Are blackout worries justified? How stable is the German power grid this winter?
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At the end of the year, people often wish each other a “contemplative celebration” or “quiet days”. In view of the past year, however, this is not so easy. 2022 was the year of Russia’s brutal attack on Ukraine – a war that is causing great human suffering and with no end in sight. At the same time, the war in Ukraine caused uncertainty on the world markets. Companies that were considered “safe banks” have gotten into trouble, the real estate market has turned around massively, the inflation rate is currently ten percent.
What can you count on in these difficult times? On the fact that we, the Handelsblatt editorial team, will continue to monitor, analyze and comment on the current economic and political developments for you 24 hours a day. We have put together some of our best reading pieces from 2022 for you – and asked our editor-in-chief for their personal recommendations.
Editor-in-Chief Sebastian Matthes:
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The future of Europe’s energy supply has always been one of the most important topics in the Handelsblatt. For years, our energy team has been examining the great ambitions and sometimes even greater misconceptions of energy policy, analyzing the most important technological developments in the industry and placing all of this in an international context. This year we have once again significantly expanded the team. More than half a dozen experts in Germany and around the world are dealing with the vital question of the European economy: What will tomorrow’s energy supply look like?
The team recently analyzed how high the probability of a blackout really is in Germany this winter and reported on how the world’s largest energy storage facility is being built in Baden-Württemberg. These are fascinating innovations that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, as is the nuclear fusion breakthrough in December 2022, which is comparable to “taming fire 700,000 years ago,” as the CEO of nuclear fusion startup Marvel Fusion put it , Moritz von der Linden, recently told me in my podcast “Disrupt”. Such ideas have fascinated me for a long time, they were one of my topics when I had my first permanent job as a reporter 15 years ago.
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At the same time, this year we have also taken a look at many questions that affect your everyday life, dear readers. For example, what costs arise with the alternatives to gas heating, with heat pumps, district heating and pellet stoves and what should be considered with the alternatives to oil and gas heating.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Ludowig:
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The shortage of skilled workers in Germany and the disruptive changes in the world of work in recent years affect us all. As the boss, but also as the moderator of the new work podcast “Handelsblatt Rethink Work”, I follow the reporting on career topics with particular attention.
However, I am particularly happy about those stories that not only tell of the difficulties, but also look ahead. The texts about the 50 top female entrepreneurs in Germany and the 30 potential CEOs of tomorrow were two such stories for me.
Deputy Editor-in-Chief Peter Brors:
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Mandatory reading for all friends of true crime novels: In this story, my colleagues from the investigative department have traced the trail of money left by the ex-Wirecard CFO Jan Marsalek, who has been on the run to this day, with his loot. The creditors of the insolvent former Dax group near Munich are waiting for around three billion euros. At least a tenth of this sum is believed to be with Marsalek. It’s money said to come from a bogus deal in India. Our reporters have researched in great detail how this deal went.
By the way, I recommend our podcast Handelsblatt Crime to those who still can’t get enough of business crime after reading it. There, Ina Karabasz discusses current cases with the investigative team every two weeks.
Head of Digital Charlotte Haunhorst:
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I confess: I like first-person stories – insofar as they provide the balance between personal insights and journalistic added value. The story “How I sold my first NFT and just barely became a millionaire” by our Italian correspondent Christian Wermke is such a story for me.
In it, the author describes how he is trying to familiarize himself with the world of blockchain, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and cryptocurrencies – and at the same time talks about the unpredictability of digital trends with great ease. In the weeks after its history, many NFTs and cryptocurrencies lost massively in value, the crypto exchange FTX collapsed completely. At the Handelsblatt, we will of course continue to cover the topic for you in 2023.
The complete collection:
Wolfgang Schäuble: “Germany’s reputation is badly damaged”
The CDU politician has been a member of the Bundestag for 50 years. He has never felt the world situation to be as threatening as it is today. Schäuble also has an opinion on Merkel’s balance sheet.
>> Read here now
How Asia board member Jan Marsalek made 315 million euros disappear
In autumn 2015, Wirecard closed a deal worth 315 million euros with a man named Rahul Sharma. The Handelsblatt reveals: it never existed.
>> Read here now
Which heater is the best alternative?
High energy prices are pushing to convert the gas heating. How much do the alternatives heat pump, district heating and pellet heating cost in the long term in comparison? An overview.
>> Read here now
How I sold my first NFT – and just barely became a millionaire
Pixelated images of birds or monkeys have made people rich. Creating an NFT – how does it actually work? A self-experiment in five acts.
>> Read here now
These 10 tips will help you keep track of the property tax chaos
Confusion is guaranteed when it comes to property tax: there are numerous exceptions to be considered. These ten points provide you with orientation for the property tax return.
>> Read here now
This is how much managing directors of a GmbH earn
A study lists the pay of GmbH bosses in detail according to 60 industries. The salary ranges are wide – and women are underrepresented in management floors.
>> Read here now
These 30 top talents could change the German economy
These young top managers have the potential to lead Germany’s economy into the future. You rely on digitization, sustainability, innovation – and your team.
>> Read here now
Inheriting deposits worth millions tax-free thanks to a legal trick
Usufruct deposits are hardly known. They can help to inherit even multi-million dollar deposits tax-free. What is behind the legal tax trick.
>> Read here now
Which branches are now threatened with the end
The branch network of Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof is to be significantly reduced in the insolvency proceedings. The closure of some of the 131 locations has already been decided.
>> Read here now
Those answers will disqualify you for the job
Overconfidence, lack of motivation: The first impression in the interview is often the last one. Answers that lead to a rejection after an application.
>> Read here now
These are the 50 top female entrepreneurs in Germany
The proportion of women in management positions in German start-ups is low. That should change. The Handelsblatt presents 50 successful female entrepreneurs who serve as role models.
>> Read here now
What mistakes you should avoid now when financing construction
Construction money is the most expensive in ten years and some rules for loans no longer apply. If you finance now, you can do a lot wrong.
>> Read here now
Germany’s regions with the greatest future potential
Metropolises like Munich fall behind in the 2022 ranking of all 400 cities and districts. Instead, four factors offer good future prospects in rural regions.
>> Read here now
What can really happen in a blackout
Cities prepare for up to 72-hour outages. A visit to Europe’s power grid center shows that a blackout is unlikely, but caution is advised. what can really happen.
>> Read here now
Six reasons why the recruiter doesn’t call
The HR consultants have clear quality criteria. But not every candidate meets the requirements. Who ends up on the headhunter blacklist when looking for a job – and why.
>> Read here now
Investment strategies: According to stock market psychologists, investors make these ten mistakes
Especially in turbulent stock market times, investors often rely on the wrong strategy. Behavioral finance offers explanations and solutions.
>> Read here now
How global corporations like Microsoft, Apple and Co. siphon off wealth
Great powers stake out their influence with huge cartels – in this way they stifle competition and win in every crisis. European consumers foot the bill.
>> Read here now
This is the best way to answer the question about your previous salary
During an interview, recruiters often ask about previous earnings. And then? Tell the truth or stretch the truth? What experts say applicants should do.
>> Read here now
The world’s largest battery storage facility is being built in southern Germany
Mega storage systems for electricity are still the exception, but are urgently needed for grid stability due to the energy transition. Consumers should also benefit.
>> Read here now
What should you consider with the alternatives to oil heating and gas heating?
Anyone who wants to replace their gas heating or oil heating is faced with a difficult decision. Is there haste? And can owners hope for promotion when exchanging? That’s what the experts say.
>> Read here now
This will reduce your gift tax burden
In most cases, those affected have to pay higher taxes for gifts and inheritances. But there is a trick to minimizing the burden on real estate.
>> Read here now