News Release from windfair.net
Wind Industry Profile of
07/14/2011
Interview with Karsten Schäfer, Editor in Chief, ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN, RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL in The Windfair Newsletter
Karsten Schäfer: In both formats, we increased quality. The journalistic articles are far more analytical now and nonetheless easier to read – more like a magazine should be. The expert articles go into far greater depth but also take readers by the hand earlier on so that interested laypeople also have a chance of understanding the articles. Those are the main changes in terms of content. Visually, we have a new, modern cover that frames the title topic much better, and the layout inside was cautiously changed to present the content much more clearly and provide a better overview. We also have new sections, such as Politics & Economics, Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal, and Product Innovations for all energy types.
Above all, we tailored ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN to our target group: Investors and developers. At the same time, the magazine is now much more technical, which is good because technology is decisive in the success or failure of renewable energy projects. Last September, we also completely relaunched our website erneuerbareenergien.de and started offering a free newsletter. This year, we added a premium newsletter and a twitter feed.
Windfair: Along with ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN you quite recently started to publish an English magazine, RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL. When exactly was it launched, and in what circulation?
Karsten Schäfer: The first issue of RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL was published in March so it could be presented at Windpower 2011 in Anaheim, California. This year, there will be a second issue, on the basis of which we will decide how to proceed in 2012. The first issue had a circulation of 10,000. An additional 4,000 copies were sent out as e-paper. The e-paper is expected to grow considerably in particular. Until the next issue is published, our readers can keep up with us at renewablesinternational.net.
Windfair: Where is the focus of RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL?
Karsten Schäfer: RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL follows the same concept and has the same target groups as ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN, and it covers the core markets of North America, Asia, and Europe. The international focus is on the three major types of renewables: Wind power, solar power (especially photovoltaics), and bioenergy.
Windfair: In which countries is RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL available?
Karsten Schäfer: The magazine is available worldwide. It will not, however, be found on newsstands. But subscribers can receive the magazine worldwide either in print or on e-paper. However they like it.
Windfair: What is the ratio of wind energy content in your magazines?
Karsten Schäfer: More than 20 years ago, ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN started off as a magazine for wind power, and the wind energy section remains the most important, largest section of the magazine that generates the greatest revenue. About a year ago, however, we greatly expanded our coverage of solar energy, and the seeds have now taken root, with far more ads from the solar sector and very positive reader feedback. Next, we will strengthen our coverage of bioenergy, especially biogas and wood/pellet heating systems. But wind power will remain our most important energy source for the foreseeable future, both in the magazine and on the grid.
Windfair: What challenges do you see for your magazines in the near future?
Karsten Schäfer: Magazines reflect the industry in a way. And the competition within the industry is getting fiercer, as everyone knows. We even now have a situation where the wind sector and the photovoltaic sector are criticizing each other, which I think is a deplorable situation. Likewise, competition among the magazines will also increase. On both markets – the magazine market and the market for renewable energy systems – an increasing number of providers are vying over a limited number of buyers. System manufacturers compete for orders even as feed-in tariffs are cut, and magazine publishers compete for readers and advertisers on consolidating renewable energy markets. As a publisher, you can only be successful under such conditions when you provide your target group with exactly the information they need in the right channels. Getting all that right is the great challenge.
Above all, we tailored ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN to our target group: Investors and developers. At the same time, the magazine is now much more technical, which is good because technology is decisive in the success or failure of renewable energy projects. Last September, we also completely relaunched our website erneuerbareenergien.de and started offering a free newsletter. This year, we added a premium newsletter and a twitter feed.
Windfair: Along with ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN you quite recently started to publish an English magazine, RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL. When exactly was it launched, and in what circulation?
Karsten Schäfer: The first issue of RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL was published in March so it could be presented at Windpower 2011 in Anaheim, California. This year, there will be a second issue, on the basis of which we will decide how to proceed in 2012. The first issue had a circulation of 10,000. An additional 4,000 copies were sent out as e-paper. The e-paper is expected to grow considerably in particular. Until the next issue is published, our readers can keep up with us at renewablesinternational.net.
Windfair: Where is the focus of RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL?
Karsten Schäfer: RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL follows the same concept and has the same target groups as ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN, and it covers the core markets of North America, Asia, and Europe. The international focus is on the three major types of renewables: Wind power, solar power (especially photovoltaics), and bioenergy.
Windfair: In which countries is RENEWABLES INTERNATIONAL available?
Karsten Schäfer: The magazine is available worldwide. It will not, however, be found on newsstands. But subscribers can receive the magazine worldwide either in print or on e-paper. However they like it.
Windfair: What is the ratio of wind energy content in your magazines?
Karsten Schäfer: More than 20 years ago, ERNEUERBARE ENERGIEN started off as a magazine for wind power, and the wind energy section remains the most important, largest section of the magazine that generates the greatest revenue. About a year ago, however, we greatly expanded our coverage of solar energy, and the seeds have now taken root, with far more ads from the solar sector and very positive reader feedback. Next, we will strengthen our coverage of bioenergy, especially biogas and wood/pellet heating systems. But wind power will remain our most important energy source for the foreseeable future, both in the magazine and on the grid.
Windfair: What challenges do you see for your magazines in the near future?
Karsten Schäfer: Magazines reflect the industry in a way. And the competition within the industry is getting fiercer, as everyone knows. We even now have a situation where the wind sector and the photovoltaic sector are criticizing each other, which I think is a deplorable situation. Likewise, competition among the magazines will also increase. On both markets – the magazine market and the market for renewable energy systems – an increasing number of providers are vying over a limited number of buyers. System manufacturers compete for orders even as feed-in tariffs are cut, and magazine publishers compete for readers and advertisers on consolidating renewable energy markets. As a publisher, you can only be successful under such conditions when you provide your target group with exactly the information they need in the right channels. Getting all that right is the great challenge.
- Source:
- Windfair.net
- Author:
- Windfair editorial team
- Email:
- press@windfair.net
- Link:
- www.windfair.net/...
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