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Germany’s gas reserves are unusually low at the beginning of January, increasing pressure on households and businesses. The Federal Network Agency is now urging people to conserve gas because the gas storage facilities are emptying faster than usual due to the ongoing cold snap. LNG terminals are also intended to support the supply, but they […]

The record amount of electricity generated from wind and solar power in 2025 met a system that makes surpluses expensive and fails to prevent bottlenecks. At the same time, costs associated with the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) are rising, as are the costs of electricity imports, risks associated with periods of low wind and

In 2025, the federal government collected €21.4 billion from CO2 certificates, but the burden is not distributed fairly. This is because CO2 costs are factored into almost all prices, as production, transport, and storage require energy. At the same time, higher-income households more frequently benefit from subsidies for electric cars, building renovations, solar panels, storage

The US aims to develop Greece into an energy hub by transporting more LNG to Europe via Greek terminals and strengthening its onward distribution into the regional energy infrastructure. The goal is a more stable gas supply in Southeast Europe, making it less vulnerable to supply disruptions and shortages. (riffreporter: 02.01.26) Why Washington Prioritizes Greece

In 2025, Switzerland was hit hard by a wave of bankruptcies, with corporate and personal bankruptcies reaching new record highs. Creditreform reported 14,958 corporate bankruptcies, an increase of over 30 percent. Personal bankruptcies also rose, while new procedures led many cases more quickly into formal proceedings. The wave of bankruptcies had a clear driver: a

Monobloc heat pumps can suffer severe frost damage during a multi-day power outage because their water-carrying components are located outside the building. As soon as the power fails, the circulation pump stops and the heating water no longer circulates through the outdoor unit. In sub-zero temperatures, pipes and heat exchangers can freeze. The ice expands

Starcar is closing down, but the scale of the collapse is surprising many: The Hamburg-based car rental company is ceasing operations following its insolvency, and more than 1,000 jobs within the group are at risk. The company filed for insolvency at the end of 2025, and until recently, no investor could be found for a

France is experiencing a cold snap, causing a noticeable increase in electricity demand. At the same time, generation is reaching record levels, and electricity prices are reacting more quickly than usual. In this situation, nuclear power and grid stability become crucial factors, as they ensure supply during peak demand. (bloomberg: 31.12.25) Cold snap during winter

On January 3, 2026, a key connection of Berlin’s power supply caught fire on a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal, causing a power outage in the southwest of the city amid wintry temperatures. Up to 45,000 households and thousands of businesses were affected. Investigators suspect a politically motivated arson attack on critical infrastructure, perpetrated

Long-term care insurance is reaching a critical threshold because expenditures are growing faster than the funding base. The average out-of-pocket cost for nursing home care already exceeds €3,000 per month, while at the same time, the insurance funds are accumulating deficits. This is precisely the scenario that critics warned about before 1995: A partial-benefit system

China will introduce a mandatory standard on January 1, 2026, limiting the energy consumption of new electric cars. The government intends to enforce efficiency through both technical and fiscal means. Manufacturers must design their models according to weight and technology to ensure demonstrable energy efficiency and allow buyers to continue benefiting from tax exemptions. These

At first glance, the target for the smart meter rollout appears to have been met. The Federal Network Agency reports a rate of 20.2 percent for mandatory installations by the end of September 2025. However, many metering point operators are still lagging far behind. For numerous operators, fines are becoming increasingly likely. This target primarily

Berlin is considered to have a reliable power supply, yet a local power outage there can last for several days. This experience shatters the convenient assumption that technology always guarantees immediate help. In a real emergency, it’s not the often-cited average power outage duration of just over 11 minutes that matters, but rather the exceptional

Electrically retractable door handles are becoming a regulatory issue in China, as the country plans to mandate mechanical emergency release mechanisms. Electric car manufacturers will therefore have to redesign their systems, since safety will take precedence. China has set a deadline for this regulation, which will hit Tesla hard, as all Tesla models are affected.

Anyone buying a home energy storage system plans for stable performance, yet a remote shutdown by the manufacturer can suddenly change everything. The Traunstein Regional Court and the Munich Higher Regional Court grant manufacturers of solar storage systems considerable leeway when a fire risk becomes concrete. Many customers then hope for a warranty claim, but