Electricity from solar and wind alone – that will be very expensive

GES supports the use of renewable energies in electricity generation – sensibly, in a reasonable balance with reliably controllable sources. In a study, we demonstrate how the macroeconomic electricity system costs of a largely climate-neutral German electricity system develop under different generation structures. In doing so, we consider not only the levelised cost of electricity for individual technologies, but the total costs of the system. Conclusion: A climate-neutral German electricity system will only be affordable, robust and industrially viable in the long term if its architecture is consistently geared towards total system costs rather than individual technological targets.