Energy policy generates debate at top German engineering fair
Nuclear power and the consequences of the Fukushima leak are central
themes at a key industrial trade fair in Hanover. Possible effects on
energy policy make this year’s theme, energy efficiency, all the more
important.
Nuclear power was the hot topic at the opening of the Hanover
trade fair, Germany's internationally renowned industrial fair, on
Sunday, as the world debates the lessons of the Fukushima nuclear leak.
For the opening of the fair, the world's top showcase for engineering
technology, Chancellor Angela Merkel was joined by French Prime
Minister Francois Fillon.
 Fillon says common standards on nuclear power were neededAnd
speaking at the opening, Fillon called for international consensus on
nuclear safety that would guarantee a future for atomic power, with
France a major player in the field. He said that the Fukushima leak
posed many questions over nuclear power and that the European Union had
to act.
"Our duty is to learn the lesson," Fillon, whose country is the
world's top nuclear energy user, told the delegation adding that any
plants found to be unsafe in France would be closed.
France is the partner nation at this year's fair, and Fillon was to tour the event on Monday and meet French exporters.
Merkel highlights need to inovate
Also speaking at the opening, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said
she was confident that German nuclear reactors were safe. However, she
said, the type of innovations on display were required for progress
beyond the nuclear age. "If we want to reach an era of renewable energy
we must have the courage to rethink and try new things," she said.
Machinery suppliers believe that the future nature of electricity
generation after the Japanese crisis was likely to be a major talking
point during the week.
 Fritsch is pleased that firms were returning to the fair after an absenceWind turbine manufacturers and the makers of geothermal boring equipment will be hoping that demand rises.
And the issue affects other firms, even those that are not directly
involved in nuclear power. The price of electricity is set to rise if
nuclear power loses support. Renewable energy is more expensive to
harness than that provided by nuclear fission - a sobering thought for
many manufacturers.
Efficiency, efficiency, efficiency
It is fitting therefore that the central theme for all 13 subject
categories within the fair is improving efficiency in industrial
production. This also follows after the global downturn, explained fair
spokesman Hartwig von Sass.
"After the crisis, companies are looking for possibilities to improve
efficiency. That can only be done by making links between different
fields of industry," said Sass.
Most important would be innovations that help optimize the way energy
is used - renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate protection.
These themes took something of a back seat during the global economic
crisis.
 Fukushima has cast a cloud over the future of nuclear power globallyNow,
and particularly in light of the Fukushima crisis in Japan, the issue
is again a hot topic. At the fair, nuclear plant operators will
certainly be making their case – just as providers of wind, solar and
biofuels aim to take advantage of the new wave of concern about atomic
energy.
General outlook favorable
More generally, if the Hanover trade fair is to be viewed as a
reliable indicator, the signs for the world economy are good. After the
number of firms with exhibitions at last year's fair went down, the
chairman of the fair, Wolfram von Fritsch, is pleased to note that
interest is returning.
"This year, 400 companies are coming back, of which about half are
from outside Germany," said Fritsch. "It shows that there is optimism on
an international level," he said.
New to the fair will be the exhibition area Metropolitan Solutions,
which concerns itself with life in the great cities of the world and
future challenges faced by their populations.
Authors: Insa Wrede, Richard Connor
Editor: Nicole Goebel
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14964288,00.html
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