essential.
(pictured above). It is operated as a prototype power plant
and research platform in the light of the long-standing
Novatec Solar GmbH
experience of German research institutes and companies.

Air is used as the heat carrier in a volumetric absorber. It
also uses a storage system to compensate for fluctuations in
the insolation input. The experience gained from building
and operating this prototype power plant will form the
basis for further optimisation in future projects.
Murcia, Spain: The 30 MW Puerto Errado 2 Fresnel power plant.
53
USA 3,390 MW 5 12
Europe 281 MW
264
1,650 1,630 Spain 2,304 MW China 535 MW 11 90
India 500 MW
434
110 295 205
Mena 1,330 MW
Mexico 14 MW 160
660 510
Thailand 5 MW
Australia 74 MW
9
110 Worldwide 10,113 MW 20
Chile 980 MW 100
45
870 200
4,298 4,429 400
South Africa 700 MW
1,386 Operational Under construction Development
Overview of solar thermal power plant projects worldwide (as of the end of 2014). Source: Solarpaces 2015.
Required value of a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) The exact measures vary from region to region. In Italy,
for a 150 MW, 4-hour storage, solar thermal electricity plant for example, a new support system was introduced at the
without any public financial aid and no escalation
beginning of 2013 to provide additional incentives for the
implementation of CSP projects. The feed-in tariff is now
22
calculated on the basis of the total collector area; moreover,
20 DNI 2,100 kWh/m2/y
utilities must also generate a fixed proportion of electricity
18 DNI 2,600 kWh/m2/y from renewable energy sources. In detail, this means that
PPA (€ct / kWh)
16 compensation is graded according to the percentage of

14 solar energy in the total power output. The more electricity
12 from solar energy, the higher the compensation. South
Africa also introduced feed-in compensation in 2013 which
10
is considerably higher for peak times in the evening (by
8
a factor of about three). South Africa is thus currently
6
regarded as being one of the most attractive markets in
2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022
the world for solar thermal power plants.
year
Costs of solar thermal electricity plants are decreasing rapidly. In some

countries they are already almost competitive while in Europe this will take
place before 2020. The chart shows the required value of a 25-year Power
Outlook
Purchase Agreement (PPA) for a 150 MW, 4-hour storage, solar thermal
electricity plant without any public financial aid and no escalation. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that the
The limits of the resulting price band correspond mainly to different
Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) values in kWh/m²/y. installed capacity will more than double by 2018, increasing
Source: Estela (2012): The Essential Role of Solar Thermal Electricity. from the current 4.4 GW to nearly 10 GW, owing to the
building of solar thermal power plants. This positive global
development in the expansion of solar thermal power
plants is attributable to projects being extended into many
countries and is accompanied by substantial cost reductions
in electricity production prices of newly initiated power
54
Top performance for decades: Quality assurance for solar thermal power plants
Lowering electricity production costs is one of the prime
DLR/Ernsting
goals of solar thermal power plant operators. High
product quality and a a plant life that stretches into the
decades are therefore becoming ever more important.
Quality assurance measuring methods can help plant
operators and manufacturers achieve this goal.
Solar thermal power plants consist of several components

which have to be produced and assembled very precisely
to achieve optimum performance and to continue running
efficiently for decades in a desert climate. The key element
is the solar field, whose mirrors have to be shaped and
adjusted with precision to reflect the solar radiation
onto the receiver in an optimum concentration. Small
differences from the optimum concentration can quickly
lead to serious technical and commercial losses.
In recent years, new methods and measuring instruments

have been developed which can be used, for instance, to At the DLR Institute of Solar Research QUARZ Centre in Cologne, the
quickly and precisely control the exact mirror adjustment performance of receivers and mirrors for solar power plants are tested. The
ElliRec test bench in the Test and Qualification Centre (QUARZ) simulates
in the construction phase of the solar field with the aid of sunlight using lamps and tests how well the absorber tubes can convert
optical measuring processes. By the same token, the effi- this light into heat.
ciency of the receivers (for example, the absorber tubes in
parabolic trough power plants) in converting solar radiation In recent years, German research institutes and companies
into high-temperature heat can now be measured quickly have played a leading role in these areas of work on an
and precisely. This development in methods is also international scale. One example is QUARZ, a qualifying
important for the introduction of industrial standards in centre based in Cologne-Porz, Germany, which was set up
this technology, which is still relatively young. Another with the help of funding provided in part by the Federal
current field of work is the development of measuring Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation,
methods to test the long-term wear resistance of compo- Building and Nuclear Safety, and which today offers a
nents in solar thermal power plants, which are often wide spectrum of quality assurance measuring methods
under adverse operational and environmental conditions. for many partners and clients from industry and science.
plant projects. Within the next five to ten years, solar Current developments in Europe have been significantly
thermal plants in favourable locations are likely to be capable affected by the economic crisis, which has caused drastic
of competing with electricity from medium-load power retroactive cutbacks in feed-in tariffs, especially in Spain,
plants, depending on the development of the total costs an important market for the solar thermal industry. At
of fossil fuels (purchasing and CO2 avoidance costs). the end of 2014, Spain boasted 2,300 MW, the highest
installed capacity in operation worldwide at present.
One of the most promising future markets, for example, The largest active market is currently found in the USA.
appears to be the Arabian Peninsula. There are plans to Further expansion is taking place in other regions and
build solar thermal power plants with a total capacity of countries, and by 2018 nearly 10 GW are likely to be in
some 25 GW in Saudi Arabia by 2040. Other large-scale operation around the world.
projects are currently being implemented in Abu Dhabi,
Dubai and Kuwait.
55
WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH
With an annual output of around 15 million standard cubic metres of biomethane,

the Könnern biogas park is one of the largest biomethane plants in the world.
biogas
The production of biogas
Input
Biogas can be produced from a wide range of organic
materials; typical input materials are:
■■Agricultural wastes and residues, including manure,
Biogas dung, leaves of fruits or fruits of low quality

■■Industrial residues or organic by-products
■■Municipal or household waste and residues
■■Energy crops.
Biogas occurs when organic material is digested by micro- Fermentation of the organic substance
organisms in the absence of oxygen. Biogas, often called The fermenting process of the organic substance in the
Anaerobic Digestion (AD), is a technology that is widely absence of air involves various anaerobic bacteria. Their
used the world over for energy generation. The scope of composition depends on the organic source materials and the
applications range from small home-digester technologies specific conditions of the process (temperature and pH level).
to commercial biogas plants and encompasses a huge The microbiological processes that occur during fermentation
range of organic input material. are a decisive factor in the productivity of biogas plants.
This chapter focuses on commercial-scale AD plants. Agricultural biogas plants can use liquid manure, agricultural
Biogas is usually burned in Combined Heat and Power residues, organic waste, residues from industrial production
Plants (CHP) to generate electric energy and heat. Other (process water, wastewater, process residues) and energy
opportunities include direct heating in boilers and the use crops as a fermentation substrate. Using liquid manure
of biogas as vehicle fuel. for energy in biogas plants reduces the climate-damaging
methane emissions that result from open liquid manure
Thanks to their high-quality products and services, as well tanks. To increase gas yields, more renewable sources such
as their many years of experience, German biogas compa- as maize, grasses, cereal crops and many other energy crops
nies are both market and technology leaders. such as sunflowers, Sudan grass, sugar beets, fodder beets,
sweet sorghum etc., are being used. Additionally, industrial
plants process wastewater in addition to waste from food
production, such as food residues and grease residues.
IBBK
Solarpraxis
Unlike natural gas, biogas can be generated close to the end-consumers. The production of biomethane from residual materials and waste avoids
Farmers can also sell biogas to open up a further source of income for competition with food production in the use of materials.
agricultural products.
57
biogas
AgriKomp
Awite Bioenergie GmbH
Configuration of a gas analysis system. Very little construction work is required for the mobile Güllewerk biogas
plant rated up to 120 kW.
Composition of biogas Biogas upgrading and feeding of biomethane into

The extracted biogas is a mix that consists primarily of the the natural gas grid
following components: Biogas can be upgraded to natural gas quality. By separating
methane from the other gaseous components (mainly
■■50 to 75 percent methane carbon dioxide), nearly any gas quality can be adjusted.
■■25 to 45 percent carbon dioxide The product, called biomethane, can be used at the location
■■Small amounts of water (2 to 7 percent) or fed into the natural gas grid. The main advantages are
■■Trace gases such as hydrogen sulphide, oxygen, nitrogen, that biomethane, like natural gas, can fulfil all utilization
ammonia and hydrogen. options. It can be used as vehicle fuel, transported to the
location where the consumer is (especially advantageous
In addition to biogas, a highly effective fertiliser (digested for CHP utilization) and stored in the gas grid (to react
sludge, often called digestate) is produced. This digestate to seasonal variations of energy consumption and gas
is a mix of water, mineral components and decomposed supply).
organic substances. In the area of agriculture, fertiliser can
be used to help cultivation, for example, when growing To upgrade biogas, several technologies are available:
fruit, crops or energy crops, to enable a large harvest. water scrubbing, amine (or other organic solutions)
scrubbing, pressure swing adsorption, membrane
Areas of use separation and other technologies (such as cryogenic
separation).
Generation of electricity and heat (CHP)
The stationary use of biogas in combined heat and power In the demand-driven supply of power, the natural gas
plants for generating power and heat achieves a very high grid can play a key role as a long-term storage facility for
degree of efficiency. The electricity produced can be fed renewable energy.
into the public grid or used as an independent power supply
for industrial and commercial areas, or it can be used to In Germany, there are currently about 160 feed-in plants in
provide power to rural settlements that are off the grid. The operation, with 15 projects planned or under construction.
waste heat can be used in heating, drying or the operation 119 biogas filling stations are in operation and a further
of refrigeration machines. It can also be utilised in down- 170 filling stations (approximately) offer a blend of bio
stream systems for additional power generation. methane and natural gas.
58
biogas
biogas know-how. German companies offer best-adapted
MAN Truck & Bus AG

technology for each location (and the best available bio-
mass) and biogas utilization (including biogas upgrading
to national gas quality).
German companies in the biogas industry cover the entire

value chain of biogas technology – from planning and
financing to the operation and maintenance of biogas
plants and the feed-in of biogas into the natural gas grid –
and have many years of experience in process biology and
its associated laboratory services. Sophisticated products
are also available in the fields of combined heat and power
plants, storage and tank systems and biogas analysis tech-
nology. German companies also play a pioneering role in
the growth market of biogas feed-in, and have positioned
More than 80 municipalities in Germany already rely on ecological, themselves with efficient technologies in the individual
cost-saving natural gas to fuel their buses.
stages of the biomethane value chain.
Use in the mobility sector The export quota of the German biogas industry amounted
To use biogas as vehicle fuel it must (or should) be to around 45 percent in 2013. Thus German production
upgraded to biomethane quality (at least if the motor is accounts for more than half of the total European energy
designed to use natural gas and not adapted to biogas). extracted from biogas. By the end of 2014, around 7,944 bio
Biomethane used as fuel offers: gas plants with a total installed capacity of around 3.7 GW
of electrical power were in operation in Germany. They
■■Climate-friendly fuel production generated around 27,000 GWh of electricity, supplying
■■Less agricultural fields needed compared to bioethanol around 6.8 million households. In May 2014, 151 biomethane
and biodiesel production plants were already feeding gas into the German grid.
■■Reduced dependency on fuel imports (enhanced security
of supply)
■■Emission reduction compared to diesel and petrol Commercial aspects
motors.
Biogas plants offer several potential sources for income.
In Germany, the proportion of biomethane in natural gas Usually the generated energy (electric power, heat or fuel)
used as fuel rose from 2 percent in 2010 to 20 percent in is sold or the producer’s own energy demand is covered
2013. Currently, about 100,000 CNG/CBG vehicles, which (which leads to lower fossil energy costs for e.g. a factory).
are potential biomethane customers, are in operation. In most cases, CHP operation offers the best economic
More than 80 municipalities in Germany already rely on value but, depending on the local circumstances, vehicle
ecological, cost-saving natural gas to fuel their buses. Pure fuel could be an attractive option.
biomethane can be found at approximately 170 natural gas
filling stations in Germany. Another source of income in cases of waste treatment plants
can be a gate fee for waste treatment. The possibility of
obtaining CO2 certificates should be looked into. Usually
Competence of the German industry not sellable but connected with economic value are fertiliser
production, odour (smell) reduction or emission reduction
Germany has decades of experience with commercial-scale (e.g. in case of open lagoon storage).
biogas plants. Currently, there are about 8,000 agricultural
biogas plants in operation. Germany is the most experienced The costs for biogas plants are the investment costs. Annual
country in biogas operation in the world, the biggest biogas costs are typically capital (often 30 – 60 percent of annual
producer and is home to the largest number of companies costs), operational costs and often costs for the biomass as
offering complete biogas plant solutions, components or input material (could be up to 40 percent of the annual costs).
59
biogas
Incentive schemes The feed-in tariff is defined by the biomass used and the
size of the plant. The EEG amendment of 2014 adopted
A strong driving force behind the expansion of biogas pro- separate regulations for the fermentation of biological waste
duction in the European Union is the EU goal of achieving and small agricultural liquid manure plants (power class
a 20 percent share of renewable energy in end energy 75 kW). In order to make electricity generation more flexible,
consumption, as well as the provisions of EU Directive remote-controlled plants receive a bonus for each kilowatt
2008/98/EC on the processing of waste. Additional political of installed capacity. The amount of new built plant capacity
motives for supporting biogas development include reducing each year is capped. Step by step, new plants with an installed
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (by reducing methane capacity of 100 kW or more will be required to sell electricity
emissions from the storage of organic material and by the through direct marketing as part of the market premium
substitution of fossil fuels), reducing dependency on fossil model. The premium model is intended to motivate gener-
fuel imports, creating jobs, especially in rural areas, sup- ators to operate their systems in a market-oriented manner.
porting the development of a new market (to stimulate This means that the plant operators are to increase feeding-
sales and taxes) and developing rural electrification. in of green power at times when demand, and, as a result,
prices on the exchange, are particularly high.
Based on these political targets, many countries have intro-
duced incentive schemes for the production of electricity Quota regulation
from biogas, such as feed-in tariffs for electricity from Alternatively, the expansion of renewable energy generation
biogas, green certificates, invitations to bid or subsidies. from biogas can also be stimulated by means of quotas
(e.g. for electricity, heat, biofuels). The quota regulation
Feed-in compensation obliges energy suppliers to provide proof that they have
In Germany, for example, the basic conditions created by supplied a fixed share of renewable energies to their end
the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) have proven to customers. This is proved by green certificates, which the
be a particularly effective growth engine for the young energy supplier must acquire. In Europe, the quota model
biogas industry. The EEG ensures that priority is given to is currently being used in Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Poland
electricity from renewable sources when it is fed into the and Romania for electricity. Sweden and Norway have
public grid and that the feed-in tariff for the electricity is been doing a joint trade in certificates since early 2012 –
guaranteed for 20 years. In this feed-in tariff model, security the first common market of this kind for renewable energies
for the investors is a crucial success factor. The EEG is not a in Europe. A quota for vehicle fuels is in force in some
subsidy because no government money is spent; the feed-in European countries.
tariff is financed by all consumers of electricity.
Opinion panel Outlook
“With over 800 biogas All over the world, biogas can make an important contribution
plants constructed world- to achieving a secure supply of low-priced energy and lead to
wide, each of our projects environmental benefits. Unused residual biomass materials
has the advantage of our and waste have great potential as input materials. At present,
experience. The same high large quantities of suitable raw and residual materials are
standards of quality apply to disposed of instead of being used. Energy crops also have
our international projects as interesting potential. The focused cultivation of certain
to our national construction plants for energy extraction (e.g. energy plants such as
projects. We also aim for this maize, grass, rye) can change entire landscapes. For this
in our after-sales service.
reason, there is a need for legal frameworks that steer this
Comprehensive services in
activity in the direction of sustainable development.
the Service, Repowering and Expansion sectors lay the
foundations for the safe and efficient operations of our
The possibility of processing biogas into natural-gas-quality
plants, well beyond the planned service life.”
biomethane is opening up new perspectives in the use of
Gernot Buchta, Head of Marketing and Product biogas in centralised and decentralised stationary plants
Management, agriKomp GmbH for generating electricity and heat, as well as in the mobility
60
biogas
sector. In this latter case, biomethane has a considerable In order to achieve higher electricity yields than a CHP
advantage in that adding any amount to natural gas is plant, German companies are also using biogas in fuel
classified as harmless and is thus not subject to limits, cells, which can turn the chemical energy of processed
unlike conventional biofuels. In this way, the natural gas biogas directly into electricity. The technology is not
grid can help bridge seasonal fluctuations in electricity yet widespread, but has the advantage of producing very
supply from solar and wind power plants. little noise while being capable of achieving an electrical
efficiency of up to 50 percent.
Environmental advantages of fermenting biogenic waste for energy extraction
Waste-to-energy describes the process of turning waste There are other environmental aspects: odour (smell)
into energy, usually by incineration. However, fermen emissions are reduced; seeds are deactivated (less work
tation of biogenic waste, for instance, can also produce on the fields needed); pathogen microorganisms are
valuable energy in the form of biogas. Using waste for reduced. In some countries, the main motive for biogas is
energy extraction offers several environmental advantages that local homes get a pure burning fuel (to avoid smoke
for market players: from burning wood). If biomass is processed in a biogas
■■Otherwise untapped residual materials are put to plant instead of leaving it on the fields (e.g. in the case
sensible use. of clover grass in organic farms without animals,) the
■■Environmental regulations (for example, the ban washing out of nitrate and air emissions of nitrous oxide
on ocean dumping) can be complied with. are reduced.
■■An upstream fermentation stage can enhance the Of course, biogas could also have possible negative environ-
utilisation of the input materials in an ecologically mental effects. If waste is treated, the material should be
efficient manner with existing composting plants in sanitised to avoid growing pathogen bacteria. The heavy
the form of a cascade system. metal content of the digestate should be controlled. If
■■The fermentation process can considerably improve the energy crops are used, the concurrency of food and fodder
environmental balance of certain plants by establishing production should be considered. A number of additional
technical solutions for reducing emissions (e.g. odour security standards (explosion protection, emission control,
and noise) – which are often already included in new and other) should be observed.
plants – as well as increasing energy recovery and
thermal output.
iStockphoto / zanskar
■■The environmental benefit is even greater with the
digested sludge used (for example, as fertiliser) after
fermentation.
Environmental impact of biogas production
Biogas operation affects the environment in several ways.
One of the main political motives for supporting biogas
is GHG emission reduction. If organic materials (e.g.
manure, organic effluents of industrial processes) are
stored, methane emissions usually occur (methane is
about 25 times more GHG-effective than carbon dioxide).
By processing the material in a biogas plant, these emis-
sions are avoided. The energy produced can substitute
fossil energy, meaning that additional GHG emissions are
reduced. The output of the plant (called digestate) can be
used as fertiliser. As a result, synthetic fertilisers can be
substituted (GHG reduction) and higher crop yields can
be achieved. In low input farming systems, the fertilising
effect of biogas can lead to higher crop yield and result in
new opportunities for crop production. In several cases,
new crop rotation options lead to higher biodiversity.
61
Viessmann Werke
The Viessmann Vitoflex 300 is a highly efficient wood-burning system that can be
operated with a flat moving grate, step grate, direct firing system or special-purpose
furnace according to customer requirements.
Solid Biomass
adjusted firing systems have been developed and contribute

to a combustion process free from harmful substances,
with particularly high efficiency factors of over 90 percent.
Solid biomass is also used to generate electricity in com-

bined heat and power (CHP) plants. Any waste heat that
arises during electricity generation is used, and supplied,
for example, as heat in local and district heat grids or made
available to industrial processes in the form of steam or
Solid biomass heat. It can also be used to produce cooling, if required, for
industrial purposes, for cold storage or for air conditioning
in buildings.
Solid biomass is also suitable for gasification as well as

Using energy from solid biomass has the longest tradition burning. Fixed beds, fluidised beds and entrained gasifiers
worldwide and continues to be the most commonly used of can be used depending on the characteristics of the com-
all renewable energy technologies. Biomass for cooking and bustion materials and the capacity of the plant. The resulting
heating is the most important energy source in many parts wood gas can then be used in combustion engines or gas
of the globe. Total primary energy demand from biomass turbines to produce electricity with high electricity efficiency.
in 2014 was approximately 16,250 TWh. Its contribution Total efficiency can be enhanced significantly through the
to global energy supply is equally significant compared use of waste heat using CHP.
with other renewable energies. In 2014, solid biomass
accounted for 80 percent of the world’s heat supply from
Stela Laxhuber
renewable energies and 75 percent of its electricity supply.
Solid biomass includes all dry and dried single items or

bulk goods made from plants and parts of plants. For
example, they may be stored in the form of wood pellets
or wood chips, making continuous heat and electricity
generation possible based on requirements.
In Germany, solid biomass has traditionally been used to

provide room heating and hot water, and with 83.7 TWh in
2014, makes up the greatest proportion of the heat supply
from renewable energy sources. When the Renewable
Energy Sources Act (EEG) first came into force in 2000,
electricity generation from biomass gained importance
in Germany. In 2014, around 48.8 TWh of electricity was
produced from biomass, which equates to around 9 percent
of Germany’s electricity supply. Stela low-temperature belt drier for drying wood chips.
Technologies and applications Competence of the German industry
When you burn solid biomass in modern heating systems, Thanks to continuous further development of German
the energy locked into the biomass is used very efficiently. engineering, the technology for the utilisation of solid bio-
The predominant source of energy is wood in the form of mass is characterised by high reliability and is ideal for
firewood, wood chips and pellets. Ovens and boilers fed customers’ tailored solutions. To this end, German compa-
manually, partly or fully automatically with electronically nies supply highly efficient and world-leading technologies
63
Solid Biomass
in all performance categories. For example, modern stoves
Viessmann Werke
are offered for heating single rooms or for preparing hot
water, combustion plants for supplying heat to single or
multiple family dwellings, and biomass boilers for supplying
heat efficiently to several properties and/or industrial
processes. Modern wood-burning stoves from German
manufacturers in particular boast efficient combustion
technology and low emissions. Intelligent and user-
friendly control and management technologies are among
the strengths of German providers, particularly in the area
of small-scale firing systems, for example, networking with
smartphones and developing convenient automatic feeding
systems. As a result, relatively high efficiency levels are
achieved and emissions are significantly reduced.
Highly efficient combined heat and power plants that run Wood pellet boilers may be used to generate heat in single or multiple-
family dwellings and in business premises. It is also possible to combine
on biomass and were developed in Germany lead the world them with solar panels for hot water production or for additional heating.
in this technology. German developers and providers offer
the latest plant in above 10 kW performance range. In the
last few years, German companies have helped to develop Incentive systems
wood gasification to market maturity and now have the
greatest experience in this highly efficient technology for Investment subsidies and cheap loans have proved effective
generating electricity from solid biomass, with an estimated in promoting new biomass heating systems in Germany
500 plants in operation worldwide. despite the higher procurement costs of the technology for
storing and supplying the fuel and the boiler. Setting a
minimum proportion for supplying energy from renewable
Commercial use energies in the building sector may also prove to be an
effective regulatory measure for promoting the use of
The use of wood as a source of energy continues to be most renewable energy. In Germany, for example, such a mini-
widespread in heavily wooded and agricultural regions. mum share has been set at national level since 2009 in the
This is because of the ready availability of wood as a Renewable Energy Heat Act (EEWärmeG). The enormous
resource, on the one hand, and the lack of cost-effective growth in the market for local energy generation from
heating supply concepts on the other. The increased solid biomass in Germany has been made possible by the
volumes of waste wood for generating electricity from Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which guarantees
biomass has also established itself in densely populated statutory payments for supplying electricity generated
areas. The transport and storage of solid biomass across from renewable energy sources in the long term.
large areas and in different periods has become economically
feasible as wood can be dried and compressed in the form With the tightening of CO2 certificate trading in the EU,
of pellets. There are very minor regional price differences the co-incineration of solid biomass in combined heat
in Germany, if any. power stations can present an economic option to avoid
the purchase of CO2 certificates. However, if you look
The interest in biomass heating has increased greatly in at the certificate prices from 2014 – less than 8 €/tCO2 –
many regions thanks to rising oil, gas and electricity prices. co-incineration is generally not that interesting financially.
The use of wood as an energy resource for the provision In several European states, such as Belgium, Holland and
of heating and hot water is a cost-effective alternative to the UK, co-incineration of biomass is promoted and
fossil-fuel applications. accounts for a significant proportion of the electricity gen-
erated from renewables.
Given the rising prices for fossil fuels, wood continues to

represent a very good alternative.
64
Solid Biomass
Outlook In Europe, the expansion of the use of solid biomass as a

source of energy has also been continuously advanced on a
Rising energy prices have led to an increasing number of political level, as it is an important milestone for achieving
private individuals, municipalities and companies consid- Europe’s energy policy objectives by 2020. The political
ering the use of biomass as an energy source. The rapid measures are supported by several European funding pro-
growth of the global biomass trade has made it possible for grammes for researching efficient and sustainable biomass
many European regions to further expand the use of bio- technologies and concepts.
mass as a source of energy in the future. As the prices for
wood as an energy source have risen in the past, and as the Research is also being carried out, in particular, on other
requirements for emissions have been tightered in many processes for the separate use of the individual elements of
regions, efficient combustion technology with low emissions biomass. For example lignin, a component of wood, can be
has continued to gain in importance in Europe. removed using the Lignoboost process.
Sustainability criteria for the provision and use of biomass
The increased use of solid biomass for energy generation With regard to the social aspects of using biomass to
is also increasing the importance of introducing and generate energy, no binding criteria have yet been
adhering to sustainability criteria. Since February 25, defined. The European Union, however, has regularly
2010, the European Union has had recommendations reported on the effects on food prices, land-use rights
for sustainability criteria concerning the use of solid or and adherence to international labour standards since
gaseous biomass for electricity generation, heating and 2012. To protect the interests of local populations in
refrigeration. The recommendations and directives of developing and newly industrialised countries, the
the European Commission [Directive 2009/28/EC; European Union suggests corrections if appropriate.
COM(2010)11] c ontain the following sustainability aspects:
Reducing greenhouse gases is of prime importance
■■Protection of ecosystems with great biological when woody biomass is used to produce electricity and
diversity and high carbon stocks heat. The report COM(2010)11, taking its orientation
■■Efficiency in energy conversion from the sustainability criteria in the Renewable Energy
■■Social aspects Directive of 2009 (EU Directive 2009/28/EC), suggests
■■Reduction of greenhouse gases. both a method for calculating greenhouse gas emissions
as well as criteria for reducing greenhouse gases.
The protection of ecosystems means, that on the one hand, According to the report, the greenhouse gas emitted in
biomass may not come from areas which evince a high the use of biomass for producing energy should be at
level of biological diversity, were designated as nature least 35 percent less than a fossil fuel reference value.
conservation areas or are old-growth forests. On the other In 2017, the reduction of greenhouse gases should rise
hand, deforestation and excessive removal of forestry to 50 percent and from 2018 even amount to 60 percent
residues as well as tree stumps should be prevented with for new systems. Unlike conventional sources of energy,
regard to woody biomass. There are voluntary certification the method of calculating greenhouse gas emissions
systems for checking sustainability in forestry. suggested by the EU prescribes an entire life cycle
analysis for using biomass to generate energy. This means
When biomass is used to produce electricity and heat, that all greenhouse gas emissions from cultivating,
the efficiency can potentially be increased (efficiency in harvesting and producing the biomass, the subsequent
energy conversion). That is why the European Commission processing of woody biomass into a source of energy
recommends that the Member States promote highly (for example, wood shavings into pellets) are taken into
efficient levels of conversion in particular such as com- consideration, as well as emissions arising from the
bined heat and power, when producing electricity and transport and distribution of woody biomass/energy
heat from biomass. sources.
65
tiefpics / photocase.com
In order to enable high proportions of renewable energy to be successfully integrated into

the power supply system, various areas of the conventional energy system must be rebuilt
and the generation, storage and distribution of electricity, as well as the demand side,
must be coordinated.
Storage and Grid Technology
of overhead lines in the relevant weather conditions (low

temperatures and wind). As a result of this technology, the
lines can even be operated above their nominal outputs
in normal conditions, which may reduce the demand for
further expansion of the grid.
In addition to expanding the grid with new power lines and

new grid technologies the workload can be better distrib-
Storage and uted across the existing transmission capacities in the
grid technology transmission network using reactive power management.

This can be achieved through modern power electronics
technologies such as flexible AC transmission systems
(FACTS).
The development of renewable energy generation in the At the distribution network level, controllable local net-
field of electricity helps to reduce both CO2 emissions and work transformer substations, voltage regulators and
our dependency on energy generation from imported natural targeted wide-area control of the supply of reactive power of
resources. For the integration of high levels of fluctuating decentralised energy plants can reduce the need for expanding
feed-in from photovoltaics and wind energy plants, sub- the grid while maintaining a high level of installed generative
stantial changes to the value-added chain in the areas of power (from photovoltaic systems, for example).
energy generation, transmission, distribution, storage and
consumption of electric power are required. Further development of the grid-compatible /
grid-interactive behaviour of decentralised energy plants
Compared to other countries, German companies have a
great deal of practical experience and innovative products. The increase in renewable energies creates a shift from
electricity supply at the highest voltage level being gener-
ated mostly by generators to a system that is increasingly
Technologies and applications fed through decentralised plants by means of inverters
at the level of the distribution networks. These plants can
A large number of storage and grid technologies can be used and must contribute to the security of supply and stable
for the optimised integration of renewable energies. A selec- grid operation. The following are some of the technological
tion of essential technologies is presented in the following: solutions relevant to this goal:
Improved efficiency of transport networks and grids Fault-Ride-Through capability keeps decentralised energy
plants from being immediately disconnected from the grid
In the area of transmission networks in Europe, the goal in the event of a grid fault (and thus possibly further desta-
is to significantly increase transmission capacities and bilising the grid), but rather remain available for a certain
connect wide-ranging areas to one another. This should time even in the event of a fault to support the system.
open up potential for both renewable energies and storage
capacities over wide areas. Harmonics impair the quality of the power in the grid and
can thus disrupt the operation of sensitive consumers.
In addition to classic 380 kV three-phase overhead power Installing filters at the grid connection point of the decen-
lines, alternative transmission technologies for boosting tralised energy plants can reduce harmonics and thus
the grid are available. For example, high-voltage direct improve the quality of the power supply.
current (HVDC) transmission is primarily suited to the
transmission of high levels of power over long distances A voltage regulator is necessary, particularly if decentralised
as well as to the connection of off-shore wind parks. Using energy plants are connected to grids which have already
high-temperature conductors, the transmission capacity on reached the limit of their capacity. Thus it represents a
existing lines can be increased. Overhead line temperature complement to expanding the grid. The voltage at the
monitoring enables much higher load capacities for the connection point can be influenced by a reactive power
operation of conductors by monitoring the temperature supply. This requires inverters which can help support the
67
IBC Solar AG
Battery banks of a 1.5 MWp PV diesel hybrid project in Senporna, Geesthacht, Germany: The Geesthacht pump storage station on the Elbe
alaysia. Battery storage: 6.8 MWh.
M River has been covering the electricity demand at times of peak load and
as an emergency reserve in the event of blackouts since 1958. Renewable
electric power from a 500 kW wind power plant and a 60 kW photovoltaic
power at the respective grid levels of the distribution system pump the river water up a slope into an artificial reservoir.
network by supplying controllable reactive power. In the

process, inverters can be designed so they can help to option for hourly and daily compensation that is available
support the network even when no active power is being on an industrial scale and is likely to remain so for the
supplied (for example, photovoltaic plants at night). foreseeable future. There is currently no technology that has
such a long service life and has been tested and distributed
If a large portion of power is no longer generated by con- to a comparable level that is as flexible to utilise and is able
ventional power plants but by decentralised energy plants to make a substantial contribution to the security of supply.
connected to the grid by inverters, then rapid changes in Volatile electricity generation can provide assured power
frequency must also be attenuated (which otherwise would in combination with pump storage stations and thus help
be attenuated by the inertia of the rotating masses in the reduce CO2, since the need for conventional power station
generators of a conventional power plant complex). To do reserves is sinking.
so, it is possible to use the power electronic system of the
inverter for grid feeding in a decentralised energy plant Compressed air and liquid air storage
to imitate the slowing function of an electromechanical Compressed air storage plants use excess energy, such as
synchronous generator. energy produced from volatile renewable energy sources,
to compress air, which is then stored in underground
Use of electricity storage and load management chambers. When electricity is required, it is produced in
a gas turbine using the compressed air. An alternative to
As the share of renewable energies in the electricity supply the underground storage of compressed air is to liquefy
increases, the flexibilities provided by storage capacities the air. Cryogenic liquefied air can be stored in tanks above
and load management take on greater importance. ground with high density at ambient pressure. To reconvert
Important tasks related to power storage include balancing it to electricity, the air is pressurised with a pump, vaporised
the fluctuations in power generation and demand, the pro- and depressurised in a gas turbine.
vision of ancillary services to replace conventional power
plants that are less frequently used, the assimilation of Electrochemical storage
excess power output from renewable energies and bridging Batteries are especially well suited to the storage of
low periods of regenerative power generation. Various electrical energy. These batteries consist of galvanic ele-
storage technologies can be distinguished (see the illustra- ments that generate voltage through a combination of two
tion “Classification of energy storage technologies”). different electrodes and an electrolyte in an electrochemical
process. Conventional battery systems have been used
Pump storage stations to supply energy for decades. As the share of fluctuating
With an efficiency of up to 80 percent, the pump storage renewable energy grows, two new fields of application for
station is currently the only economical energy storage electrochemical storage have been developed: home
68
Mechanical Electrical Electrochemical

storage storage storage Fluctuating electricity generation
from renewable energy sources
Hydrogen
Pump storage Superconducting H2
and other Electrolysis Methanation
station coils
gas systems
H2 H2 CH4
Compressed air Batteries / Natural gas grid Gas storage

Capacitors
storage station accumulators
Flywheel
Industrial use Mobility Electricity generation Heat supply
Classification of energy storage technologies: overview of the various Power to gas value-added chain. Source: dena (2013).
options for storing electrical energy. Source: www.powertogas.info/power-
to-gas/spartenuebergreifende-systemloesung/rolle-von-stromspeichern/.
s torage devices which store self-generated solar power electricity which cannot be directly integrated into the
and ensure a supply at need. Large batteries in the multi- electricity grid at times of especially high renewable
megawatt range are becoming increasingly important. generation. In comparison to other storage technologies,
They provide ancillary services such as frequency and the power-to-gas system solution offers a considerably
voltage maintenance or black-start capability within a few higher storage capacity and can, moreover, also be used
milliseconds and thereby ensure grid stability and security for seasonal energy storage.
of supply despite fluctuating feed-in from wind and solar
power sources. Especially suited electrochemical storage Load management
devices are lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, sodium-sulphur, With the growing share of renewable energies comes the
lithium ion or vanadium redox flow accumulators. How- need to utilise flexibilities in relation to demand in order
ever, there are substantial differences with regard to to balance fluctuations in the generation of energy. In the
energy density, efficiency, operating life and cost of the industrial sector, shiftable loads can be harnessed at a
system. The accumulators mentioned above achieve comparatively low cost by using existing measurement and
efficiencies between 57 percent (nickel-cadmium) and control solutions together with process and automation
98 percent (lithium-ion). technology in order to respond to the situation with regard
to supply on the electricity market. The same results can
Power to gas be achieved in private households by using smart meters
The idea of power to gas is to convert renewable electricity in combination with building automation technology, con-
into hydrogen or methane. The gas can be transported and trollable devices and time-of-use tariffs.
stored in the gas infrastructure and then used by the various
areas of application. At need, it is converted back into
electricity. By the same token, the hydrogen can be used Competence of the German industry
directly, for instance, in the mobility sector. Power to gas
is thus a cross-system solution for integrating renewable Compared to other countries, German companies have a
energies into the energy system. Power to gas can help high level of practical experience and necessary innovations
lower CO2 emissions in various consumer sectors by using in the area of storage and grid technology. With an installed
the gas renewably generated by the power-to-gas method to capacity of approx. 38 GW from photovoltaic systems and
replace the fossil fuels used as energy carriers in mobility, approx. 40 GW from wind energy plants in 2014, the share
industry, heat supply and electricity generation. Power to of renewable energies generating electricity in Germany
gas can also be used for electricity storage to help balance amounted to 27 percent in 2014. Despite this high degree
the increasing fluctuations from wind and solar energy in of integration of renewable energies, it was still possible to
electricity generation or to enable the long-term use of operate the power supply grid securely and reliably.
69
equipment requires the installation and operation of control

Opinion panel
and regulation technology, which increases the complexity
of operation. Thus in order to find an economically viable
“An intelligent energy man-
solution, both the investment and the operating costs for
agement system - micro-
all possible options must be assessed.
smart grid - provides inte-
grated networking and
In addition, it will be necessary to ensure that the most
management of electricity
efficient technology is also the most competitive through
generation, storage, e-mobility
changes in market design. This is the only way to success-
and other local electrical loads
fully avoid damage to the economy and continue to ensure
and is the basis for linking
a affordable supply of energy.
autonomous domestically-
generated electricity with the
power grid. We at asola con-
Outlook
sider ourselves consultants and service providers;
designing, configuring and installing micro-smart
The worldwide demand for storage and grid technology is
grids according to customer specifications.”
rising. For instance, the European Union has set itself the
Erich Klosterkamp, CEO, asola Technologies GmbH goal of achieving a Europe-wide market penetration of
80 percent for the use of smart metering by 2020. An
expansion of storage systems is part of the energy goals of
some US states, such as California, Hawaii and Montana.
Spheres of activity in which a large number of innovative China is planning, among other things, to increase its solar
storage and grid technologies are being used or tried out capacity threefold to 70 GW installed power by 2017.
in Germany are:
Storage and grid technologies are absolutely necessary
■■Increasing the efficiency of transport and distribution for a regenerative energy supply with a constant level
networks in order to collect electric power generated by of supply security. Essential drivers for the use of these
decentralised plants across the country and transport it technologies are:
from the points of generation to the load centres
■■Grid-compatible and grid-interactive behaviour of ■■An increasingly volatile electricity feed-in by way
decentralised energy plants for ensuring a stable and of inverters
secure grid operation ■■The shift of generation to the distribution network level
■■Development, use and optimisation of storage systems ■■The growing distance between generation and load.
to balance fluctuations in residual demand, to make
balancing control energy and other ancillary services These drivers are especially applicable to the development
available, to avoid blackouts and to maintain a safe- of energy supply in Germany. Current forecasts are assuming
guarded energy supply, as well as to absorb the occasional an expansion of installed power from photovoltaic systems
significant surpluses caused by renewable energies and in Germany of approx. 38 GW in 2014 to approx. 60 GW in
balance longer slack periods in the long term. 2034. The installed capacity of onshore wind power plants
is expected to reach approx. 72 GW in the same period.
This means an increase in the volatility of feed-in as well as
Commercial use a further shift of generation to the level of distribution net-
works. The growing distance between the place and the
An essential condition for enabling the use of grid technology different times of generation and the place of consumption
is the creation of binding grid connection regulations and is leading to increased demands being placed on the trans-
standards. The goal is to create a secure foundation for port capacities of the power grid.
investment decisions. This offers the basis for considering
when it is necessary to expand the grid in order to enable At the present time, the possibilities of using modern infor-
enhanced integration of renewable energies and when mation and communication technology for an intelligent
grid expansion can be complemented or even rendered control of the electricity grid are being tested in Germany
unnecessary by the use of intelligent equipment. Intelligent in a wide variety of research and model projects. In this
70
dynamic environment, German companies are continuing electricity supply system in the medium term. This would
to promote innovations in storage and grid technology and require efforts in the area of research and development to
to develop cost-efficient solutions for a supply of energy accomplish a technological leap towards adiabatic systems
from renewable sources. and thus a higher efficiency and thereby sufficient profit
ability. Larger storage capacities could perhaps be achieved
Initial commercial projects show that battery storage through feeding hydrogen or synthetic methane into the
devices can be used to quickly provide control energy for natural gas network (power-to-gas concept). Other regions
short periods of time. As technological developments occur, could also profit from the experience thus far gained in
compressed and liquefied air storage could complement these fields in Germany.
pump storage plants with a similar range of tasks in the
Advantages of cooperation beyond regional borders
By expanding power transmission capacities beyond
iStockphoto / Markus Beck
regional borders, a wide-ranging domestic market for
electricity can be created, entailing the following
advantages:
■■Reduction of electricity generation costs by coupling

the various market areas and dismantling technical
trade blockages
■■Trans-regional provision of ancillary services
■■Balancing effects of load reference and increasing
security of supply
■■Balancing effects of feeding photovoltaic and wind
energy into the grid between various geographical
regions
■■Connection of productive regions for renewable
energies
■■Development of storage capacities over a wide area.
For these reasons, the implementation of a unified inter-

nal energy market in Europe has been a central aspect of
energy policy in the European Union for years, and was
particularly advanced by the Directives for the Internal
Energy Market. Among other things, these involve further
opening the energy markets through the decartelisation
of vertically integrated utilities and non-discriminatory
grid access.
71
istockphoto.com / alexsl
OTHER Industry Sectors
German companies offer comprehensive solutions

in terms of environmental compatibility and safety.
Examples of this include:
■■The certification of biofuels

■■The validation, verification and certification of climate
protection projects in accordance with the Kyoto Proto-
col, e.g. “Joint Implementation” (JI) or “Clean Develop-
ment Mechanism” (CDM)
■■The validation, verification and certification of company
Other industry sectors and state projects and programmes in the area of verified
emission reductions (VER)
■■The certification of electricity generation from renewable
energies
Irrespective of the technology, a large number of German ■■The testing of plant sites and construction statics
market players provide other products and services that ■■The monitoring of power station operations.
supplement the value chain in the various renewable
energy sectors. German investors finance projects, facilitate shareholdings
or offer public placements via investment funds. In the
Project developers check the technological and economical area of “Carbon Investments” they handle the approval
feasibility of concepts and provide support in obtaining process for CDM and JI projects up to the sale of CDM
project partners and drafting authorisation documents. emissions certificates, which are known as “Certified
They coordinate and control the planning and construction Emission Reductions”, or CER, on the stock market.
of plants. Other service providers have specialised in anal
ysis and optimisation methods. They identify efficiency Educational institutions offer training and further education
potentials during the production, construction and opera- in the areas of energy technology based on renewable
tion of the plant and in the electricity supply processes. energies, efficiency and financing for projects, including
the planning and construction of off-grid plants. A diverse
Equally, certain manufacturers of process-related com range of seminars are on offer for a wide target group:
ponents cater for a range of technologies in the area of from technicians and engineers to investors, solicitors,
renewable energies. For example, plate heat exchangers developers and decision makers.
are used in solar power technology, in the area of near-sur-
face geothermal energy, and in combined heat and power Opinion panel
plants (CHP). German companies offer frequency converters
to efficiently design drive solutions that are characterised “Knowledge is one of the key
by high energy efficiency and reliability, coupled with long factors for the future growth
service life and high efficiency levels. Frequency converters of energy markets using a
are able to bring about significant savings potential com- clean and safe energy supply.
bined with energy technology and energy storage turnkey The challenge is for key
solutions. These system solutions can be found in the on- actors from politics, project
and off-grid area, although they also offer the possibility development, administration,
of switching between on- and off-grid mode. engineering companies,
finance and network opera-
tors to identify the technol-
ogy-specific expertise needed
at the right time so that market development can be
continuous. Through our educational services, we
provide the necessary expertise for the growth of
renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
Berthold Breid, CEO, Renewables Academy AG (RENAC)
73
COMPANIES
Dabarti CGI/Shutterstock.com
2 1
4
Companies
3
0
5
6 9
7
8
■ Wind energy
■ Hydropower
■ Geothermal energy
■ Photovoltaics
■ Solar thermal energy
■ Solar thermal power plants
■ Biogas
■ Solid biomass
■ Storage and grid technology
■ Other industry sectors
76
research and development
educational provider
project developer
project engineer
full-line supplier
postcode area
manufacturer
consultant
appraiser
operator
supplier
dealer
other
no. company technologies page
Plant engineering
01 Aschoff Solar GmbH ■■ 9 ■ 82
02 LAMBION Energy Solutions GmbH ■ 3 ■ 97
Full-line supplier
03 aap GmbH/Nature Technology Systems (nts) ■ 1 ■ 78
04 agriKomp GmbH ■ 9 ■ 79
05 Ammonit Measurement GmbH ■■■ 1 ■ 81
06 Andritz Hydro GmbH ■ 8 ■ 84
07 asola Technologies GmbH ■■ 9 ■ 85
08 BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH ■■■■■ 8 ■ 88
09 EnviTec Biogas AG ■ 4 ■ 95
10 Schmack Biogas GmbH ■ 9 ■ 105
11 Viessmann Photovoltaik GmbH ■ 3 ■ ■ ■ 111
12 Viessmann Wärmepumpen GmbH ■ 3 ■ 112
13 Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG ■ 3 ■ 113
14 Voith Hydro Holding GmbH ■ 8 ■ 114
15 WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH ■ 4 ■ 115
Manufacturer
16 AkoTec Produktionsgesellschaft mbH ■■ 1 ■ ■ 80
17 Awite Bioenergie GmbH ■ 8 ■ 86
18 Carbotech GmbH ■ 4 ■ 92
19 DIVE Turbinen GmbH & Co. KG ■ 6 ■ ■ 94
20 KOSTAL Solar Electric GmbH ■■ 7 ■ ■ 96
21 LIPP GmbH ■ 7 ■ 98
22 Nolting Holzfeuerungstechnik GmbH ■ 3 ■ 99
23 Ossberger GmbH + Co ■ 9 ■ ■ 100
Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Germany
24 4 ■ 101
GmbH & Co. KG, Hiross Zander Filtration Division ■
25 SOLAR-RIPP ® ■ 5 ■ 108
26 s-power Entwicklungs- und Vertriebs GmbH ■ 4 ■ ■ 109
27 Stela Laxhuber GmbH ■■ 8 ■ 110
Services
28 CUBE Engineering GmbH ■■■ 3 ■ ■ 93
29 ProfEC Ventus GmbH ■■ 2 ■ ■ 102
30 Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) ■■■■■■■ 1 ■ 103
31 sbp sonne gmbh ■■ 7 ■ ■ 104
32 Solar Promotion GmbH ■■■ 7 ■ 106
77
companies
aap GmbH / Nature Technology Systems (nts)

address Duisburger Str. 2 a · 10707 Berlin technology ■
contact Uwe Ahrens wind energy
telephone +49 (0) 30 - 55 27 44 35 application electricity | all electricity users
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | installation equipment,
web www.x-wind.de further education, wind turbines
value chain full-line supplier
Complete renewable energy concept
Electricity
Grid
District Heating
Block heat and

Power plant
Solar and X-Wind Technology Based
Biogas Hydrogen production Gas grid and storage Mobility
NTS Nature Technology Systems X-Wind Technology
aap to full-range supplier of X-wind systems for aap X-wind technology (pronounced: cross wind technology)
electricity generation
X-wind power plants, also referred to as high altitude wind
For the first time, it is possible to generate electric power energy systems are a new CO2-free source of energy which
to compete with fossil fuels. A wind power plant is built by generates electricity more cost-effectively than fossil fuels.
combining automatically controlled kites with electric
locomotives. Wind speed and frequency increases dis The other benefits
proportionately to altitude (increases by a power of three). ■■Investment, operating and maintenance costs are lower
aap builds X-wind systems designed to exploit these power- than with conventional energy generation system
ful and stable winds at heights of up to 500 m. These systems ■■Base load capability is largely guaranteed
deliver three times greater availability than conventional ■■Very good controllability (0 to 50 percent nominal
wind turbines. Longer periods of calm are bridged (<4 per- output in less than 60 seconds)
cent of the year). Here, the patented use of NTS X-wind ■■Quiet
technology comes into its own. We can run with a kite like ■■Low decommissioning costs
a child and in this way keep the kite in the air even when ■■Recyclable components which have been approved
there is not enough wind. for decades
■■Tourist attraction
■■Almost invisible in the landscape.
78
companies
agriKomp GmbH
address Energiepark 2 · 91732 Merkendorf technology ■
contact Thomas Franke biogas
telephone +49 (0) 9826 - 65 95 9-126 application electricity, heat | agriculture
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | plant components,
web www.agrikomp.com biogas plants, combined heat and power
value chain full-line supplier systems (CHP)
Custom plant in Millbrook (Canada) for manure, grass and waste materials.
As biogas technology is used: flexibly 2.5 MW and larger. The portfolio of agriKomp includes
combined heat and power plants (CHP), heating networks
agriKomp GmbH has been one of the few full-range suppliers and gas treatment from biogas to biomethane. Today the
of agriculturally designed biogas plants for over 15 years. It company actively works with its own subsidiaries and part-
focuses on the fermentation of liquid manure, solid dung ners in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Switzerland,
and renewable raw materials. agriKomp covers the entire Denmark, Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.
value chain from planning and design, constructing the Its activities worldwide also include projects in Canada,
facilities, producing the combined heat and power (CHP) China, Kenya, Romania and Bulgaria.
plants, through maintenance, technical and biological ser-
vices to repowering and expanding its own and external
plants. An extensive service network in Germany and
abroad encompasses the full range of services for biogas
plants.
agriKomp has now set up about 800 biogas plants world-

wide and today is among the leading companies in the
sector.
agriKomp now draws on the experience and competence of

400 employees active worldwide in enhancing plants and
components that have been developed in the network. This
guarantees the customer consistently high quality, long
service life and low-maintenance plants. As a full-range
supplier, agriKomp builds biogas plants from 75 kW to Custom plant in Ascea (Italy) for cattle dung.
79
companies
AkoTec Produktionsgesellschaft mbH

address Grundmühlenweg 3 · 16278 Angermünde technologies ■ ■
contact Katrin Müller solar thermal energy, solar thermal power plants
telephone +49 (0) 3331 - 3657 243 application heat | from industry to the end user
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer, project engineer | plant components,
web www.akotec.eu planning and engineering services, solar heating
value chain manufacturer technology
Solar heating & cooling, Prenzlau (Neue Mitte), Germany.
Your producer of full evacuated tube collectors made in Germany
AkoTec is a manufacturer of high-performance full evacu- By deciding on AkoTec full vacuum pipe collectors, you are
ated tube collectors. The tube collectors are manufactured not only opting for high-quality German products, but also
entirely in Germany. They offer one of the best possible for a comprehensive range of services. Whether you are a
performance, integrated overheating protection in the private property developer, architect or gas fitter, we can
collector and have passed Class 4 hail resistance tests. offer you our experienced advice. From the free first meeting
to the planning and handing over of the facilities, every-
The collectors are used for single-family houses and blocks thing is received from one source. This guarantees quicker
of flats, as well as for production facilities. An entire village decision-making and better communication. We are also
could even be supplied with heating by introducing the happy to help you to realise your energy design.
collectors as autonomous heating facilities.
The assembly is particularly straightforward because the

system is put together using plug-in connections. In addition,
the tubes can be rotated 360 degrees and can therefore be
optimised to point towards the sun.
The vacuum pipe collectors can be installed on a roof or

facade, be free-standing or placed on balcony railings.
They can also be placed on terrace canopies. In all cases,
the plants have consistently been generating high yields
for 25 years and have made a considerable contribution
to reducing heating costs. Industrial facade, Kekava, Latvia.
80
companies
Ammonit Measurement GmbH

address Wrangelstr. 100 · 10997 Berlin technologies ■ ■ ■
contact Vincent Camier wind energy, photovoltaics, solar thermal
telephone +49 (0) 30 - 600 31 88-0 power plants
e-mail [email protected] application electricity | industry
web www.ammonit.com profile full-line supplier | measurement and control
value chain full-line supplier systems, software
Measurement stations for wind and solar energy assessment.
Accurate measurement of wind and solar energy
Since 1989, Ammonit has been developing and producing able to offer all-in-one systems. Our systems are used by
meteorological measurement systems for resource assess- wind and solar professionals in over 100 countries. Thanks
ment as well as wind farm and solar power plant monitoring. to our global partner network we are also available for our
Our product range includes: customers locally.
■■Data loggers Ammonit provides measurement systems for:

■■Meteorological sensors
■■LiDAR and SoDAR devices ■■Wind resource assessment – and also for cold climate
■■Web platform for system monitoring zones with ultrasonic sensors and special heating systems
■■Communication and power supply systems. ■■Resource assessment for photovoltaic (PV), concentrated
solar power (CSP) and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV)
The Meteo 40 data logger is highly respected worldwide by power plants
professionals in the wind and solar industry. Via the web ■■Wind farm and solar power plant monitoring (compatible
platform AmmonitOR, measurement systems can be moni- with the common SCADA systems)
tored to check data for integrity and plausibility according to ■■Power curve measurement
the MEASNET guideline. Ammonit measurement systems ■■Measurement of environmental factors, e.g. pollution.
meet international quality standards and are well-known
on the market for their accuracy. Ammonit designs its measurement systems with regard
to regional and climatic requirements – always offering
Ammonit cooperates with well-known manufacturers of top quality equipment to ensure accurate IEC-compliant
measurement equipment such as Thies and is therefore measurements.
81
companies
Aschoff Solar GmbH

address Rosenau 13 · 91580 Petersaurach technologies ■ ■
contact Carsten Aschoff photovoltaics, solar thermal energy
telephone +49 (0) 9872 - 48 62 89-0 application electricity, heat | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | installation, planning and
web www.aschoff-solar.com engineering services, pv installations
value chain plant engineering
Aschoff Solar system solutions.
Solar power is simple, efficient and economically viable
Aschoff Solar GmbH Large scale solar thermal systems

for industrial applications
Aschoff Solar offers complete solar system solutions for
industrial customers on the international market. The Based on the standardised systems and collector areas,
activities are focused regionally in Asia and Africa aiming with modular design, Aschoff Solar carries out large-scale
for electricity-intensive and heat-intensive industries as solar thermal plants as turnkey solutions in warm-water-
a priority. Besides the classic solar applications of power intensive industries, such as tanneries and jeans factories
generation and heat supplies, solutions are planned and of up to several thousand square metres. The drive and
established for solar pump stations with an output of heat transfer units may optionally be integrated into indus-
> 30 kW. Aschoff Solar designs, delivers and installs the trial control cabinets or sea freight containers to be used as
systems through German installation teams, with the hot water tanks. The units are manufactured in Germany
support of local partners. In 2012, Aschoff Solar GmbH on a project by project basis, tested and delivered ready for
received the export award in the service category by the connection to the project and integrated there. Since 2014
Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs. projects in specific markets and applications have been
implemented in cooperataion with Bosch Thermotechnik
GmbH (Thermal Technology), Germany.
82
companies
Aschoff Solar thermal systems.
Aschoff Solar power systems.
Aschoff Solar pump systems.
Solar power systems for industrial customers Solar pump systems
Solar power systems, often designed as self-consumption Aschoff Solar offers all-in-one solutions for the water supply
plants, are an additional focus of the activities of Aschoff in applications without access to the public grid in desert
Solar. Also based on a high degree of standardisation and regions as pure solar or hybrid solutions. With a modular
modular development, grid-connected systems for self- design and based on standardised module units, the sys-
consumption are designed and implemented in the pro- tems offer the opportunity for autonomous irrigation
duction plants. On the basis of the high quality of German or water supply, installed by German specialists with
supporting structures and connection technologies, great support by local partners. In 2015, guidelines were drawn
importance will be attached to installation by German up on the development of solar pump systems, based on
specialists, with support from local partners, to ensure a demonstration project in the deserts of Egypt, in collabo-
German-standard quality for customers. Substations ration with GIZ and the Fraunhofer Institut, Germany.
and connection units are manufactured exclusively in These are available now at www.raseed-giz.com.
Germany, and tested, delivered and integrated as turnkey
projects.
83
companies
Andritz Hydro GmbH

address Escher-Wyss-Weg 1 · 88212 Ravensburg technology ■
contact Karin Kowaczek hydropower
telephone +49 (0) 751 - 29 51 18 01 application electricity | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | plant components, planning and
web www.andritz.com engineering services, hydroelectric power plants
Manufacturing of a Francis turbine runner at the Ravensburg plant.
Andritz Hydro supplies electromechanical equipment and t urbines to control technology, monitoring and related
services for hydroelectric power plants. With approximately training courses. Our services include repairs and reha
8,300 employees and a sales volume in 2014 valued at around bilitations. We have outstanding expertise in the field
2 billion euros, the company is one of the largest suppliers for of automation.
the hydraulic power generation market. Andritz Hydro
GmbH Ravensburg has been manufacturing components
for hydroelectric power plants up to a weight of 200 tonnes
for over 150 years, making it one the most important
manufacturing locations for hydraulic core components
in western Europe.
We offer design and construction of large Kaplan, bulb,

Francis and Pelton turbines, pump turbines for storage
power plants and shut-off valves with a capacity of up to
800 MW. From 1 to 30 MW, all turbine types are available
as compact versions. Our comprehensive range of services
extends from professional project planning, precision
engineering services and the manufacture of high-quality Andritz Hydro GmbH Ravensburg office building.
84
companies
asola Technologies GmbH

address Konrad-Zuse-Str. 25 · 99099 Erfurt technologies ■ ■
contact Erich Klosterkamp photovoltaics, storage and grid technology
telephone +49 (0) 361 - 24 14 25-0 application electricity, mobility | end users, industry, trade,
e-mail [email protected] agriculture, local government
web www.asola-tech.de profile full-line supplier | installation, planning and
value chain full-line supplier engineering services, pv installations
asola VITRUM® facade system.
Architecture and sustainable power generation
asola Technologies GmbH is a specialised developer and asola’s customers benefit from the company’s many years
manufacturer of customised products and unique engineer- of experience, extensive product range and its guiding
ing services for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). principle of combining renewable energy with individual
aesthetic design.
asola is backed by a network of certified specialist partners
in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland)
as well as throughout the world in Italy, the Middle East
(Saudi Arabia and the UAE), China, the USA and South
America (Columbia), which ensures fast and reliable cus-
tomer service.
asola offers a wide range of facade applications, overhead

glazing and railing systems as well as products for e-mobility,
such as battery systems and charging stations. However,
the portfolio is not restricted just to products only. asola
also supplies complete solutions from consultation, planning
and project management to customised module design,
matching and perfectly fitting accessories, fastening systems,
installation, commissioning and maintenance. Head office of asola Technologies, Erfurt.
85
companies
Awite Bioenergie GmbH

address Grünseiboldsdorfer Weg 5 · 85416 Langenbach technology ■
contact Dr.-Ing. Martin Grepmeier biogas
telephone +49 (0) 8761 - 7 21 62-0 application electricity, mobility, heat | end consumer
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer | measurement and control systems
web www.awite.com
value chain manufacturer
Tailor made solutions for satisfied customers.
Gas analysis, automation and desulphurisation from a single supplier
Awite is specialised in gas analysis systems, automation and Automation – full support
measuring technology in the area of biogas plants. Since
2001, Awite has been manufacturing according to individual Our AwiCONTROL automation solution gives you complete
customer requirements and to the highest standards of control of your system, including peripheral equipment.
quality at its own facility in Langenbach. In addition to the When developing our own automation solution in house,
development, manufacturing, installation and startup of our we also had a view to maximum operational reliability.
systems, we are also your partner for service and mainte-
nance. Awite offers gas analysis systems for biogas plants, For us, it goes without saying that we do not charge license
for monitoring the feeding in of biogas into the natural gas fees. In addition, we are committed to developing products on
grid, controlling fuel cell applications, for raw biogas dis- an open-source basis. This enables us to protect our custom-
tribution and also for handling other control tasks. ers from hidden costs. Of course, AwiCONTROL – like all our
other products – enables you to control your systems from
The range of products and services also includes the auto- a distance. Using a smart phone or tablet. At any time.
mation and visualisation of biogas plants, wastewater
treatment plants and lab-scale plants with the company’s Desulphurisation – never too much O2 in the system
own software developed specially in house.
The AwiDESULF microbiological desulphurisation system
Gas analysis – the right system for every process with fuzzy logic gives you full control over hydrogen sul-
phide. Sounds complicated? It’s actually rather simple:
AwiECO and AwiFLEX – our gas analysis systems – use simply switch on. The gas analysis system measures the
extensive process controls to ensure smooth workflows and oxygen content and the hydrogen sulphide concentration
above all the economic use of energy in your plants. Constantly. and uses this data to regulate the air supply.
The more accurate and continuous the measurements, Your benefits? Easy to use, low costs, highly reliable
the more they prove to be time and cost-saving factors. rocess and low substrate losses.
p
86
companies
Awite partners worldwide.
Service – you can rely on us Awite international
The assembly, startup and maintenance of our process Awite operates internationally. With Awite Bioenergia Srl
analysis systems is carried out by our trained staff on site in Bolzano and partners worldwide in Argentina, Bulgaria,
at your plant. We monitor the service intervals for you Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Lithuania, Mexico, Nether-
and on request can offer you full-service maintenance lands, Poland, Spain, Thailand and Turkey, we can provide
contracts. By planning trips and specifying dates, we can our high standard of quality and excellent service in these
keep costs transparent for you. countries and others.
Maintenance comprises a full check of your systems, Our passion for this industry means that we are always
including calibration with certified gases. To ensure looking ahead. For optimum processes, today and
perfect operation, on-site service is essential and frees tomorrow.
up your time for other important tasks.
Emergencies are not restricted to weekdays. So neither are

we. Whenever you need a fault in your gas analysis system
fixing quickly, just call us. At any time.
AwiFLEX gas analysis

system with integrated
AwiCool gas cooler. AwiDESULF 500 microbiological desulphurisation system.
87
companies
BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH

address Herzog-Heinrich-Str. 9 · 80336 München technologies ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
contact BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH wind energy, geothermal energy, photovoltaics,
telephone +49 (0) 89 - 38 39 32-0 biogas, storage and grid technology
e-mail [email protected] application electricity | commerce
web www.baywa-re.com profile full-line supplier | plant components, operations
value chain full-line supplier management, planning and engineering services
Solar farm Great Glemham, United Kingdom.
With some 860 employees worldwide, BayWa r.e. is one Project development and turnkey assembly
of the leading suppliers of the renewable energy sector.
BayWa r.e., completely owned by BayWa AG and head- BayWa r.e. has developed and set up wind, solar, bioenergy
quartered in Munich, acts as a holding company for a and geothermal facilities with an installed capacity of over
range of companies in the business segments of solar power, 1.8 GW. The partners of BayWa r.e. include municipalities,
wind power, bioenergy and geothermal power. Their many local developers, energy cooperatives and institutional cus-
years of experience in the renewable energy sector, coupled tomers. In addition to developing and carrying out its own
with a range of services covering all the main sectors, bene- projects, BayWa r.e. is also in charge of the turnkey instal-
fit customers and business partners alike. Their current lation of facilities for third parties. Its services include:
focus is on the core markets of Europe and USA.
■■Greenfield projects
A specialist in development, planning, financing, constructing, ■■Site analysis and assessment
running and maintaining renewable energy plants and on ■■Securing land
the renewable energies market, BayWa r.e. is a robust and ■■Planning of approval and implementation
experienced partner. In each new project, BayWa r.e. strives ■■Raw material acquisition for biogas plants
to harmonise technical and economic requirements and ■■Turnkey assembly as a general contractor
ensures that the plants meet the highest standards and ■■Project management
consistently achieve good yields. Services like the mainte- ■■Preliminary and interim financing
nance and repair of rotor blades are also within its scope. ■■Project structuring and financing
As one of the largest providers of PV systems in Europe, ■■Repowering.
BayWa r.e can also deliver everything needed for a PV
installation. Only high-quality products are used.
88
companies
Wind farm Campomaggiore, Italy.
Operational management Maintenance and plant optimization
As an owner and service provider for fund companies, As a manufacturer-independent and certified service pro-
banks, international investment companies and citizens’ vider, BayWa r.e. offers comprehensive service solutions for
energy cooperatives, BayWa r.e. performs the technical the optimisation and maintenance of wind turbines of all
and commercial management of wind, solar and bioenergy types and rated classes:
projects with a total installed output of roughly 1,500 MW.
The range of services includes: ■■Rotor blade assessment
■■Maintenance and repair of rotor blades in the wind farm
■■Multilingual control centre in three-shift operation and ■■Repairs/retrofits supported on site
on-call 24 hours a day ■■Storage and provision of exchange sheet records
■■Optimisation of the energy availability ■■Construction, production and repair of GFK components
■■Manufacturer-independent management system ■■Cleaning and sealing of rotor blades
■■Checks and immediate triggering of fault clearance ■■Tower cleaning and corrosion protection
■■Regular visual inspections with the internally developed ■■Rotor blade optimisation to improve plant performance
service app ■■Plant decommissioning and marketing
■■Maintenance in the medium and high-voltage range ■■Disposal and recycling of rotor blades and GFK building
■■BGV A3 tests components
■■Systems operations for biogas plants ■■Heavy transport and warehouse logistics.
■■Raw material management for biogas plants
■■Documentation and reporting on the entire project process
■■Commercial management, including contract and stake-
holder management, regular accounting, budget and
liquidity management and insurance management
■■Representation and implementation of the operators’
interests.
89
companies
BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH
Biogas plant Pliening, Germany. Geothermal power plant Dürrnhaar, Germany.
Planning and consultation Direct marketing and marketing of control energy
BayWa r.e. offers comprehensive technical consultation For producers of wind, solar, biomass and geothermal
and planning services for renewable energy projects. Its power, BayWa r.e. offers the marketing of electricity under
services include: the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG), in accordance
with the market premium model and the control energy
■■Due diligence checks market. BayWa r.e. is a qualified partner for connecting
■■Project management renewable energy plants to the electricity market and for
■■Yield and immission reports their optimisation in accordance with the energy industry:
■■LIDAR wind measurements
■■Feasibility studies ■■Marketing and structuring of renewable energy power on
■■Approval planning and management the electricity trading exchanges
■■Implementation planning and construction supervision. ■■Electricity trading via virtual power plants from wind
power, photovoltaic, biogas/biomethane/combined heat
PV trading and power (CHP) plants, hydropower and geothermal
plants
As one of the largest providers of PV systems in Europe, ■■Support and monitoring of the prequalification phase for
BayWa r.e. delivers everything necessary for a PV installation. participation on the control energy market
The range of services includes: ■■Structuring of the tendering process for plant capacity
among the transmission network operations for the con-
■■Selection of high-quality solar modules, inverters and trol energy supply
storage solutions from reputable manufacturers ■■Application of the control signals of the transmission
■■Novotegra and Creotecc assembly systems developed network operators via a virtual power plant for the
internally and TÜV certified requested pool capacities.
■■Comprehensive advice in plant planning and design and
feasibility studies Biomethane trading and sale of green energy
■■First-time assembly support on the building site
■■A variety of services for fitters and engineers As a leading biomethane trader with a trading volume of
■■Fitter partner programme with sales support over 1.4 TWh per year, BayWa r.e. is a key supplier of the
■■Broad range of seminars on specialist and industry- CHP, heating and fuel markets. BayWa r.e. also provides
specific topics private, commercial and industrial end customers through-
■■Storage with high availability and logistics out Germany with eco-power and eco-gas. Redistributors,
■■Short delivery times and punctual delivery directly to the domestically generated electricity and local electricity users
building site benefit from the expertise of BayWa r.e. in the energy sector
■■ Sales cooperation with public utilities, prefabricated housing through tailor-made electricity supply concepts. Its services
constructors and other sales partners for end customers. include:
90
companies
Wind farm Gunzenhausen, Germany.
■■Trade in biomethane to physical metering points and BayWa r.e offers everything from the one source, from its
virtual trading points in all German market areas (also feasibility analysis and financing right through to the sale
separate accounting) of unused energy, and is a reliable partner for investors,
■■Operations on the markets for CHP, heating and fuel industry and commerce for all aspects of the supply of
■■Process for changing suppliers, market communication domestically generated electricity.
and maintenance of a balancing group
■■Trading with balancing group flexibility and management ■■Ideas for optimising the self-consumption of wind and
of biomethane proof of origin in the dena biogas register solar plants
■■Certified eco-electricity and eco-gas product portfolio ■■Rental and leasing model for commercial and industrial
with sales across Germany. customers
■■Customised offers for private customers in cooperation
Solutions for self-consumption with public utilities
■■Development and provision of customised product and
The direct usage of the renewable energy sources of wind and sales solutions for domestically generated eco-electricity
solar power is not only the future of energy supplies, but also and eco-gas for redistributors and energy cooperatives
in many cases for bulk consumers and private households ■■Ideas for self-consumption with renewable energy
a cost-saving alternative to purchasing electricity from the electricity in area networks.
network. Electricity is supplied directly to where the energy
is needed, without long, expensive transmission networks Together with the experienced employees at BayWa r.e.,
being required or high transport losses sustained. In industry, many customers and business partners have already found
commerce and business, where there is high electricity the best solution for commercial success. With the backing
consumption during the day, photovoltaic is the main of BayWa AG, BayWa r.e. is also a reliable long-term
choice for achieving a significant reduction in energy costs. partner.
91
companies
Carbotech GmbH
address Natorpstr. 27 · 45139 Essen technology ■
contact Alfons Schulte-Schulze Berndt biogas
telephone +49 (0) 201 - 50 70 93 00 application mobility, heat | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer | gas purification systems
web www.carbotech.info
Sofielund biogas upgrading plant, 2,000 Nm³/h.
Pioneer in gas purification of industrial gas purification and gas upgrading processes
for nitrogen, hydrogen and synthetic gases. The pressure
Schmack Carbotech, a company in the Viessmann Group, swing adsorption process developed by Carbotech is reli
is a market leader in the area of biogas purification and has able and highly efficient.
more than 30 years’ experience in the development, engineer-
ing and manufacturing of turnkey gas upgrading plants.
The purification technology developed in-house is based
on the principle of pressure swing adsorption (PSA).
Experience gained from building more than 70 plants

throughout Europe, together with a continuous develop-
ment process, guarantee a highly efficient process with
very low operating costs.
Reliable and efficient technology
Schmack Carbotech specialises in biogas and landfill gas

upgrading for gas grid injection or use as CNG vehicle fuel.
In addition, Carbotech offers turnkey solutions in the area View inside a gas upgrading plant.
92
companies
CUBE Engineering GmbH

address Breitscheidstr. 6 · 34119 Kassel technologies ■ ■ ■
contact Andre Niederheide wind energy, photovoltaics, biogas
telephone +49 (0) 561 - 28 85 73 10 application electricity, heat | interdisciplinary
e-mail [email protected] profile consultant, appraiser | energy management,
web www.cube-engineering.com combined heat and power systems (CHP),
value chain services planning and engineering services
Experts for renewable energies.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
The CUBE spectrum offers comprehensive consultancy Wind Assessment

services in the sectors of WIND, SOLAR and SMART Wind reports, wind potential map, site identification,
POWER. The integration of fluctuating energy sources LiDAR , yield report, wind measurement campaign,
into the existing grid and its interaction make use of the CFD modeling, preliminary assessment.
synergy effects of these technologies. CUBE is interdisci
plinary and provides all services from one source always Solar Assessment
with a close eye on market occurrences and the technological Yield predictions, radiation maps, measurement campaigns,
pulse of the time. The company, accredited according to loss analyses.
DIN EN ISO / IEC Norm 17025:2005, has successfully
supported over 4,800 projects worldwide, with a total Environmental Assessment
installed capacity of over 16,300 MW. Noise allotment, shadow analyses, visualisation & animation,
visibility study, preservation order study, icefall study,
Management Consulting environmental impact assessment.
Country profiles, greenfield development, due diligence.
Electrical Networks
Planning & Project Management Electrical loss analysis, cable dimensioning, grid connection
Tender support, site identification, tech. project conditions.
management, approval planning, construction
supervision, feasibility study. Smart Energy
Integral dynamic energy analysis, energy self supply,
biogas/CHP plants, energy efficiency and management,
cogeneration.
93
companies
DIVE Turbinen GmbH & Co. KG

address Am Grundlosen Brunnen 2 · 63916 Amorbach technology ■
contact Christian Winkler hydropower
telephone +49 (0) 9373 - 974939 application electricity | energy producer
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | hydroelectric power plants
web www.dive-turbine.de
Pre-assembled DIVE-Turbines ready for delivery at the factory in Amorbach.
DIVE Turbinen GmbH & Co. KG concentrates on technical minimum. At the same time, it ensures high efficiency for the
solutions for small hydropower plants, especially on the entire power plant – from water to wire and maximum avail-
development and marketing of the DIVE-Turbine. All key ability of the equipment. With the DIVE-Turbine it is possible
components are developed and manufactured in the facility to realize a fish friendly hydro power plant, due to the fix blade
in Amorbach, about one hour south of Frankfurt am Main. runner design without gaps and the speed variable operation.
A large number of DIVE-Turbines are already in operation
around the world. Furthermore, DIVE Turbinen GmbH &
Co. KG can provide support for the financing and authori-
sation procedure. This includes customized planning and
development of hydropower plants, with documentation
on fluid hydraulics and ecological aspects.
The DIVE-Turbine is designed for low head (2 to 25 m), with

an electrical output from 50 to 2,000 kW per unit. The com-
pact unit, consisting of a turbine and generator, is operated
entirely submerged, with minimal noise and at variable speeds.
The unit has a unique wear and tear free sealing system,
which it is absolutely maintenance free. The high-efficiency
permanent magnet generator is connected with the turbine
runner directly and without a mechanical transmission
(gearbox). Due to the compact design of the unit and its
technical advantages, the costs and risks for constructing the
civil works of the entire power plant are reduced to an absolute Installation of a turbine generator unit with 900 kW.
94
companies
EnviTec Biogas AG
address Boschstr. 2 · 48369 Saerbeck technology ■
contact Katrin Selzer biogas
telephone +49 (0) 2574 - 88 88-0 application electricity, heat | agriculture,
e-mail [email protected] local government and industry
web www.envitec-biogas.com profile full-line supplier | installation equipment, biogas
value chain full-line supplier plants, planning and engineering services
The EnviThan gas upgrading plant in Oxfordshire (GB) produces 370 Sm³ biomethane per hour.
Renewable energy from biogas plants and biogas upgrading plants
EnviTec Biogas AG, founded in 2002 and headquartered in biogas plants. In 2011, with EnviTec Energy GmbH & Co. KG
Lohne, Lower Saxony, is active in 16 countries worldwide. and its subsidiary EnviTec Stromkontor GmbH & Co. KG,
EnviTec is one of the leading companies in the segment of it extended the scope of its business to direct marketing of
turnkey biogas plant construction and has already installed upgraded biomethane and the marketing of green electricity
worldwide over 370 MW and 600 modules, including agri- and balancing energy.
cultural biogas plants and waste-to-energy plants. In 2014,
EnviTec achieved a turnover of 163.4 million euros and an
EBIT of 6.3 million euros. The EnviTec group currently has
a total of 350 employees. Since July 2007, EnviTec Biogas
has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
EnviTec Biogas covers the complete value chain for the

production of biogas and biomethane. This includes the
planning and turnkey construction of biogas plants and
biomethane plants, as well as their commissioning. If
required, the company takes on the biological and technical
service and offers overall plant management as well as pro-
duction management. In addition, EnviTec operates its own 250 kW waste-to-energy biogas plant in Kishiwada/Osaka, Japan.
95
companies
KOSTAL Solar Electric GmbH

address Hanferstr. 6 · 79108 Freiburg i. Br. technologies ■ ■
contact Sales Team photovoltaics, storage and grid technology
telephone +49 (0) 761 - 477 44-100 application electricity | commerce
e-mail [email protected] profile dealer, manufacturer | solar home systems,
web www.kostal-solar-electric.com storage technologies, inverter
PIKO generation: more flexible, more communicative, more practical.
Smart connections for the energy of the future
KOSTAL Solar Electric was founded under the umbrella in 2015. It stands out for the three-step safety design.
of KOSTAL Industrie Elektrik in 2006 and is part of the A modular assembly system offers solutions for almost
KOSTAL group, an automotive supplier with operations any customer requirement.
worldwide. With its headquarters in Freiburg and sub
sidiaries in various international markets, KOSTAL Solar With the new generation of PIKO inverters, KOSTAL
Electric sells PIKO inverters for the international market. is taking a further stride into the future. The enhanced
product benefits of flexibility, communication and practi-
The philosophy of “smart connections”, with the competitive cality, as well as the varied design, provides a solution for
advantages of the KOSTAL family, partnership, quality- almost every PV plant.
offensive thinking and future-oriented programmes, is
reflected both in contact with partners and customers and
in the broad product portfolio. This includes the PIKO BA
System storage systems and single-phase and three-phase
inverters with power ratings of between 3 and 20 kW.
The innovative storage solutions of KOSTAL have numerous

features for optimising the usage and cost of energy. They
control whether electricity is used in the building, stored or
fed into the public network. In addition to the system with
lead gel batteries, there is the PIKO BA System Li with
lithium iron phosphate batteries, which won an ees AWARD PIKO BA System Li storage system – ees AWARD winner 2015.
96
companies
LAMBION Energy Solutions GmbH

address Auf der Walme 1 · 34454 Bad Arolsen technology ■
contact Ralf Baues solid biomass
telephone +49 (0) 5691 - 807 0 application electricity, heat | trade, industry, local government
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer | heating systems, power plants,
web www.lambion.de combined heat and power systems (CHP)
value chain plant engineering
Biomass thermal power plant by LAMBION Energy Solutions GmbH.
Solid fuel energy
For over 90 years, LAMBION Energy Solutions GmbH has design takes account of the chemical and physical proper-
been planning and building individual biomass power plants ties of biogenic waste products from apple cores to sugar
in the capacity range 1 to 50 MWth which use solid fuels cane. The special feature of this design is that biofuels
and biogenic waste. with different properties, whether dry or moist, coarse
or fine, can be incinerated and transformed into energy
LAMBION uses natural resources in a sustainable and simultaneously.
consistent way and sets standards in development and
construction by harnessing the latest solid fuel combustion We design, develop and manufacture efficient power plants
technologies. from 1 to 50 MWth for almost 100 different types of solid
biomass. Ideally, complete with all peripherals required.
Over 3,400 biomass power plants installed worldwide give
the company a vast wealth of experience in the economical LAMBION is committed to long service life and sustaina-
and environmentally responsible use of almost 100 types of bility in plant operation; LAMBION biomass plants are
solid fuel. economical in their own energy consumption, easy to
operate, require little maintenance and, with their robust
Biomass power plants and heating plants technology made in Germany, achieve a lifespan which
in the 1 to 50 MWth range often exceeds 30 years.
LAMBION biomass plants are energy producers tailored to

individual requirements. The special LAMBION furnace
97
companies
LIPP GmbH
address Industriestr. 27 · 73497 Tannhausen technology ■
contact Karin Lipp-Mayer biogas
telephone +49 (0) 7964 - 90 03 0 application electricity, heat | agriculture, local government
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer | installation equipment,
web www.lipp-system.de biogas plants, tank construction
600 kW agricultural biogas plant in Tannhausen.
Tanks and system solutions for biogas plants – flexible and efficient
LIPP GmbH is a family business that operates worldwide. planning and design of small and large plants. With the
The basis of their success is the unique LIPP Double-Fold unique LIPP Double Seam System, LIPP GmbH manufac-
System, in which steel bands are formed and permanently turers biogas digesters, post-digesters, hydrolysis/mixing
joined in an automated process. The patented VERINOX tanks and final storage tanks as well as a wide range of
stainless steel composite material manufactured in house other storage tanks for liquids, gases and bulk materials.
guarantees the highest quality and long service life of the
biogas digester at a low cost. In addition to its tank solutions, LIPP GmbH offers its cus-
tomers and partners mainly planning services and know-how
LIPP offers two types of digesters in the design of biogas plants. The company’s decades of
1. L
IPP KomBio Reactor, with integrated gas accumulator experience in the biogas sector and in tank construction form
up to 2,500 m³ a sound basis for this and represent a considerable advantage.
2. L IPP universal digester with stainless steel diaphragm
roof or foil roof for 5,000 m³ and over.
Summary of benefits offered by LIPP

■■Fast and automated on-site production
■■Very little installation space required
■■Consistently high quality worldwide
■■Flexibility in terms of diameter, height and cover
■■Long service life
■■Low investment costs.
This means that LIPP is always the right choice, both as

a specialist in digesters and tanks and as a partner for the KomBio digester and universal post-digester.
98
companies
Nolting Holzfeuerungstechnik GmbH

address Aquafinstr. 15 · 32760 Detmold technology ■
contact Joachim Eggers solid biomass
telephone +49 (0) 5231 - 95 55-0 application heat | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer | heating systems
web www.nolting-online.de
Site example: automatic feed grate firing with fine particulate air filter.
Combustion plants for biomass and pellets
Nolting Holzfeuerungstechnik GmbH has offered high- The product range covers manually-loaded log-burning
quality non-polluting biomass combustion plants for more boilers, automatic underfeed and feed grate firing, fine
than 65 years, in the capacity range from 50 to 3,000 kW. particulate air filters, container solutions, special combus-
Our high-quality products are manufactured and supervised, tion systems, silo discharges and conveyor technology, plus
from development to manufacture, by 55 employees at the all accessories and additional components. The experienced
company’s own plant in Detmold. From fuel analysis and staff support you during the planning phase to create a
profitability forecasting to acceptance and maintenance, suitable solution for the best possible overall design.
we support you with expertise, decades of experience and Customised manufacturing makes it possible to design
our own factory customer service. furnaces and their equipment according to individual
requirements. Nolting can respond to problematic condi-
Almost 40 percent of our production goes to export, and tions, such as difficult fuels or small available boiler rooms,
we supply a wide range of sectors including woodworking, and find individual solutions.
wood processing, municipal buildings, crafts and industry,
agriculture and horticulture.
99
companies
Ossberger GmbH + Co
address Otto-Rieder-Str. 7 · 91781 Weissenburg technology ■
contact Holger Franke hydropower
telephone +49 (0) 9141 - 977-0 application electricity | different
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer, project developer | measurement
web www.ossberger.de and control systems, hydroelectric power plants,
value chain manufacturer trash rack cleaning systems
Pre-assembled 3.4 MW plant for Turkey in front of one of the Ossberger production halls.
Hydropower experts for more than 100 years
Ossberger GmbH + Co from Weissenburg in Bavaria grounds for tailor-made systems in specific projects. With
owes its extensive experience in the three areas of small only three moving parts, they follow the Ossberger principle
hydropower plants (cross flow turbines, trash rack of simplicity and adapt themselves extremely well to a fluc-
cleaning and automation), parts cleaning (“Coli-Cleaner”) tuating water supply. This makes them ideal, in particular,
and plastics machinery (“Pressblower”) to its more than as individual machines in run-of-river power plants. They
100 years of company history. operate from practically zero load to full opening, and
have already proven their worth thousands of times in the
The development of the OSSBERGER free jet turbine by toughest conditions.
the firm’s founder Fritz Ossberger in 1922 laid the foundations
for the company’s successful performance. More than 10,000 The Ossberger hydro
original OSSBERGER® cross-flow turbines have been range also offers automa-
produced and installed in approximately 100 countries, with tion solutions and sta-
outputs of between a few kilowatts up to currently 3.5 MW. tionary and mobile trash
rack cleaning systems
Ossberger Hydro is represented in about 50 countries that are essential for
worldwide. increasing the profit
ability of both smaller
Original OSSBERGER® cross-flow turbines from standard- and larger hydroelectric Exploded drawing of the original
ised individual components are configured on economic power plants. OSSBERGER® cross-flow turbine.
100
companies
Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Germany

GmbH & Co. KG Hiross Zander Filtration Division
address Im Teelbruch 118 · 45219 Essen technology ■
contact Steven Scott biogas
telephone +49 (0) 191 - 402-9688 application electricity | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer | plant components, installation
web www.parker.com/hzfd equipment, refrigeration technology
Regenerative, zero-loss adsorption system for Biogas dehumidification system with cooler, Parker PpTek regenerative siloxane removal
drying biomethane. emister and water chiller.
d system.
Parker are globally recognised as the world leader in biogas ■■Shell & tube heat exchangers
purification, building on more than 40 years of experience (gas coolers and re-heaters)
in the field of compressed air and gas treatment to offer the ■■Water separators (cyclonic & demister type)
industry’s most comprehensive range of biogas treatment ■■High-efficiency regenerative adsorption dryers
solutions. (for biogas and biomethane, PSA and TSA types)
■■Oil vapour adsorbers (for removal of hydrocarbons)
Typical applications include filtration, dehumidification, ■■Bacteria & micro-organism removal filters.
desulphurisation and the removal of siloxanes and V.O.C’s
from biogas, sewage gas and landfill gas with all products
backed by the support of Parker’s global sales company
network.
The Parker BioEnergy range includes the following products:
■■Fully-automatic, regenerative PpTek siloxane removal

systems (for siloxane and VOC removal) with media life Aftercooler Hypercool BioEnergy.
guaranteed for 5 years
■■Dry scrubber H2S removal systems (with more than 10
times the efficiency of activated carbon based systems)
■■Packaged biogas dehumidification systems (skid-
mounted, including all interconnecting pipework)
■■High-efficiency filters for raw biogas & biomethane
(particulate and coalescing types) Hyperfilter BioEnergy FFB has been specifically
designed to provide maximum protection for
■■Water chillers (with special treatment for biogas plant downstream equipment and pipework and to
installation) reduce maintenance costs and plant downtime.
101
companies
ProfEC Ventus GmbH

address Im Ofenerfeld 23 · 26127 Oldenburg technologies ■ ■
contact Andreas Jansen / Mathias Hoelzer wind energy | storage and grid technology
telephone +49 (0) 4421 - 20 90 89-0 application electricity | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile consultant, appraiser | planning and engineering
web www.profec-ventus.com services, wind turbines, accredited MEASNET/IEC
value chain services calibration of anemometers & wind vanes, wind
measurements & yield assessments
Power curve measurements and power performance verifications. Accredited installation services and bankable documentation for measure-
ment mast up to 155 m.
Closer, committed, competitive
ProfEC Ventus is a DAkkS-ilac accredited expert and consult- Papua New Guinea, North Korea or Honduras. We see wind
ing firm, specialising in wind measurements (with masts of projects through right from the initial idea and optimal site
up to 155 m and LIDAR), measurement and verification of selection to the calibration of measurement systems, resource
power curves, site assessments, turbulence assessments, long- assessments, power performance measurements, through
term energy yield and loss assessments (FGW TR6 Rev. 9), to wind plant farm optimisation, performance enhancement
wind maps (CFD, mesoscale and microscale), anemometer and and problem analyses of existing wind farms.
wind vane calibrations compliant with MEASNET and IEC, etc.
We provide bankable, accredited services and are happy to
Our premise is to increase planning certainty, to identify and offer advice worldwide on the role of owners or lenders/banks
minimise risks and to define residual uncertainties and possi- engineer, as well as independent expert or consultant.
ble losses. We offer a range of services to assess information
and to use it as reliable support of essential project-specific
investment and planning decisions. Our procedures and
processes are in line with internationally recognized industry
standards and represent best practices based on latest findings.
Our accreditations as testing and as calibration laboratory, in
accordance with ISO 17025, proves that banks and investors
worldwide can trust the high standards of our work.
Through our top-quality services, we manage requests across

the globe and can meet the expectations of project developers,
governments and public bodies, banks/investors and wind
turbine manufacturers. Our expertise has been applied in
over 30 countries, including in leading wind energy industries Wind vane and anemometer calibrations in accordance with MEASNET
and markets as well as in emerging or difficult markets like and IEC standards.
102
companies
Renewables Academy AG (RENAC)

address Schönhauser Allee 10/11 · 10119 Berlin technologies ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
contact Manolita Wiehl wind energy, hydropower, photovoltaics,
telephone +49 (0) 30 - 52 68 958-70 solar thermal energy, biogas, solid biomass,
e-mail [email protected] storage and grid technology
web www.renac.de application electricity, heat | individuals, companies, institutions,
value chain services organisations, educational establishments, etc.
profile educational provider | further education
PV training in the RENAC training centre in Berlin.
Renewables Academy AG (RENAC), headquartered in RENAC offers customised training sessions with topics
Berlin, is one of the leading international providers of across the entire value chains: from the establishment
education and further training, as well as of a number of political frameworks on engineering, installation and
of educational services concerning renewable energy maintenance, to the economic efficiency and financing
and energy efficiency. of power engineering plants.
Specialising in the sector of sustainable energy generation, In addition to the training sessions, RENAC helps other
RENAC can impart knowledge on a broad range of institutions and companies to set up and run their own
technologies, including photovoltaics, solar thermics, training sessions on renewable energy, whether for short
solar thermal power plants, wind energy, bioenergy, seminars, professional training or academia.
small hydropower plants, hybrid systems, electricity
grids and energy efficiency. Its services include the assessment of training needs, the
development of curricula and training material, the qualifi-
Since it was founded in 2008, RENAC has trained over cation of training staff in train-the-trainer seminars and the
5,800 participants from 145 countries worldwide. establishment of turnkey training centres and consultancy
services on the topic of market development.
103
companies
sbp sonne gmbh

address Schwabstr. 43 · 70197 Stuttgart technologies ■ ■
contact Melanie Bagi solar thermal energy, solar thermal power plants
telephone +49 (0) 711 - 64 87 10 application electricity | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile consultant, project developer | solar thermal power
web www.sbp.de plants
value chain services
© schlaich bergermann partner – sbp sonne gmbh

Andasol 50 MW parabolic trough power plant with EuroTrough collectors (aerial photo).
For over 30 years schlaich bergermann partner – sbp sonne ■■sbp sonne designs and develops technologies and acts
has been developing components and systems for solar as license provider for collectors and solar fields of
thermal power plants. Today we are a leading international parabolic troughs (EuroTrough, UltimateTrough®)
engineering firm in this sector, designing parabolic trough and dish systems (EuroDish and SBPS 25 kW).
collectors, heliostats and towers for central receiver power ■■As part of the Stellio Consortium, we offer a turnkey
stations, dish systems, concentrating photovoltaic systems solution for heliostat fields, including the complete
(CPV) and photovoltaic systems (PV). solar field design and warranties.
■■sbp sonne offers the complete design and planning
In collaboration with our partners, we have successfully (except CPU) of dish systems (Air Receivers, CPV,
designed and implemented large projects worldwide. In 2010, Stirling, Solar Furnace).
the EuroTrough received the SolarPACES Technology
Innovation Award, and today many parabolic trough power We cover all stages of the design and engineering development
plants around the world use the EuroTrough collector that process: from the initial idea and feasibility studies through
was developed under our leadership. The UltimateTrough® planning and construction of the first prototypes to drafting
followed the design of the EuroTrough and won the Solar- construction plans for approval and managing production,
PACES 2013 Technology Innovation Award; in 2015, it construction and commissioning during the subsequent
received a commendation from the Ulrich Finsterwalder building of the power plant. This includes all optical calcu-
Ingenieurbaupreis, a prestigious German engineering award. lations, structural planning, drive and control technology.
Our latest development in solar technology is the Stellio

Heliostat. Stellio created new benchmarks for the industry
because it provides the highest quality at the lowest cost
compared to any existing heliostat worldwide. Our experience
in the field allows us to operate in a range of areas, from
offering turnkey solutions to licensing our technologies.
Parabolic trough test loop, UltimateTrough®, California, USA.
104
companies
Schmack Biogas GmbH

address Bayernwerk 8 · 92421 Schwandorf technology ■
contact Michael Groth biogas
telephone +49 (0) 9431 - 751-0 application electricity, mobility, heat | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | plant components, operations
web www.schmack-biogas.com management, biogas plants
Biogas plant Stausebach, Germany.
Comprehensive supplier of highly efficient and economic biogas plants
Schmack Biogas GmbH, Schwandorf, is one of Germany’s Specialist in wet and dry fermentation
leading providers of biogas plants. Since 1995, the company
has been setting standards for highly efficient and economic With system solutions for wet and dry fermentation,
biogas plants. The portfolio includes plant systems in the Schmack Biogas covers the entire range of fermentation
output range of 50 kW for compact plants up to 20 MW gas technologies. By using high-quality components manufac-
feed-in plants. More than 450 plants in 18 countries have tured in-house, particularly in the areas of agitator and
been installed worldwide. Since January 2010, Schmack feeding technology, Schmack offers process and energy
Biogas is part of the Viessmann Group. optimised system solutions. Schmack Biogas is also active in
international markets. With subsidiaries in Italy, the USA
Innovative technologies and processes and the UK, Schmack has a broad international presence.
The range of products and services covers the entire biogas

value chain: from project development and engineering to
feedstock and operations management. Besides technical
support, the focus is on comprehensive micro-biological
services. An in-house R & D laboratory is used to identify
and realize efficiency potentials in the area of process
biology.
Components made in-house.
105
companies
Solar Promotion GmbH

address Kiehnlestr. 16 · 75172 Pforzheim technologies ■ ■ ■
contact Horst Dufner photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, storage and grid
telephone +49 (0) 7231 - 58 59 8-0 technology
e-mail [email protected] application electricity, mobility, heat | manufacturer,
web www.intersolar.de subcontractor, wholesaler, service provider
value chain services and partner of the solar energy industry
profile other | trade fairs, events
The world’s leading exhibition

for the solar industry
With events spanning four continents, Intersolar is the

world’s leading exhibition for the solar industry and its
partners. It unites people and companies from around the
world with the aim of increasing the share of solar power in
our energy supply. We have more than 20 years of experience
in opening up markets, providing specialist knowledge and
creating links: Connecting Solar Business! A busy exhibition booth at Intersolar Europe 2015.
Intersolar Europe
Intersolar Europe, the world’s leading exhibition for the

solar industry and its partners, takes place annually at
Messe München and focuses on the areas of photovoltaics,
PV production technologies, energy storage systems and
renewable heating. Since its founding, it has become the
most important industry platform for manufacturers, sup-
pliers, distributors, service providers and partners of the A visitor to Intersolar Europe 2015 inspects a solar module.
solar industry. Intersolar Europe 2016 takes place at Messe
München from June 22 to June 24.
In 2016, the ees Europe, Europe’s largest exhibition for

batteries and energy storage systems, takes place again in
conjunction with Intersolar Europe. Covering the entire
value chain of innovative battery and energy storage tech-
nologies, both events form the leading industry platform
for storage systems presented in combination with photo-
voltaics solutions. In 2015, more than 1,000 international Meet manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and
partners of the solar energy industry.
exhibitors and over 38,000 trade visitors attended Intersolar
Europe and ees Europe.
The accompanying Intersolar Europe Conference and ees

Europe Conference consolidates the topics of the exhibition.
In 2015, more than 1,500 attendees gained information
about current industry topics and the background.
The international platform for the solar energy industry – visitors from
165 countries and exhibitors from 42 countries.
106
companies
AZISGlobal2015_Besucheranzeige_A4_DENA_Layout 1 21.10.15 10:03 Seite 1
DISCOVER THE
WORLD OF INTERSOLAR
Intersolar Europe | Munich | June 22–24, 2016

Intersolar North America | San Francisco | July 12–14, 2016
Intersolar South America | São Paulo | August 23–25, 2016
Intersolar Middle East | Dubai | September 19–21, 2016
Intersolar India | Mumbai | October 19–21, 2016
Intersolar Summits | Worldwide
Discover the World’s Leading

Exhibition Series for the Solar Industry
www.intersolarglobal.com
107
companies
SOLAR-RIPP ®
address P.O. Box 1148 · 53475 Sinzig technology ■
contact A. Appel solar thermal energy
telephone +49 (0) 2642 - 98 14 81 application heat | swimming pool operator
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer | solar heating technology
web www.solarripp.com
493 m2 SOLAR-RIPP ® on a flat roof in Gran Canaria.
Swimming pool solar heating water warming it up, without additional heat exchangers
through the hydraulic piping. A ribbed surface increases
Based 20 km south of Bonn, the Rhineland-Palatinate the total heat exchanger surface by the power of 3.2. The
company is focused on the development, manufacture amortisation period for this inexpensive variant of solar
and sale of swimming pool solar technology under the name thermal energy may be between only 3 and 5 years.
of SOLAR-RIPP ®. In addition to a number of standard
absorber sizes, the company specialises in solutions tailored
to the customer’s structural conditions (flat roof, pitched
roof, wall, fence, pergola, floor, etc.). With over 20 years of
experience and exports already handled in 40 countries,
SOLAR-RIPP ® is one of the pioneers and leading compa-
nies in this sector.
The primary goal of this solar heating technique is to trans-

port very large amounts of heat to swimming pool water at
target temperatures of +30 °C. Product solutions are available
for solar heating for small, private pools, up to large
communal and hotel pools. For this, the aim is to achieve
extremely high efficiency grades of over 80 percent through
solar thermal energy. A number of technical challenges
need to be overcome, including material resistance against
salt, chlorine and UV rays, while at the same time supporting
an extremely long plant service life. With this kind of solar
technology, the solar flows directly to the swimming pool SOLAR-RIPP ® Solar absorber for swimming pool solar heating.
108
companies
s-power Entwicklungs- und Vertriebs GmbH

address Industriestr. 24 · 49716 Meppen technology ■
contact Nina Maass solar thermal energy
telephone +49 (0) 5931 - 88 38 80 application heat | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | planning and engineering
web www.s-power.de services, solar heating technology, accessories
Industry solutions/installation examples with full vacuum tubes.
Industry solutions with full evacuated the full or high vacuum. It is therefore guaranteed to be
tube collectors protected from corrosion, condensation and material
change throughout its service life. This is made possible
s-power is a globally successful company specialized in thanks to many innovative product characteristics, especially
solar thermal energy. The founder, CEO Günter Schaffron, the globally patented unique glass metal connection.
is the inspiration and initiator behind the NARVA solar
thermal energy full vacuum tubes and the collector design. Hail resistance class HW4
In the most stringent test, the s-power full evacuated tube
100 percent made in Germany collector currently receives the highest attainable hail
Wherever quality and efficiency are being discussed, resistance class for tube collectors, HW4.
s-power already sets the standard worldwide thanks to
its high-end quality in product and technical expertise.
Individual industry solutions

Deutsche Telekom AG, the Fraunhofer Institute, luxury hotels,
the food industry, car paint industry and countless examples
from industry and business all highlight our expertise. Whether
process heat/process cooling, hot water, heating, pool
heating or solar air conditioning, s-power offers individual
sector solutions for industry, business and private housing.
Consulting, planning, preparation, support: all-in-one.
Full vacuum instead of “partial” vacuum

Process heat, process cooling, warm water, solar air conditioning, heating
Unlike the competition, the vacuum tube stands out because and pool, with solar thermal energy installations generate savings in all
the high-performance absorber unit is completely inside areas of 30-70 percent of energy costs. Images of installation options.
109
companies
Stela Laxhuber GmbH

address Öttingerstr. 2 · 84323 Massing technologies ■ ■
contact Thomas Laxhuber biogas, solid biomass
telephone +49 (0) 8724 - 899-0 application heat | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile manufacturer | installation equipment
web www.stela.de
Stela BT 1/6200-42 low temperature dryer in Italy.
Drying technology fully absorbed. This system delivers a considerable energy

saving of up to 30 percent.
STELA Laxhuber GmbH was founded in 1922 and special-
ises in the manufacture of dryers for the agricultural and The moist product layer through which the air circulates
industrial sectors. 150 trained staff are employed at the acts as an additional filter. This enables dust content values
company’s head office and production facility in Massing, of less than 10 mg/m³ to be achieved. The proven Stela
Germany. The product range covers a wide variety of sec- multi-vent system further optimises the power consump-
tors from the chipboard industry, wood pellet production, tion of the circulating air system. The system is the subject
agriculture and foods industry, fuel drying, energy and of a patent application.
waste disposal. To date, more than 3,900 dryers have been
successfully put into operation.
The topic of energy efficiency and energy saving is becom-

ing increasingly important and Stela is therefore exploiting
the innovative principle of circulating air drying. Here, the
exhaust air streams from the rear area of the dryer are fed
back to the front zones and heated up again. The hot air is
fed through the product pile, becomes saturated and cools
down in the process. The saturation level depends to a very
large extent on the amount of moisture in the product
being dried. Especially when drying to low levels of final
moisture, the air in the rear area of the dryer can not be BTU 2/6200-45 – 10/4 low-temperature belt dryer.
110
companies
Viessmann Photovoltaik GmbH

address Viessmannstr. 1 · 35107 Allendorf technology ■
contact Thomas Elefant photovoltaics
telephone +49 (0) 6452 - 70-2019 application electricity | end users, trade, local government
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier, dealer, project developer |
web www.viessmann.com pv modules, inverter, accessories
Solar park in Bromskirchen, Germany.
Efficient systems for power generation from solar energy
Power and heat are continuing to converge – the trend reliable and efficient operation throughout the useful life of
towards combining power and heat as well as the increasing the system.
share of fluctuating energy sources are leading to a decen-
tralisation of power generation. The use of solar energy for Apart from consulting and maintenance services, the
the generation of electricity is a pillar of the decentralised company also supplies solutions for thermal and electrical
power supply. storage, as well as system solutions for intelligent off-
energy use, for example with reversible heat pumps and
In the context of its comprehensive product range, ventilation units for heating, cooling and ventilation using
Viessmann has been selling photovoltaic products and off-grid photovoltaic electricity.
systems for more than ten years now. To strengthen
participation in this market segment, Viessmann
Photovoltaik GmbH was founded in 2011.
The right solution for any requirement
With its Vitovolt 200 and 300 modules, matching inverters

and battery storage systems, as well as a complete range of
mounting accessories, Viessmann offers the right photo-
voltaic system for every requirement – for detached and
semi-detached houses as well as for larger projects such as
bioenergy villages or solar parks. The high quality stan
dards applied in the selection of components guarantee Detached house with Vitovolt photovoltaic system from Viessmann.
111
companies
Viessmann Wärmepumpen GmbH

contact Jörg Schmidt geothermal energy
telephone +49 (0) 6452 - 70-1569 application heat | residential buildings, trade, industry
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | full-range supplier
web www.viessmann.com
Cascade with four Vitocal 300 heat pumps from Viessmann.
Efficient heating and cooling with air and ground source heat
Viessmann Wärmepumpen GmbH is a production com- condensing boilers and standardised high-capacity heat
pany within the Viessmann Group. The company develops pumps up to approx. 300 kW.
and produces heat pumps from 1.7 to 118 kW, for the utili-
sation of heat from the ground, groundwater or ambient Depending on the version, the heat pumps can also be used
air. The output capacity range up to 2 MW is covered by for waste-heat recovery, as well as for the cooling of build-
Viessmann (Schweiz) AG, based in Worb, Switzerland. ings. As an alternative to deephole heat exchanger drilling,
Viessmann’s ice storage system offers an innovative energy
The comprehensive Viessmann range includes heat pumps source for heat pumps.
for new buildings and the modernisation of residential
buildings, commercial use and hybrid systems, which com-
bine heat pumps and condensing appliance technology.
The portfolio is completed with domestic hotwater heat-
pumps, ventilation systems and components for cooling
and refrigeration.
Wide range of products
With a very extensive product range, Viessmann supplies

heat pumps for domestic hot water and living areas, com-
pact appliances with integrated storage water heaters,
hybrid appliances with integrated gas-fired and oil-fired
Vitocaldens 222-F hybrid heater from Viessmann.
112
companies
Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG

contact Jörg Schmidt solar thermal energy
telephone +49 (0) 6452 - 70-1569 application heat | residential buildings, trade and industry
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | full-range supplier
web www.viessmann.com
Solar thermal system for commercial use.
Full-range supplier of heating, industrial and cooling systems
The Viessmann Group is one of the leading international 120,000 kilowatts for all applications and all sources of
manufacturers of heating, cooling and climate control energy. In the area of solar thermal energy, the company
technology. Founded in 1917, the family business main- has over 30 years’ experience in the development and
tains a staff of 11,500 employees and generates a group manufacture of highly efficient solar thermal systems with
turnover of 2.2 billion euros. flat-plate and vacuum tube collectors.
With 22 production divisions in 11 countries, subsidiaries Solar energy systems for residential buildings,
and representations in 74 countries and 120 sales offices trade, industry
around the world, Viessmann is an internationally orien-
tated company. 56 percent of sales are generated abroad. Viessmann solar energy systems are suitable for new build-
ings and for modernising residential buildings, for applica-
The comprehensive Viessmann range includes individual tions in trade and industry and for use in local and district
solutions with efficient systems and outputs of 1.5 to heating networks. Depending on the particular application,
up to 60 percent of the hot water requirement and up to
one third of the heating requirement can be covered.
The portfolio includes flat-plate and vacuum tube solar col-

lectors, storage water heaters, buffer storage, solar power
control systems and accessories. Because all components
are carefully coordinated, this results in efficient and reliable
solutions.
Vitosol 300-F flat-plate collector.
113
companies
Voith Hydro Holding GmbH

address Alexanderstr. 11 · 89522 Heidenheim technology ■
contact Dr. Vesna Stirnadel hydropower
telephone +49 (0) 7321 - 37 0 application electricity | industry
e-mail [email protected] profile full-line supplier | measurement and control systems,
web www.voith.com planning and engineering services, hydroelectric
value chain full-line supplier power plants
The dam of the pump storage power plant Limberg I in Austria.
Voith is a global technology group. With energy, oil & gas, to automation systems, that is, measuring and control
paper, raw materials and transport & automotive, the technologies, up to service including modernisation of
broad portfolio with its plants, products and services existing plants.
serves five essential markets in all regions of the world.
Voith’s operating business is bundled in four Group Moreover, Voith Hydro offers research and development,
Divisions: Voith Hydro, Voith Industrial Services, consulting, technical planning, manufacturing, assembly
Voith Paper and Voith Turbo. or commissioning operations.
As a division of the group, Voith Hydro is among the global

leaders in the hydropower sector, with approximately
5,200 employees and turnover of 1.3 billion euros in
business year 2013 – 14.
As a full-line supplier of equipment for hydropower plants,

Voith Hydro is one of the leading industrial partners for
power plant operators all over the world. This includes the
fields of electricity generation from hydropower as well as
energy storage systems.
Voith Hydro’s range of products and services covers the

entire life cycle and all components of large and small
hydropower plants: From generators, turbines and pumps Generator and magnetic core housing; Wehr hydropower plant.
114
companies
WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH

address Zum Langenberg 2 · 49377 Vechta technology ■
contact Hajo Schierhold biogas
telephone +49 (0) 4441 - 999 78-0 application electricity, heat | agriculture, local
e-mail [email protected] government and industry
web www.weltec-biopower.de profile full-line supplier | plant components,
value chain full-line supplier installation equipment, biogas plants
WELTEC builds waste-to-energy biogas plants around the globe.
WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH is one of the leading global guaranteed through 24/7 availability and its own labora-
companies in the construction of biogas plants from stainless tory. Since 2008, ISO 9001 and 14001 certificates have
steel. The company has planned, developed and constructed guaranteed their quality and environmental management.
biogas plants since 2001. WELTEC currently employs
around 80 employees and has set up over 300 power With the subsidiary Nordmethan, a further area of business
plants in 25 countries. The global sales and service network is to run biomethane plants and supply heating through
is spread over six continents. Customers include companies energy contracting.
from the waste and food industries, agriculture and the
wastewater industry.
The strengths of WELTEC are individual, sophisticated

solutions up to a plant size of 10 megawatts. A core component
of the success is the high proportion of internally developed
components. Its advantage is also that it uses stainless
steel material. The precious metal allows substrates to be
used in various ways, fast assembly with low effort and a
consistently high standard of quality regardless of the site.
Since commissioning the biogas plant, WELTEC has offered

skilled support from the mechanical and biological service
team. The cost-effectiveness of the plants is substantially WELTEC offers solutions for gas treatment to biomethane.
115
Directory
iStock.com/Fabian Wentzel
Company directory
Company directory
aap GmbH / Nature Technology Systems (nts) ■ agriKomp Bohemia s.r.o. ■

contact: Uwe Ahrens contact: Martin Mruzek
address: Duisburger Str. 2a, 10707 Berlin, Germany address: Ostopovická 10, 66447 Strelice, Czech Republic
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 552 744 35 telephone: +420 (0) 53 - 05 08-832
e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected]
homepage: www.x-wind.de homepage: www.agrikomp.cz
value chain: full-line supplier value chain: full-line supplier
application field: electricity p. 78 application field: electricity, heat
agriKomp GmbH ■ AkoTec Produktionsgesellschaft mbH ■■

contact: Thomas Franke contact: Katrin Müller
address: Energiepark 2, 91732, Merkendorf, Germany address: Grundmühlenweg 3, 16278 Angermünde,
telephone: +49 (0) 9826 - 659 59-126 Germany
e-mail: [email protected] telephone: +49 (0) 3331 - 36 57-243

homepage: www.agrikomp.de e-mail: [email protected]

value chain: full-line supplier homepage: www.akotec.eu
application field: electricity, heat p. 79 value chain: manufacturer
application field: heat p. 80
agriKomp UK Ltd. ■
contact: Quentin Kelly-Edwards Ammonit Measurement GmbH ■■■
address: Unit 181, Avenue M, Stoneleigh Park, contact: Vincent Camier
Warwickshire CV8 2LG, United Kingdom address: Wrangelstr. 100, 10997 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +44 (0) 121 - 374 26-10 telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 600 31 88-0
homepage: www.agrikomp.co.uk homepage: www.ammonit.com
value chain: full-line supplier value chain: full-line supplier
application field: electricity, heat application field: electricity p. 81
agriKomp France ■ Andritz Hydro GmbH ■

contact: Richard Dion contact: Karin Kowaczek
address: 5 rue Franciade, 41260 La Chaussée St Victor, address: Escher-Wyss-Weg 1, 88212 Ravensburg, Germany
France telephone: +49 (0) 751 - 295 118 01
telephone: +33 (0) 2545 - 618-57 e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected] homepage: www.andritz.com
homepage: www.agrikomp.fr value chain: full-line supplier
value chain: full-line supplier application field: electricity p. 84
application field: electricity, heat
■ Wind energy ■ Geothermal energy ■ Solar thermal energy ■ Biogas ■ Storage and grid technology
■ Hydropower ■ Photovoltaics ■ Solar thermal power plants ■ Solid biomass ■ Other industry sectors
118
Company directory
Aschoff Solar GmbH ■■ BayWa r.e. renewable energy GmbH ■■■■■

contact: Carsten Aschoff address: Herzog-Heinrich-Str. 9, 80336 München,
address: Rosenau 13, 91580 Petersaurach, Germany Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 9872 – 486 289-0 telephone: +49 (0) 89 - 383 932-0
homepage: www.aschoff-solar.com homepage: www.baywa-re.com
value chain: plant engineering value chain: full-line supplier
application field: electricity, heat p. 82 application field: electricity p. 88
asola Technologies GmbH ■■ BTS Biogas GmbH ■

contact: Erich Klosterkamp contact: Gianluca Visconti
address: Konrad-Zuse-Str. 25, 99099 Erfurt, Germany address: Leißstr. 6a, 83620 Feldkirchen-Westerham,
telephone: +49 (0) 361 - 241 425-0 Germany
e-mail: [email protected] telephone: +49 (0) 8063 - 200 33-11
homepage: www.asola-tech.de e-mail: [email protected]
value chain: full-line supplier homepage: www.bts-biogas.com
application field: electricity, mobility p. 85 value chain: full-line supplier
application field: electricity, heat, mobility
Autarctech GmbH ■
contact: Patrick Cousins CUBE Engineering GmbH ■■■
address: Technologiepark 1, 91522 Ansbach, Germany contact: Andre Niederheide, Sales Manager
telephone: +49 (0) 981 - 987 893 38 address: Breitscheidstr. 6, 34119 Kassel, Germany
e-mail: [email protected] telephone: +49 (0) 561 - 288 573 10
homepage: www.autarctech.de e-mail: [email protected]
value chain: manufacturer homepage: www.cube-engineering.com
application field: electricity value chain: services
application field: electricity, heat p. 93
contact: Stefan Bauch, Head of Planning and Project

Awite Bioenergie GmbH ■ Management
contact: Dr.-Ing. Martin Grepmeier address: Borselstr. 16, 22765 Hamburg, Germany
address: Grünseiboldsdorfer Weg 5, 85416 Langenbach, telephone: +49 (0) 40 - 600 094 67-10
Germany e-mail: [email protected]
telephone: +49 (0) 87 61 - 721 62-0 homepage: www.cube-engineering.com
e-mail: [email protected]
homepage: www.awite.com contact: Sebastian Meyer, Branch Manager
value chain: manufacturer address: Andreaestr. 3, 30159 Hannover, Germany
application field: electricity, mobility, heat p. 86 telephone: +49 (0) 511 – 515 156-10
homepage: www.cube-engineering.com
119
Company directory
DIVE Turbinen GmbH & Co. KG ■ KOSTAL Solar Electric GmbH ■■

contact: Christian Winkler contact: Sales Team
address: Am Grundlosen Brunnen 2, 63916 Amorbach, address: Hanferstr. 6, 79108 Freiburg i. Br., Germany
Germany telephone: +49 (0) 761 - 477 44-100
telephone: +49 (0) 9373 - 974 939 e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected] homepage: www.kostal-solar-electric.com
homepage: www.dive-turbine.de value chain: manufacturer
value chain: manufacturer application field: electricity p. 96
application field: electricity p. 94
LAMBION Energy Solutions GmbH ■

EnviTec Biogas AG ■ contact: Ralf Baues
contact: Katrin Selzer address: Auf der Walme 1, 34454 Bad Arolsen, Germany
address: Boschstr. 2, 48369 Saerbeck, Germany telephone: +49 (0) 5691 - 807-0
telephone: +49 (0) 2574 - 88 88-0 e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected] homepage: www.lambion.de
homepage: www.envitec-biogas.com value chain: plant engineering
value chain: full-line supplier application field: electricity, heat p. 97
LIPP GmbH ■
Heckert Solar GmbH ■ contact: Karin Lipp-Mayer
address: Carl-von-Bach-Str. 11, 09116 Chemnitz, Germany address: Industriestr. 27, 73497 Tannhausen, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 371 - 458 568-0 telephone: +49 (0) 7964 - 90 03-0
homepage: www.heckert-solar.com homepage: www.lipp-system.de
value chain: manufacturer value chain: manufacturer
application field: electricity application field: electricity, heat p. 98
KBB Kollektorbau GmbH ■ Nolting Holzfeuerungstechnik GmbH ■

contact: Anja Schmidt contact: Joachim Eggers
address: Bruno-Bürgel-Weg 142 – 144, 12439 Berlin, address: Aquafinstr. 15, 32760 Detmold, Germany
Germany telephone: +49 (0) 5231 - 95 55-0
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 678 17 89-12 e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected] homepage: www.nolting-online.de
homepage: www.kbb-solar.com value chain: manufacturer
value chain: manufacturer application field: heat p. 99
application field: heat
120
Company directory
Ossberger GmbH + Co ■ PV-Projects Agency ■■■

contact: Holger Franke contact: Matthias Raab
address: Otto-Rieder-Str. 7, 91781 Weissenburg, Germany address: Fontanestr. 32, 12049 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 9141 - 977-0 telephone: +49 (0) 162 - 800 20 10
homepage: www.ossberger.de homepage: www.pv-pa.com
value chain: manufacturer value chain: services
application field: electricity p. 100 application field: electricity, mobility, heat
Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Germany GmbH Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) ■■■■■■■

& Co.KG, Hiross Zander Filtration Division ■ contact: Manolita Wiehl
contact: Steven Scott address: Schönhauser Allee 10/11, 10119 Berlin, Germany
address: Im Teelbruch 118, 45219 Essen, Germany telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 526 89 58-70
telephone: +49 (0) 191 - 402-9688 e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected] homepage: www.renac.de
homepage: www.parker.com/hzdf value chain: services
value chain: manufacturer application field: electricity, heat p. 103
sbp sonne gmbh ■■

Planungsbüro SolarForm ■■■■■■ contact: Melanie Bagi
contact: Christian Ladwig address: Schwabstr. 43, 70197 Stuttgart, Germany
address: Sackmannstr. 1, 30453 Hannover, Germany telephone: +49 (0) 711 - 648 710
e-mail: [email protected] homepage: www.sbp.de
homepage: www.solarform.de value chain: services
value chain: services application field: electricity p. 104
application field: electricity
Schmack Biogas GmbH ■

ProfEC Ventus GmbH ■■ contact: Michael Groth
contact: Andreas Jansen / Mathias Hoelzer address: Bayernwerk 8, 92421 Schwandorf, Germany
address: Im Ofenerfeld 23, 26127 Oldenburg, Germany telephone: +49 (0) 9431 - 751-0
e-mail: [email protected] homepage: www.schmack-biogas.com
homepage: www.profec-ventus.com value chain: full-line supplier
value chain: services application field: electricity, mobility, heat p. 105
121
Company directory
Schmack Carbotech GmbH ■ s-power Entwicklungs- und Vertriebs GmbH ■

contact: Alfons Schulte-Schulze Berndt contact: Nina Maass
address: Natorpstr. 27, 45139 Essen, Germany address: Industriestr. 24, 49716 Meppen, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 201 - 507 093 00 telephone: +49 (0) 5931 - 883 88-0
homepage: www.carbotech.info homepage: www.s-power.de
value chain: manufacturer value chain: manufacturer
application field: mobility, heat p. 92 application field: heat p. 109
Solar Promotion GmbH / Intersolar Europe ■■■ Stela Laxhuber GmbH ■■

contact: Horst Dufner contact: Thomas Laxhuber
address: Kiehnlestr. 16, 75172 Pforzheim, Germany address: Öttingerstr. 2, 84323 Massing, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 7231 - 585 98-0 telephone: +49 (0) 8724 - 899-0
homepage: www.intersolar.de homepage: www.stela.de
value chain: services value chain: manufacturer
application field: electricity, mobility, heat p. 106 application field: heat p. 110
solarnova Deutschland GmbH ■ Viessmann Photovoltaik GmbH ■

contact: Petra Schmigalle contact: Thomas Elefant
address: Am Marienhof 6, 22880 Wedel, Germany address: Viessmannstr. 1, 35107 Allendorf, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 4103 - 912 08 23 telephone: +49 (0) 6452 - 70-2019
homepage: www.solarnova.de homepage: www.viessmann.com
value chain: manufacturer value chain: full-line supplier
application field: electricity application field: electricity p. 111
Solar-Ripp® ■ Viessmann Wärmepumpen GmbH ■

contact: Andreas Appel contact: Jörg Schmidt
address: P.O. Box 1148, 53475 Sinzig, Germany address: Viessmannstr. 1, 35107 Allendorf, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 2642 - 981 481 telephone: +49 (0) 6452 - 70-1569
homepage: www.solarripp.com homepage: www.viessmann.com
value chain: manufacturer value chain: full-line supplier
application field: heat p. 108 application field: heat p. 112
122
Company directory
Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG ■

contact: Jörg Schmidt
address: Viessmannstr. 1, 35107 Allendorf, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 6452 - 70-1569
homepage: www.viessmann.com
value chain: full-line supplier
application field: heat p. 113
Voith Hydro Holding GmbH ■

contact: Dr. Vesna Stirnadel
address: Alexanderstr. 11, 89522 Heidenheim, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 7321 - 370
homepage: www.voith.com
Volkmann Consult ■■■■

contact: Dirk Volkmann
address: Joachimstr. 55, 40547 Düsseldorf, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 211 – 171 843 02
homepage: www.volkmann-consult.de
value chain: services
application field: electricity
WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH ■

contact: Hajo Schierhold
address: Zum Langenberg 2, 49377 Vechta, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 4441 - 999 78-0
homepage: www.weltec-biopower.de
123
Institutions and associations
Renewable energy Hydropower
Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie e. V. (BEE), Bundesverband Deutscher

(German Renewable Energy Federation, BEE) Wasserkraftwerke e. V. (BDW)
address: Invalidenstr. 91, 10115 Berlin, Germany (German Hydropower Association)
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 275 81 70-0 address: Invalidenstr. 91, 10115 Berlin, Germany
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 275 81 70-20 telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 27 58 25 05
homepage: www.bee-ev.de fax: +49 (0) 30 - 27 87 94 32
homepage: www.wasserkraft-deutschland.de
Fördergesellschaft Erneuerbare Energien e. V. (FEE)

(Association for the Promotion of Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und
Renewable Energy, FEE) Anlagenbau e. V. (VDMA)
address: Invalidenstr. 91, 10115 Berlin, Germany (German Engineering Federation)
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 84 71 06 97-0 address: Lyoner Str. 18, 60528 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 84 71 06 97-9 telephone: +49 (0) 69 - 66 03-0
homepage: www.fee-ev.de fax: +49 (0) 69 - 66 03-1511
homepage: www.vdma.org
Wind energy
Geothermal energy
Bundesverband WindEnergie e. V. (BWE)

(German Wind Energy Association) Bundesverband Geothermie e. V.
address: Neustädtische Kirchstr. 6, 10117 Berlin, Germany (German Geothermal Association)
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 21 23 41-210 address: Albrechtstr. 22, 10117 Berlin, Germany
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 21 23 41-410 telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 20 09 54 95-0
homepage: www.wind-energie.de fax: +49 (0) 30 - 20 09 54 95-9
homepage: www.geothermie.de
Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und

Anlagenbau e. V. (VDMA) Solar energy
(German Engineering Federation)
address: Lyoner Str. 18, 60528 Frankfurt/Main, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 69 - 66 03-0
fax: +49 (0) 69 - 66 03-1511 Bundesverband der Deutschen Heizungsindustrie e. V.
homepage: www.vdma.org (BDH)
(Federation of German heating Industry)
address: Frankfurter Str. 720 – 726,
51145 Köln (Porz-Eil), Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 2203 - 935 93-0
fax: +49 (0) 2203 - 935 93-22
homepage: www.bdh-koeln.de
124
BSW – Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft e. V. Centrales Agrar-Rohstoff Marketing- und

(German Solar Association) Energie-Netzwerk e. V. (C.A.R.M.E.N.)
address: Quartier 207, Französische Str. 23, (Central Marketing and Development Network)
10117 Berlin, Germany address: Schulgasse 18, 94315 Straubing, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 297 77 88-0 telephone: +49 (0) 9421 - 96 03-00
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 297 77 88-99 fax: +49 (0) 9421 - 96 03-33
homepage: www.solarwirtschaft.de homepage: www.carmen-ev.de
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Deutscher Energieholz- und Pellet-

Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) Verband e. V. (DEPV)
(German Aerospace Center) (German Energy Pellet Association)
address: Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, Germany address: Neustädtische Kirchstr. 8, 10117 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 2203 - 601-0 telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 688 15 99-66
fax: +49 (0) 2203 - 673 10 fax: +49 (0) 30 - 688 15 99-77
homepage: www.dlr.de homepage: www.depv.de
Bioenergy Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V. (FNR)

(Agency for Renewable Resources)
address: Hofplatz 1, 18276 Gülzow-Prüzen, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 3843 - 69 30-0
Bundesverband BioEnergie e. V. (BBE) fax: +49 (0) 3843 - 69 30-102
(German Bioenergy Association) homepage: www.fnr.de
address: Godesberger Allee 142 –148, 53175 Bonn,
Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 228 - 810 02-22
fax: +49 (0) 228 - 810 02-58 Fachverband Biogas e. V. (FvB)
homepage: www.bioenergie.de (German Biogas Association)
address: Angerbrunnenstr. 12, 85356 Freising, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 8161 - 98 46-60
fax: +49 (0) 8161 - 98 46-70
Bundesverband der deutschen homepage: www.biogas.org
Bioethanolwirtschaft e. V. (BDBe)
(German Bioethanol Association)
address: Reinhardtstr. 16, 10117 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 301 29 53-0 Fördergesellschaft für nachhaltige Biogas- und
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 301 29 53-10 Bioenergienutzung (FnBB) e. V.
homepage: www.bdbe.de (German Biogas and Bioenergy Society)
address: Am Feuersee 8, 74592 Kirchberg / Jagst, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 7954 - 92 19 69
fax: +49 (0) 7954 - 926-204
homepage: www.fnbb.org
125
IBBK Fachgruppe Biogas GmbH Other institutions and partners

(International Biogas & Bioenergy Center
of Competence, IBBK)
address: Am Feuersee 6, 74592 Kirchberg / Jagst, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 7954 - 926-203 AUMA – Ausstellungs- und Messe-Ausschuss
fax: +49 (0) 7954 - 926-204 der Deutschen Wirtschaft e. V.
homepage: www.ibbk.fachgruppe-biogas.de (Association of the German Trade Fair Industry)
address: Littenstr. 9, 10179 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 240 00-0
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 240 00-330
Union zur Förderung von Oel- und homepage: www.auma.de
Proteinpflanzen e. V. (UFOP)
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants)
address: Claire-Waldoff-Str. 7, 10117 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 319 04-202 B2B Renewable Energies – Multilingual online
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 319 04-485 business platform for renewable energies
homepage: www.ufop.de homepage: www.renewablesb2b.com
Verband der Deutschen Deutsche Auslandshandelskammern

Biokraftstoffindustrie e. V. (VDB) (German Chambers of Commerce)
(German Biofuels Industry Association)
address: Am Weidendamm 1 A, 10117 Berlin, Germany Directory of German Chambers of
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 72 62 59-11 Commerce abroad:
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 72 62 59-19 homepage: www.ahk.de/en
homepage: www.biokraftstoffverband.de
Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag (DIHK)

Storage and grid technology (The German Chambers of Industry and Commerce)
address: Breite Str. 29, 10178 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 20 30 80
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 203 08 10 00
Bundesverband Energiespeicher e. V. (BVES) homepage: www.dihk.de
(German Energy Storage Association)
address: Oranienburger Str. 15, 10178 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0)30 - 546 10 – 630
fax: +49 (0)30 - 300 145-500 Germany Trade and Invest – Gesellschaft für
homepage: www.bves.de Außenwirtschaft und Standortmarketing mbH
(The economic development agency of the Federal
Republic of Germany)
address: Friedrichstr. 60, 10117 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 20 00 99-0
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 20 00 99-812
homepage: www.gtai.com
126
iXPOS – The German Business Portal Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche

homepage: www.ixpos.de Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ)
(Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and
Development)
address: Stresemannstr. 94, 10963 Berlin, Germany
German authorities and ministries telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 185 35-0
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 185 35-250
homepage: www.bmz.de
Auswärtiges Amt (AA)

(Federal Foreign Office)
address: Werderscher Markt 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany Umweltbundesamt (UBA)
telephone: +49 (0) 3018 - 17-2000 (Federal Environment Agency)
fax: +49 (0) 3018 - 17-3402 address: Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
homepage: www.auswaertiges-amt.de telephone: +49 (0) 340 - 21 03-0
fax: +49 (0) 340 - 21 03-2285
homepage: www.umweltbundesamt.de
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und

Landwirtschaft (BMEL)
(Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture)
address: Wilhelmstr. 54, 10117 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 185 29-0
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 185 29-42 62
homepage: www.bmel.de
Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau

und Reaktorsicherheit (BMUB)
(Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety)
address: Stresemannstr. 128 – 130, 10117 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 183 05-0
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 183 05-2044
homepage: www.bmub.bund.de
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWi)

(Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy)
address: Scharnhorststr. 34 – 37, 10115 Berlin, Germany
telephone: +49 (0) 30 - 186 15-0
fax: +49 (0) 30 - 186 15-7010
homepage: www.bmwi.de
127
Cooperation partners
Bundesverband der Deutschen Heizungsindustrie e. V.
(BDH)
(Federation of German heating Industry)
homepage: www.bdh-koeln.de
Information on: Geothermal, Photovoltaics,

Solar thermal, Solid biomass
Bundesverband BioEnergie e. V. (BBE)

(German Bioenergy Association)
homepage: www.bioenergie.de
Information on: Solid biomass
Bundesverband Deutscher Wasserkraftwerke e. V. (BDW)

(German Hydropower Association)
homepage: www.wasserkraft-deutschland.de
Information on: Hydropower
Bundesverband Energiespeicher e. V.

(German Energy Storage Association)
homepage: www.bves.de
Information on: Storage and grid technology
Bundesverband Geothermie e. V.

(German Geothermal Association)
homepage: www.geothermie.de
Information on: Geothermal energy
128
Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft (BSW-Solar)

(German Solar Association)
homepage: www.solarwirtschaft.de
Information on: Photovoltaics, Solar thermal energy
Bundesverband WindEnergie e. V. (BWE)

(German Wind Energy Association)
homepage: www.wind-energie.de
Information on: Wind energy
Deutscher Energieholz- und Pellet-Verband e. V. (DEPV)

(German Wood Energy and Wood Pellet Association)
homepage: www.depv.de
Information on: Solid biomass
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

(German Aerospace Center)
homepage: www.dlr.de
Information on: Solar thermal power plants
Fachverband Biogas e. V.

(German Biogas Association)
homepage: www.biogas.org
Information on: Biogas
129
Notes
130

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German Energy Agency

Energy supply with

renewables – Made in Germany

Design and implementation

All rights reserved. Any use is subject to consent by dena.

This positive trend should be continued, while always having

I am therefore delighted to be able to provide you with the

German companies are international trailblazers in the

Companies CUBE Engineering GmbH ■ ■ ■ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

aap GmbH/Nature Technology Systems (nts) ■ . . . . . . . . . . 78 Directory

renewable energies demand.

“Made in Germany” renewable energy technologies,

Goals Benefits of renewable energies

Local creation of value ■■ They create jobs in sustainable-growth industries.

HEOS Energy GmbH

Constructing plants to utilise renewable sources of energy

Individual consultancy is absolutely necessary to be able to Large-scale projects

Yield cos are an innovative new way of financing renewable

2014, 3.3 billion euros (64 percent of the total commit-

Renewable Energy Asia 2014,

Export financing Individual plants / smaller projects

Investment promotion Advantages of importing German goods

You can obtain further information at our online portal,

Apart from the information on technical aspects and

When it comes to the topic of “transitioning from nuclear

Expansion according to plan: the growth trajectory

Owing to political encouragement early on, renewable

The increase in the utilisation of renewable energies in

Today’s challenges to energy policy

The Energy Line Extension Act 2009 (EnLAG) is intended

Onshore wind turbines

To achieve high yields, turbines were developed with high

Offshore wind farms may partly replace conventional

with the effects of salty air, pose particular challenges for

Small wind turbines

There is, as yet, no precise definition for a small wind tur-

■■According to IEC standard 61400-2:2006, small wind

■■Germany’s Wind Energy Association (BWE) distinguishes

- Micro wind turbines (up to 5 kW nominal output)

The tower is not normally higher than 20 m, and the

German manufacturers of small wind turbines have

■■Offshore: In the offshore wind application field the

Continued international expansion of wind energy will

Research and development in wind energy aims, in par-

1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008 2011 2012 2014

offshore projects that are likely to achieve a newly installed

Small wind turbines

Wind energy as an addition to hydropower

This pumped storage power plant in Häusern, Germany, generates around

are normally used to cover the base load. Their capacity is

A diversion hydropower plant is a special type of run-of-

Hydropower channel. In the case of a standard run-of-the-river power

therefore enable a stable electricity supply from renewable

Technologies and applications

Types of power plant

A significant proportion of further development in hydro-

German project development companies have substantial

power plant is to be erected. The use of hydro­power plants

In regions still lacking an extensive electricity grid, a hydro­

power plant is to be erected. The use of hydropower plants

In regions still lacking an extensive electricity grid, a hydro

t hermal energy can then be converted to electric power,