As Germany's most important, domestic fossil energy carrier, lignite plays a crucial role in electricity and heat production. Even though its share of the overall power production is decreasing due to a rising feed‐in from renewable energy sources, fossil energy carriers will go on providing base load and back‐up electricity in times when renewable energies are not able to produce enough electricity. Lignite and byproducts, which are gained during the conversion and exploitation of lignite, can be used for material utilization. The production of hydrocarbons or extraction of important raw materials are examples. It is expected, that this field of application will gain relevance in the future.

中文翻译：

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Rhenish褐煤–历代以来的能量载体和多种原材料

作为德国最重要的国内化石能源载体，褐煤在电力和热力生产中起着至关重要的作用。尽管由于可再生能源的增加，其在总发电量中的份额正在下降，但在可再生能源无法产生足够电力的时候，化石能源载体将继续提供基本负荷和备用电力。在褐煤转化和开采过程中获得的褐煤和副产物可用于材料利用。烃的生产或重要原料的提取是实例。可以预期，该应用领域将在未来获得相关性。