The complexity of energy supply often overwhelmed consumers, yet he can use signals the security of our energy supply is an important issue for business and politics. The discussions focus on various aspects of providing all alone taken no patent solution for themselves. Therefore, the policies at various levels must apply. The fact that fossil fuels as an energy supplier only for limited time available, makes again and again as a supposed solution to future nuclear power. Not only events, such as the recent incident in the Krummel nuclear power plant doubts about this strategy, also often claimed superiority of nuclear power as a cheaper energy supplier is provided by experts increasingly in question, since the common calculations most incidents and final disposal costs for nuclear waste too low or not calculate. Therefore, nuclear power remains a risky alternative for the operator. This became evident recently, as RWE plans for a Bulgarian nuclear reactors gave up, because the financing was not established (FTD 7.8.2009). Competition on the markets for electricity and gas hard to pursue the idea is generally good to enforce reasonable prices and high quality of services through competition.
That will not quite work only for electricity and gas. Economies of scale that large corporations are powerful let out efficiency face points, as well as the supplying network ties create here economically tight limits. Even though the EU Commission through drastic penalties the companies wants to bring to see reason (cf. the maximum penalties against E.ON Ruhrgas and GdF Suez WG.) Market sharing), whose business conduct testifies to little competition awareness. So, some time ago, about Vattenfall could fools Berlin customers with new rates where there should be even freedom of choice between several alternatives, they were disclosed but with no word or even explains. There was therefore a strong lack of enlightenment and transparency for the consumer, so that is the Berlin Senate affiliated causes saw to set up focal points for the discussion of tariffs by Vattenfall. Since it is not surprising, if now many municipalities are resuming power in their direction and power networks of utility companies buy back (see FAZ.net on the 12.9.2009). Innovation as a part of the solution than resort to exploring new energy sources and improving the efficiency of energy consumption.
Often innovation processes were used in the past by environmental conditions in the industry, which has become the leading supplier of highly advanced environmental technology Germany. This is convincingly presented by the energy expert Claudia Kemfert, if they the energy debate demanding innovation instead of depression’ sums up. The commissioning of sea wind turbines shows that here something causes, E.g., (cf. Spiegel online 12.8 2009) consumers must respond so desperate acts the own effort given the complexity of technology and market development, so you can still some room for manoeuvre for Consumers make up. This can do much about through the purchase of green electricity, conscious driving, or improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Even when construction of houses, it is crucial to pay attention to a good energy balance. Usually these are rather small steps, but in the sum of the behavior of consumers shows the energy companies and the manufacturers of commercial products, where it long has to go. Then the energy problem can be, solved as pointed out also with Claudia Kemfert, long term without a significant loss of quality of life in purchase must be included.