The energy transition is changing the energy system: In addition to central producers and traders, decentralized energy producers and individual prosumers are entering the system. For example, you can generate, store and sell energy independently through citizen energy cooperatives. By ensuring that large energy supply companies, municipal utilities and energy cooperatives all provide green energy, the decarbonization of energy production is being promoted together.

The increasingly extensive interconnections in energy supply are giving rise to new business models, e.g. long-term electricity purchase agreements (PPA) between producers and industrial customers. Systems that are not or no longer subsidized can continue to be operated profitably while the customer purchases the electricity at fixed prices agreed in advance.

The major challenges include standardization in the development of green energy products (e.g. in the combination of electricity and gas combined with proof of origin from renewable sources) and the transformation of one’s own actions. Other topics include species and environmental protection when planning the location of new wind turbines, open-field solar parks or hydroelectric power plants. Future-oriented concepts for citizen participation, e.g. the participation of tenants in generation systems in city districts, can make the industry more sustainable.

The industry includes, for example, electricity generation, heating and cooling supply via heat pumps, steam supply and electricity and gas trading via specialized or integrated companies.