Germany Going 100% Renewable By 2050: Is it Possible?

Germany announced this month that it is striving to produce 100% of its energy through renewable sources by 2050.  Germany already leads the world by producing 15% of its electricity through renewable sources, primarily solar power.

While this is a great goal, it has to be asked ‘Is it possible?’  No body is a bigger advocate of renewable energy than I am.  The problem with renewables is that they are not entirely reliable.  Wind comes and goes, rainy weather can stop solar production, and most importantly consumption doesn’t match production.  Where is their power going to come from at night?  Will wind produce enough for industrial consumers that are so important to Germany’s jobs growth and economy?  

All these questions remain unanswered in the press release.  But, here’s to hoping that Germany finds the answers and leads all of us into a 100% renewable energy future.