The book presents a comprehensive and systematic account of the concept, the current status and the costs of the German energy transition: the Energiewende. Written by an insider who has been working in the German energy industry for over 20 years, it follows a strictly non-political, neutral approach and clearly outlines the most relevant facts and figures. In particular, it describes the main impacts of the Energiewende on the German power system and Germany's national economy. Furthermore, it addresses questions that are of global interest with respect to energy transitions, such as the cost to the national economy, the financial burden on private households and companies and the actual effects on CO2 emissions. The book also discusses what could have been done better in terms of planning and implementing the Energiewende, and identifies important lessons for other countries that are considering a similar energy transition.

Dr. Thomas Unnerstall studied physics and philosophy at the University of Göttingen, Cornell University (USA), University of Freiburg and the University of Tübingen, where he also got his PhD in theoretical physics. After a post-doctorate in Paris, France, he joined the Ministry of the Environment of Baden-Württemberg and held the position of a personal assistant to the Environmental Secretary. Since 1995, Thomas Unnerstall has worked in the German energy industry, and for the past 15 years he has been a member of the board, first at Stadtwerke Karlsruhe GmbH and then at N-ERGIE AG in Nürnberg.