Sixteen Percent Renewable Share Accelerating German Energy Storage Segment

BERLIN, November 18, 2010 - Germany's share of renewable energies in the electricity mix
is over 16 percent and rapidly increasing, according to recent estimates. The
growth of the fluctuating energy supply has created demand for innovative
storage technology and has accelerated the development of hydrogen, battery,
and smart grid technology in Germany. Germany Trade & Invest will have
representative on hand to present opportunities in Germany's energy storage
industry at this year's International Renewable Energy Storage conference
from November 22 - 24 in Berlin.

At 14.6 GWp through August, Germany has the world's largest
photovoltaic energy capacity that continues to grow. Germany also accounts
for Europe's largest share of installed wind capacity at over 25 GW through
2009. Building on this foundation, Germany is developing an extensive
framework for R&D and commercialization of energy storage technologies. The
federal government expects renewable energies to account for 35 percent of
Germany's electricity mix by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, which will require
further investments in energy storage technology.

Jürgen Friedrich, Chief Executive of Germany Trade & Invest:
"Germany has established the ideal prerequisites for the rapid development of
the energy storage industry. The unique combination of renewable energy
generation, innovation and implementation through demonstration projects
makes Germany an optimal location for companies looking to enter this budding
industry."

Currently public and private actors are cooperating in the
development of energy storage technologies, especially in batteries, smart
energy management and hydrogen and fuel cells. In hydrogen technology,
Germany has more pilot projects than any other European country. The new
Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, which is slated to open in 2012,
serves as a benchmark project. It will feature an integrated energy storage
concept that includes a fueling station for green hydrogen serving both
stationary and mobile applications.

In the field of smart grids, six model regions in Germany have
been selected as part of a renewable energy technology competition. Each of
these regions is applying an integrated approach that spans the value chain
and covers all energy-relevant industrial and economic activities. These
range from the approach to commercialization all the way down to core
technical research and development. These six regions have access to EUR 140
million from the federal and regional governments for the period 2008-2012.

One focal point of the 6th Energy Research Program of the
German government in 2011 will be energy storage, grid technology, and
integration of renewable energies into the energy supply. One of the first
steps is to develop and implement joint funding initiatives for grids and
energy storage. Applied research in particular will be ramped up, given the
objective of thoroughly modernizing Germany's energy supply in the coming
years. At the same time, the expansion and networking of national research
institutions is expected to increase. Foreign investors spanning the value
chain can benefit from joint R&D efforts with international and national
partners and thereby actively take part in innovation and gain important
first-mover expertise.

Germany Trade & Invest is the foreign trade and inward
investment promotion agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. The
organization advises foreign companies looking to expand their business
activities in the German market. It provides information on foreign trade to
German companies that seek to enter foreign markets.

    Contact:
    Germany Trade & Invest
    Robert Scheid
    Email: robert.scheid@gtai.com
    T: +49(0)30-200099-170
    F: +49(0)30-200099-111

Contact: Germany Trade & Invest, Robert Scheid, Email: robert.scheid at gtai.com, T: +49(0)30-200099-170, F: +49(0)30-200099-111