Renewable energies Insuring a technology of the future

1,38
MB

64
stron

2982
ID Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft

2004
rok

Contents

Executive summary 4

Munich Re’s sustainable commitment 6

01

Global energy consumption and climate change

Energy production worldwide: The mix is changing 10

At the beginning of the new millennium, it is becoming increasingly clear that the global energy mix

will change.

The focus is turning to renewables.

Exhausting:Worldwide energy consumption 11

The energy sector is one of the most dynamic branches of the economy. How is global energy

consumption developing?

Windmills against climate change? 13

The earth’s temperature is rising at an ominous rate, and without the sustainable use of renewable

forms of energy, it will not be possible to combat global warming judiciously.

02

A review of renewable energies

The long road to in.nity 18

Renewable energy sources could meet global energy requirements many times over. When will

they be available for use on a large scale?

Types of renewable energy and their uses 20

Nature supplies energy in a broad range of forms, all we have to do is use them. A summary.

The sun as a power plant – Light and dark sides 28

Dr Franz Trieb, a world-renowned expert on large-scale solar thermal power plants, explains the light

and dark sides of this technology of the future in an interview.

Renewable energies – Sector with knock-on effects 30

Whether hauliers, .tters, or operators: they all need to insure their risks.

Biomass Geothermal energy

03

Renewable energies – Market of the future

Renewable energies – Opportunities and risks for the insurance industry 34

Banks and insurers play a key part in the expansion of renewable energies. What opportunities are

there, what are the risks?

Completely clean energy? The limits of insurability 40

Expert knowledge is called for in the insurance of renewable energies. Where are the limits of

insurability?

Case studies 42

Offshore wind energy on the Danish coast; geothermal heat in southern Germany.

04

Related products

Against the whims of nature – Weather derivatives 48

Weather derivatives in risk management. How to minimise the .nancial risks from the whims of

nature.

International trade for a better climate 50

International trade in emission allowances is good for the climate and gives renewables a

competitive edge.

05

Prospects

Power on the way up 54

Sun generates wind in the chimney. Solar chimney power plants in the sun-drenched belts of the

earth are gigantic energy producers. Stuttgart professor Jörg Schlaich has examples and plans.

Energy supply in the poor countries – A topic of global importance 56

Half of mankind does not have an adequate supply of energy. But access to energy is decisive to

their development.