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The energy sector in Germany is transforming from fossil fuels and nuclear power to renewable energy sources. This so-called "Energiewende" (energy transition) will provide a more sustainable energy mix which will increase energy security and independence as well as contribute to mitigate anthropogenic climate change. This study develops a cost minimising linear programming model to optimise the energy mix of the electricity market in Germany. The linear program considers the main sources for electricity generation as well as available storage technologies. The model provides results on the next milestone of the energy transition in 2020, respecting political targets as well as environmental, fuel, maintenance and capital costs. The results indicate that natural gas and onshore wind are the two most economically viable sources of electricity in the future. The previous dominance of coal fuelled power stations are not ecologically sustainable in the long run, yet conventional means of electricity production are likely to remain necessary in the foreseeable future.

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Florian Ludwig, Dipl.-Ing.(FH), MSc: Master in Natural Resources Management and Ecological Engineering at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna and the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague after studying Timber Engineering at HAWK in Hildesheim and working as a structural engineer in Stuttgart.

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