When looking at the 20 categories with the strongest growth between the second quarter of 2021 and 2022, products for the energy transition dominate on the B2B platform "Wer liefert was" (now: wlw). Photovoltaic systems recorded the largest increase in this segment (305% increase in page views compared to the previous year), followed by solar modules (up 287%) and geothermal probe drilling (up 252%). A total of eleven places in the top 20 with the strongest growth are occupied by products for overcoming the current energy crisis.
SMEs are one step ahead of politicians and have been preparing for an impending gas embargo since the start of the second quarter. According to Claudia Kemfert from the German Institute for Economic Research, industry has already reduced its own gas consumption by 10%. Companies are using many different approaches to switch to renewable energies. In the top 20 most popular categories on wlw, geothermal probe drilling is again in 5th place. Even an energy source that seems almost archaic in this context, such as firewood, makes it to 8th place, with a 207% increase in page views. The growth categories also include wood pellets (244% increase), wood briquettes (241% increase) and small wind turbines (241% increase). Heat pumps also recorded an increase of 179 %.
However, despite all efforts, there is still a long way to go before the economy and society are fully converted to sustainability. Another look at the categories with the greatest growth in the second quarter of 2022 shows just how great the dependence on fossil fuels remains: diesel fuels are in first place and heating oil in 18th place. The fossil age will therefore continue for a while yet, even if the shift towards renewable energies has now finally begun.
