Over the past two decades, Germany has undergone a significant shift in its energy production paradigm. The share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption has increased from 7.2% in 2005 to 19.4% in 2021. However, the distribution of renewable energy across different consumption sectors exhibits considerable variation. In 2021, their share of the electricity market was 45.4%, while in the heat and cooling sector it was 15.7% and in the transport sector it was 6.8%. In light of the climate crisis and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the further expansion of renewable energy sources is of critical importance.

In contrast to conventional energy generation, renewable energy sources enable decentralized production with minimal environmental impact. The future energy system is likely to rely primarily on electricity, be spatially distributed, and yet remain highly interconnected. Currently, the capacity for renewable electricity generation is geographically unevenly distributed, with the majority located far from urban areas. In order to ensure a successful transition to a climate-friendly energy supply, it is essential that all regions of Germany participate in the transformation process. This development raises the question of an appropriate spatial monitoring of local renewable energy use, which forms a central component of this Phd project.