Energy efficiency policies in the German energy transition

Germany's energy system is currently undergoing a massive transformation. Besides the shift towards renewable energies in electricity generation and as fuel substitution, energy efficiency plays a key part in the transformation towards a green energy economy. Within our paper we will analyze the contribution of energy efficiency policies as part of the green energy system transformation in Germany. We will present the current energy efficiency policy framework in Germany and the intended developments laid down in the Federal Government's latest National Energy Efficiency Action Plan, designed to deliver considerable additional savings by 2020. Within our analysis we will show, how the building related measures are embedded in the overall framework on energy efficiency policies. We will analyze how the new and extended instruments fit into the current framework of energy efficiency policies in Germany. As a broad variety of approaches is used the interaction of instruments is of particular interest in the analysis. With a bottom-up approach we will quantify key energy saving effects both in primary and final energy as well as economic impacts, such as investments triggered by the various measures. Our analysis suggests that substantial energy savings can be achieved, if the proposed energy efficiency measures are implemented.