Seminar series
Second seminar of the HSS Wind Energy Seminar Series

After the successful kick-off seminar of the HSS online series "Wind Energy - Sustainability, Economic and Ecological Aspects" by Prof. Dr Manfred Fischedick, German energy and climate researcher, took place in September 2021, the second seminar was held on 14 October 2021. Under the title "Social Aspects, Site Selection, Routing and Financing of Wind Turbines", Roman Rudnik, Junior Communication Officer of the German Wind Energy Association, reported on German experiences, particularly with regard to meeting social reservations and conflicts with the local population.

Source: Frankfurter Allgemeine 2019

According to Rudnik, the renewable energy sector would have to more than double its capacities by 2030 in order to achieve the climate neutrality targeted in the Paris Climate Agreement. This also applies to wind energy, which was Germany's most important source of electricity for the first time in 2020. However, with the expansion of wind power plants, reservations and fears of the local population are also being revealed. Under the motto "Recognition, Consent, Support", the sector is working to expand and promote acceptance among citizens. For the future of renewable energies, Rudnik sees, among other things, a decentralisation of the supply grid, the expansion of cross-border trade within the EU grid and the use of algorithms and smart metering systems as essential.