EnergyPolicy
The Research Unit Energy Policy analyses energy policy packages and instruments supporting the transition towards a sustainable and energy-efficient energy system based on renewable energy.
The Research Unit Energy Policy focuses on policies supporting the energy transition. It acts as an architect of transformative energy policies and a navigator in political processes. The researchers' expertise focuses on the development and analysis of policy concepts, the analysis and evaluation of policy instruments and packages, particularly in the area of energy efficiency and sufficiency policy, and the analysis of multiple effects. Analyses target the various aspects of technology deployment, economic impacts, culture, and institutional architectures. This not only encompasses transitions in the electricity and heat sector, but increasingly the interconnection with other sectors, such as mobility, industry and urban systems (sector coupling) as well. In order to cover these integrated energy system issues, the Research Unit also cooperates with other Research Units within the Wuppertal Institute as well as with external national and international partners.
Objectives
Climate change and its links to numerous other current challenges require a quick and deep transformation of the world's energy system towards a highly efficient, ecologically, economically, and socially sustainable system based entirely on renewable energy – the energy transition. This transition will happen too slowly because of a range of different barriers, if the necessary ambitious policy framework is not implemented. This requires a consistent policy approach, taking the numerous perspectives and positions of societal actors in the energy policy arena into account.
The Energy Policy Research Unit therefore supports the development, monitoring and evaluation of a consistent energy policy framework designed to reach medium- and long-term energy and climate policy targets at all governance levels. The scientists undertake fundamental research and provide advice to institutions, civil society organisations and businesses, based on scientific evidence and analyses.
Thematic focus
A particular focus of the Research Unit is the analysis of multi-level governance. Therefore, projects address essential governance levels, from local and regional to international arenas. The governance level focused on in analyses is national and EU polities, as these are especially relevant for the regulation of energy policy. The research unit is also active in the context of developing countries and the promotion of bilateral co-operations in energy policy.
Publi-cations
You find all scientific publications on our publication server:
Projects
Here you can find projects of the Research Unit: