Katharina Umpfenbach
@kumpfenbach.bsky.social
Working on Germany's future electricity system at dena. Views are my own.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
2025 wurden erneut weniger Radwege gebaut. Das Streichen von Geldern und Blockade von Fahrradprojekten des Senats wirkt und schadet dieser Stadt spürbar. Den Großteil der neuen Radwege im Jahr 2025 haben die Bezirke gebaut, denn Menschen vor Ort wollen dringend gute Radwege. #NichtMitUns 💪
20,5 Kilometer neue Radwege in Berlin im laufenden Jahr
www.sueddeutsche.de
December 19, 2025 at 10:08 AM
2025 wurden erneut weniger Radwege gebaut. Das Streichen von Geldern und Blockade von Fahrradprojekten des Senats wirkt und schadet dieser Stadt spürbar. Den Großteil der neuen Radwege im Jahr 2025 haben die Bezirke gebaut, denn Menschen vor Ort wollen dringend gute Radwege. #NichtMitUns 💪
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
NEW: How cheap are grid batteries?🔋🔋🔋
Grid batteries are now only c.$125/KWh connected🤯
This assessment is based on a series of expert interviews and storage auction results as of October 2025. 🧵
Grid batteries are now only c.$125/KWh connected🤯
This assessment is based on a series of expert interviews and storage auction results as of October 2025. 🧵
December 12, 2025 at 1:31 PM
NEW: How cheap are grid batteries?🔋🔋🔋
Grid batteries are now only c.$125/KWh connected🤯
This assessment is based on a series of expert interviews and storage auction results as of October 2025. 🧵
Grid batteries are now only c.$125/KWh connected🤯
This assessment is based on a series of expert interviews and storage auction results as of October 2025. 🧵
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Some of these wins are too early to call. There are good trends in deforestation (e.g.) but the policies highlighted won't further that cause.
But the renewables section. China's emissions decreasing. This is where real, tangible hope lies.
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
But the renewables section. China's emissions decreasing. This is where real, tangible hope lies.
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
Seven quiet wins for climate and nature in 2025
Here are the year's breakthroughs for the climate and nature you might have missed.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Some of these wins are too early to call. There are good trends in deforestation (e.g.) but the policies highlighted won't further that cause.
But the renewables section. China's emissions decreasing. This is where real, tangible hope lies.
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
But the renewables section. China's emissions decreasing. This is where real, tangible hope lies.
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Mein Haus ist von 1880: alte Ziegel, Radiatoren, kein Neubau-Standard. Genau der Gebäudetyp, der angeblich „nicht für Wärmepumpen taugt“.
Ich hab’s trotzdem gemacht – und es funktioniert.
Mehr dazu in meinem neuen @focusonline.bsky.social Artikel.
Ich hab’s trotzdem gemacht – und es funktioniert.
Mehr dazu in meinem neuen @focusonline.bsky.social Artikel.
Mein Wärmepumpen-Haus von 1880: Was die Heizungsdebatte verkennt
Mein Haus von 1880 widerspricht der Heizungsdebatte: Warum Wärmepumpe und Fernwärme praktikabler sind als viele glauben.
www.focus.de
December 17, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Mein Haus ist von 1880: alte Ziegel, Radiatoren, kein Neubau-Standard. Genau der Gebäudetyp, der angeblich „nicht für Wärmepumpen taugt“.
Ich hab’s trotzdem gemacht – und es funktioniert.
Mehr dazu in meinem neuen @focusonline.bsky.social Artikel.
Ich hab’s trotzdem gemacht – und es funktioniert.
Mehr dazu in meinem neuen @focusonline.bsky.social Artikel.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
I agree we shouldn't make fun of any specific person's looks, but I do think it is worth noticing and analyzing the fact that any woman who wants to be embraced in MAGA world has to shape, mold, inject, and compress herself into an extremely narrow caricature of femininity.
December 17, 2025 at 12:28 AM
I agree we shouldn't make fun of any specific person's looks, but I do think it is worth noticing and analyzing the fact that any woman who wants to be embraced in MAGA world has to shape, mold, inject, and compress herself into an extremely narrow caricature of femininity.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Commuting by bicycle in Belgium pays off as employees earn compensation for every km they ride. 1 in 6 employees commute by bike and get a bicycle allowance of €0.28/km. People cycling to work in 2024 earned an average of around €460 net per year (some as high as €810), up 20% over the past year.
Belgian commutes pay off: Employees earn up to €810 for cycling to work
One in five people in Flanders commuted by bike and received compensation last year, but this figure is significantly lower in Brussels and Wallonia.
www.brusselstimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Commuting by bicycle in Belgium pays off as employees earn compensation for every km they ride. 1 in 6 employees commute by bike and get a bicycle allowance of €0.28/km. People cycling to work in 2024 earned an average of around €460 net per year (some as high as €810), up 20% over the past year.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Global coal demand has reached a plateau & is forecast to edge down through the end of this decade as competition intensifies with other power sources.
But developments in China’s electricity sector will remain key for the sector's prospects.
Read more in our new Coal 2025 report 👉 iea.li/3L5Dc2m
But developments in China’s electricity sector will remain key for the sector's prospects.
Read more in our new Coal 2025 report 👉 iea.li/3L5Dc2m
December 17, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Global coal demand has reached a plateau & is forecast to edge down through the end of this decade as competition intensifies with other power sources.
But developments in China’s electricity sector will remain key for the sector's prospects.
Read more in our new Coal 2025 report 👉 iea.li/3L5Dc2m
But developments in China’s electricity sector will remain key for the sector's prospects.
Read more in our new Coal 2025 report 👉 iea.li/3L5Dc2m
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
After a big fall in coal-fired power generation in November, the CO2 emissions from China’s three largest emitting sectors - power, steel and cement - are almost certain to fall in 2025.
Our detailed monthly snapshot on power generation, industry and air pollution in China 👇
Our detailed monthly snapshot on power generation, industry and air pollution in China 👇
🇨🇳 NEW | China monthly snapshot | December 2025 | Energy & air pollution | EN & CN
📉 CO2 emissions from China’s three largest emitting sectors—power, steel, cement—almost certain to fall in 2025
💡 📉 In November 2025, coal power generation was down by 5.5% YoY
📉 CO2 emissions from China’s three largest emitting sectors—power, steel, cement—almost certain to fall in 2025
💡 📉 In November 2025, coal power generation was down by 5.5% YoY
December 17, 2025 at 6:12 AM
After a big fall in coal-fired power generation in November, the CO2 emissions from China’s three largest emitting sectors - power, steel and cement - are almost certain to fall in 2025.
Our detailed monthly snapshot on power generation, industry and air pollution in China 👇
Our detailed monthly snapshot on power generation, industry and air pollution in China 👇
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
One of the biggest reasons why better cities are hard to achieve is the powerful proven psychology of “status quo bias.” No matter how bad an idea was in the first place, once it’s in place, our “loss aversion” means we will fight irrationally hard to protect it from any change to something better.
December 16, 2025 at 4:48 AM
One of the biggest reasons why better cities are hard to achieve is the powerful proven psychology of “status quo bias.” No matter how bad an idea was in the first place, once it’s in place, our “loss aversion” means we will fight irrationally hard to protect it from any change to something better.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Imagine if cities demanded the same of car manufacturers.
Lime and Forest are on their "last warning" if they don't fix "persistent problems" with rider behaviour and dangerous parking.
Council demands “urgent action” from Lime and Forest hire bike operators to “fix persistent problems”
Islington Council has threatened that e-bike hire companies Lime and Forest are on their “last warning” and face losing permission to operate in the borough unless they deal with the dangerous parking...
road.cc
December 16, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Imagine if cities demanded the same of car manufacturers.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Ever wondered why no one talks about the hole in the ozone layer anymore?
It's because we fixed it.
Scientists provided the data, governments implemented policies, and people came together to take global collective action.
It can be done.
Now we need to do the same for methane emissions.
It's because we fixed it.
Scientists provided the data, governments implemented policies, and people came together to take global collective action.
It can be done.
Now we need to do the same for methane emissions.
This is another ‘ozone layer’ moment. Now, we must urgently target methane | Mia Mottley
The oil and gas industry must be legally bound to cut methane emissions. With climate tipping points approaching, time is running out, says the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Ever wondered why no one talks about the hole in the ozone layer anymore?
It's because we fixed it.
Scientists provided the data, governments implemented policies, and people came together to take global collective action.
It can be done.
Now we need to do the same for methane emissions.
It's because we fixed it.
Scientists provided the data, governments implemented policies, and people came together to take global collective action.
It can be done.
Now we need to do the same for methane emissions.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
NEW | Electric vehicles (EVs) make up OVER A QUARTER of new car sales in 2025 – with many emerging economies moving fast in transport electrification.
EVs enable countries to:
🛢️ Cut fossil imports
⛑️ Create new industries and jobs
🍃 Improve air quality
https://loom.ly/pMmY5Y8
EVs enable countries to:
🛢️ Cut fossil imports
⛑️ Create new industries and jobs
🍃 Improve air quality
https://loom.ly/pMmY5Y8
December 16, 2025 at 10:01 AM
NEW | Electric vehicles (EVs) make up OVER A QUARTER of new car sales in 2025 – with many emerging economies moving fast in transport electrification.
EVs enable countries to:
🛢️ Cut fossil imports
⛑️ Create new industries and jobs
🍃 Improve air quality
https://loom.ly/pMmY5Y8
EVs enable countries to:
🛢️ Cut fossil imports
⛑️ Create new industries and jobs
🍃 Improve air quality
https://loom.ly/pMmY5Y8
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Vingt autres rues de Paris avant / après en une minute
December 15, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Vingt autres rues de Paris avant / après en une minute
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Der Zwangs-Umstieg auf Windows 11 produziert massiv Elektroschrott, weil ältere Computer die neuen Anforderungen nicht erfüllen und gleichzeitig notwendige Sicherheitsupdates für Windows 10 auslaufen.
Ich stimme VZBV zu:
Wir brauchen längere Sicherheitsupdates!
www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/mic...
Ich stimme VZBV zu:
Wir brauchen längere Sicherheitsupdates!
www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/mic...
(S+) Support-Ende von Windows 10: Microsoft stempelt Millionen PCs als schrottreif ab
Rund zehn Millionen Computer werden laut einer Umfrage in Deutschland ausgemustert, weil sich Windows 11 darauf nicht installieren lässt. Verbraucherschützer gehen hart ins Gericht mit Microsoft.
www.spiegel.de
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Der Zwangs-Umstieg auf Windows 11 produziert massiv Elektroschrott, weil ältere Computer die neuen Anforderungen nicht erfüllen und gleichzeitig notwendige Sicherheitsupdates für Windows 10 auslaufen.
Ich stimme VZBV zu:
Wir brauchen längere Sicherheitsupdates!
www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/mic...
Ich stimme VZBV zu:
Wir brauchen längere Sicherheitsupdates!
www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/mic...
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Nicht zu glauben! Cycling Cities hat nach nicht einmal zwei Tagen bereits über 20.000 Aufrufe. Ich bin wirklich überwältigt von der Resonanz. Ganz ganz vielen Dank auch fürs unermüdliche Teilen des Films🙏❤️
Zum Film: youtu.be/R5jQc1jXLAU?...
Zum Film: youtu.be/R5jQc1jXLAU?...
December 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Nicht zu glauben! Cycling Cities hat nach nicht einmal zwei Tagen bereits über 20.000 Aufrufe. Ich bin wirklich überwältigt von der Resonanz. Ganz ganz vielen Dank auch fürs unermüdliche Teilen des Films🙏❤️
Zum Film: youtu.be/R5jQc1jXLAU?...
Zum Film: youtu.be/R5jQc1jXLAU?...
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Fascist foot soldiers now openly targeting the children of their opponents.
BREAKING: Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar says her son was pulled over by immigration agents and asked to prove his citizenship.
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar says her son was pulled over by ICE
Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar said federal immigration agents pulled over her son on Saturday and asked him to prove his citizenship.
cbsn.ws
December 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Fascist foot soldiers now openly targeting the children of their opponents.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) costs have been falling 20% per year on average in the last decade.
Falling battery costs and easy to install, modular batteries are driving a surge in utility-scale storage projects 📈
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/how-cheap-is-battery-storage
Falling battery costs and easy to install, modular batteries are driving a surge in utility-scale storage projects 📈
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/how-cheap-is-battery-storage
December 12, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) costs have been falling 20% per year on average in the last decade.
Falling battery costs and easy to install, modular batteries are driving a surge in utility-scale storage projects 📈
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/how-cheap-is-battery-storage
Falling battery costs and easy to install, modular batteries are driving a surge in utility-scale storage projects 📈
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/how-cheap-is-battery-storage
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Those tree hugging hippies in Hungary now lead the world in the share of electricity generated from solar with almost 25% of their electricity coming from solar in 2024.
A remarkable leap from just 7% five years ago.
A remarkable leap from just 7% five years ago.
December 12, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Those tree hugging hippies in Hungary now lead the world in the share of electricity generated from solar with almost 25% of their electricity coming from solar in 2024.
A remarkable leap from just 7% five years ago.
A remarkable leap from just 7% five years ago.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
Trump’s ambassador to the EU is accidentally—and unwittingly—saying the US economy is losing ground to the EU, even if he doesn’t seem to realise it.
By comparing the wrong GDP metrics, Andrew Puzder is arguing the EU is currently trouncing the US. And it’s all because of Trump!
Let me explain🧵
By comparing the wrong GDP metrics, Andrew Puzder is arguing the EU is currently trouncing the US. And it’s all because of Trump!
Let me explain🧵
December 12, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Trump’s ambassador to the EU is accidentally—and unwittingly—saying the US economy is losing ground to the EU, even if he doesn’t seem to realise it.
By comparing the wrong GDP metrics, Andrew Puzder is arguing the EU is currently trouncing the US. And it’s all because of Trump!
Let me explain🧵
By comparing the wrong GDP metrics, Andrew Puzder is arguing the EU is currently trouncing the US. And it’s all because of Trump!
Let me explain🧵
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.
The 25th anniversary of Bush v Gore is today. The conspiracy mongering & corruption of the GOP has been brewing for a long time.
Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were all on Bush's legal team, where they pushed unfounded legal theories. SC justices were already enmeshed in voter fraud myths.
Roberts, Barrett and Kavanaugh were all on Bush's legal team, where they pushed unfounded legal theories. SC justices were already enmeshed in voter fraud myths.
Here's Sandra Day O'Connor endorsing News Max levels of voter fraud conspiracies in the 2000 election.
December 12, 2025 at 6:53 PM
In terms of US politics, Bush v. Gore is the defining event of the century. It set the template: a ruthless right that instinctively seeks power & doesn't give a shit about rule of law...and a bunch of hapless, feckless octogenarian Dems worried about the good opinion of centrist opinion columnists.
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
NEW | It’s been 25 years since offshore wind first dropped anchor in Britain. The industry has seen some big changes from 2000 to 2025:
2 ➡️ 2,878 turbines
1 ➡️ 47 operational offshore wind farms
0 ➡️ 17% of 🇬🇧 electricity
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/25-years-of-british-offshore-wind
2 ➡️ 2,878 turbines
1 ➡️ 47 operational offshore wind farms
0 ➡️ 17% of 🇬🇧 electricity
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/25-years-of-british-offshore-wind
December 8, 2025 at 4:04 PM
NEW | It’s been 25 years since offshore wind first dropped anchor in Britain. The industry has seen some big changes from 2000 to 2025:
2 ➡️ 2,878 turbines
1 ➡️ 47 operational offshore wind farms
0 ➡️ 17% of 🇬🇧 electricity
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/25-years-of-british-offshore-wind
2 ➡️ 2,878 turbines
1 ➡️ 47 operational offshore wind farms
0 ➡️ 17% of 🇬🇧 electricity
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/25-years-of-british-offshore-wind
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
What happened on energy and climate in China this year?
A summary of the data, mostly drawing on the latest report from Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (by @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social & team).
My latest Substack:
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/chinese-em...
A summary of the data, mostly drawing on the latest report from Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (by @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social & team).
My latest Substack:
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/chinese-em...
What happened on energy and climate in China this year?
Emissions flatlined; clean power pushed out coal; and oil for transport falls again.
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:52 PM
What happened on energy and climate in China this year?
A summary of the data, mostly drawing on the latest report from Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (by @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social & team).
My latest Substack:
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/chinese-em...
A summary of the data, mostly drawing on the latest report from Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (by @laurimyllyvirta.bsky.social & team).
My latest Substack:
www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com/p/chinese-em...
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
🎤 Podcast: Germany’s power plant strategy foresees 12 GW of new back-up #gaspower plants by 2030, with the aim to switch to green hydrogen in the future. Philipp Godron, Agora expert & Programme Lead Power, joined Sam Morgan in his recent episode of "The Jolt". 1/x
December 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
🎤 Podcast: Germany’s power plant strategy foresees 12 GW of new back-up #gaspower plants by 2030, with the aim to switch to green hydrogen in the future. Philipp Godron, Agora expert & Programme Lead Power, joined Sam Morgan in his recent episode of "The Jolt". 1/x
Reposted by Katharina Umpfenbach
SCOTUS conservative justices upholding Texas gerrymander is yet another example of how Roberts court has greenlit the many undemocratic schemes of Trump and his party
They’ve now ruled for Trump and his allies in 90 percent of shadow docket opinions www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
They’ve now ruled for Trump and his allies in 90 percent of shadow docket opinions www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
The Roberts court just helped Trump rig the midterms
The Supreme Court reinstated the Trump-inspired congressional map in Texas.
www.motherjones.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:52 PM
SCOTUS conservative justices upholding Texas gerrymander is yet another example of how Roberts court has greenlit the many undemocratic schemes of Trump and his party
They’ve now ruled for Trump and his allies in 90 percent of shadow docket opinions www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
They’ve now ruled for Trump and his allies in 90 percent of shadow docket opinions www.motherjones.com/politics/202...