After initial skepticism renewable energies are now widely seen as the energy source of the future. Many studies recommend a transition to 100% renewable energies in the power sector by 2050 – to mitigate climate change and to ensure long term supply of energy. But how will this transition look like in practice? Katharina Umpfenbach, Fellow at Ecologic Institute, discussed these and other questions with students at the eco-social study days in Tübingen.

The issues raised at the seminar on 14 May 2011 included the following: What are the specific advantages and disadvantages of various types of renewable energy sources? What are their respective economic and environmental impacts? Will renewable energies change our daily lives? How will our energy policy decisions in Germany and Europe impact on other world regions?