Energy

Energy

The climate crisis threatens the very foundation of modern society. To avert it, the global economy needs to fully decarbonize within a generation. In this formidable challenge, energy consumption takes center stage as power plants, vehicles, and buildings generate the majority of EU emissions. Mature low-carbon technologies and practices exist, but they require new regulation and incentives to be scaled up successfully. Ecologic Institute's research focuses on building a framework for energy sector decarbonization.

Using its skills in legal, economic, and indicator-based analysis, the energy team assesses and designs effective energy policies at all government levels. To this end, we regularly debate solutions with relevant practitioners and stakeholders. A central research area is EU energy regulation and its interaction with the German energy transition.

The team's expertise includes renewable energy and efficiency, electricity market design, the coal exit, and sector coupling, i.e. at the interface between power, transport, and heating. Our legal work focuses on EU energy law and its transposition into national law and the legal challenges arising from digitalization.

Capacity building and education on the energy transition is another cornerstone of our work. Only with a wider understanding of the need for change and its implications for each single household will countries succeed in transforming their energy sectors.

In interdisciplinary projects, the energy team also studies nexus issues, including on questions related the resource needs of the energy transition or interlinkages between energy measures and needs to adapt to climate change.

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Environmental Law – Ecologic Legal

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Felix Dengler
Fellow
Data Protection Officer

Climate

Energy

Governance

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Nick Evans
Fellow
Transatlantic Coordinator

Energy

Climate

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EU

Governance

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Raffaele Piria
Senior Fellow

Environmental Law – Ecologic Legal

Energy

Climate

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Dr. Stephan Sina
Senior Fellow
Coordinating In-house Counsel

Climate

Energy

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Evaluation

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Eike Karola Velten
Coordinator Energy
Senior Fellow
Selected Projects for Energy
ProjectEvidence-based Assessment for the Design of the German Energy Transition (Ariadne)
 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels

Germany is to become climate-neutral by 2050. Achieving the climate targets will require extensive changes that will have an impact on large parts of the economy and social life. Concrete climate measures in energy generation, transport, industry and other sectors are... Read more

Evidence-based Assessment for the Design of the German Energy Transition (Ariadne)

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectImpact Assessment of the Governance Regulation Revision
 

Image by Tom from Pixabay

The European Union is entering a new phase of climate and energy policymaking. As ambition increases for 2040 and 2050, the EU’s climate governance framework must evolve accordingly. This project supports the European Commission in carrying out a comprehensive impact... Read more

Impact Assessment of the Governance Regulation Revision

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectAssessment of the European Commission's Assumptions about Industrial Removals for the 2040 Target
 

Foto von Anton Pavlov auf Unsplash

On 6 February 2024, the European Commission published its communication on the EU's 2040 climate target, proposing a 90% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. The accompanying Impact Assessment (IA) outlines possible pathways, emphasizing... Read more

Assessment of the European Commission's Assumptions about Industrial Removals for the 2040 Target

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectEU Policies to Reduce CH4 and H2 Emissions from the Energy Sector
 

W.carter, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

This project, funded by the Environmental Defense Fund Europe, identifies and develops EU policy opportunities to mitigate methane (CH4) and hydrogen (H2) emissions from the energy sector. Methane is a highly impacting greenhouse gas, second only to CO2. CH4... Read more

EU Policies to Reduce CH4 and H2 Emissions from the Energy Sector

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectAnalysis of the Implementation of EU Provisions for the Clean Energy Transition in Selected Member States
 

© Canva 2024

The "Clean Energy for All Europeans" package introduced provisions on a more flexible and market-based price competition by Directive (EU) 2019/944 on common rules for the internal market for electricity (DIR) and Regulation (EU) 2019/943 on the internal market for... Read more

Analysis of the Implementation of EU Provisions for the Clean Energy Transition in Selected Member States

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectAssessing Policy Evaluations in the Context of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)
 

© Laurens Duin

The aim of this project is to assess – for a selection of EU Member States – the impacts of policies and measures (PaMs) as described in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). To this end, the project team identifies specific policy instruments and related ex... Read more

Assessing Policy Evaluations in the Context of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectElectricityNeighbours – Can tenants in Berlin's apartment buildings become prosumers through solar power projects and sector coupling?
 

Photo by Istvan Hernek on Unsplash

Photovoltaic technology is a key lever for decarbonising Berlin's power consumption and for social participation in the transformation process, especially for tenants. Therefore, solar energy and projects on rental apartment blocks are key elements of the Berlin Senate... Read more

ElectricityNeighbours – Can tenants in Berlin's apartment buildings become prosumers through solar power projects and sector coupling?

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectSustainable Marketing and Promotion of Renewable Energies in Germany
 

© DeVIce-web | Fotolia.com

By 2030, 80% of the electricity generated in Germany is to come from renewable sources. For this to succeed, electricity market regulations must be further developed. On behalf of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Environment, Ecologic Institute analyzes various... Read more

Sustainable Marketing and Promotion of Renewable Energies in Germany

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectExploring the Socio-economic Impact of Energy Transition in EU Regions
 

Foto von Tim Pollmer von Pexels

Regions play a central role in achieving the substantial acceleration of renewable energy deployment required to reach the 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets. This project examined the socio-economic effects of renewable energy deployment at the regional level in the... Read more

Exploring the Socio-economic Impact of Energy Transition in EU Regions

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectEvent Series on the European Energy Transition
 

Photo by Mariana Proença on Unsplash

In this project, Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) and Ecologic Institute organised a series of 10 online briefing events (webinars) to inform journalists about the key elements and topics of European energy and climate policy. In total, more than 130 journalists from 30... Read more

Event Series on the European Energy Transition

Duration
-
Funding
ProjectPhasing Out Coal in Germany and Chile: A Comparative Analysis
 

© Dan Images | Fotolia.com

Around the world, an increasing number of countries have decided to phase out coal, both to achieve their climate targets, but also to modernise their electricity sector in the transition from fossil to renewable energy supply. This includes Germany, which long had one... Read more

Phasing Out Coal in Germany and Chile: A Comparative Analysis

Duration
-
Funding
All projects on Energy
Selected Publications for Energy
PublicationPolicy BriefEurope's Selective Blindness on Gas: US LNG and the Limits of Supply Diversification
 
Double chat showing the EU LNG imports from non-EEA countries from 2019 to 2025, in bcm and as share

EU LNG import from non EEA countries in bcm and as %

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© Clingendael, 2026

Based on a novel analysis covering the entire European Economic Area (EEA, notably including Norway), this policy brief shows that US gas imports into the EEA sharply surged in 2025. They now account for almost 40% of total EEA gas imports and nearly 60% of LNG imports.... Read more

Raffaele Piria, Kacper Szulecki, Hannah Lentschig and Louise van Schaik: Europe’s Selective Blindness on Gas: US LNG and the Limits of Supply Diversification. Clingendael, Ecologic Institute, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, The Hague/Berlin/Oslo, 2026.

PublicationReportPenalty Regimes for Violations of the EU Methane Regulation in Selected EU Member States
 
Photo: Canva.com, Cover: Ecologic Institute, 2025
After giving a concise overview of the penalty provisions in the EU Methane Regulation (EU-MER), this paper counters the scaremongering narrative promoted by fossil energy groups that the EU-MER creates "unmanageable liability" for EU fossil-fuel importers through fines... Read more

Piria, Raffaele: Penalty regimes for violations of the EU Methane Regulation across EU Member States. Ecologic Institute, 2025, Berlin.

PublicationPolicy BriefEurope's Energy Security on the Path to Climate Neutrality
 

Photo: Canva.com, cover page: Agora Energiewende, Agora Industry, Ecologic Institute, 2025

The EU must rethink its energy security in light of increasingly renewable, decentralized, and electrified energy systems. Energy security already benefiting from the early start of the energy transition. In the transition phase now beginning, a forward-looking and... Read more

Agora Energiewende and Ecologic Institute (2025): Europe’s energy security on the path to climate neutrality: Devising a resilience strategy for the mid-transition

PublicationReportState of EU Progress to Climate Neutrality
 
Cover page of the "2025 Flagship Report: State of EU progress to climate neutrality" by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO). The image shows a panoramic view of a green urban park with various climate-related icons overlayed, and a city skyline in the background. The title highlights the report’s focus on indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate-neutral future. Dated September 2025.

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

The EU is making promising progress on the road to climate neutrality but needs to keep up the pace to achieve the goal. This is the result of the third progress report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO), which has analysed developments in over 150... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola et al. 2025: 2025 Flagship Report: State of EU progress to climate neutrality. An indicator-based assessment across 13 building blocks for a climate neutral future. European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO).

PublicationReportRenewables, Electrification and Flexibility – for a competitive EU energy system transformation by 2030
 
Cover of the EEA report "Renewables, electrification and flexibility for a competitive EU energy system transformation by 2030"
© European Environment Agency, 2025
The European Union has committed to becoming climate-neutral by 2050. On the way to climate neutrality, however, it must first meet its interim 2030 target, which requires a profound transformation and decarbonisation of the energy system – comprising the electricity,... Read more

European Environment Agency, Renewables, electrification and flexibility for a competitive EU energy system transformation by 2030, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2800/4558900

PublicationBookSustainable Development in the European Union – 2025
 
Cover of the report titled 'Sustainable development in the European Union: Monitoring report on progress towards the SDGs in an EU context, 2025 edition' by Eurostat. The design features shades of blue with a colorful tree graphic in the lower half.

© European Union 2025

Eurostat's "Sustainable Development in the European Union: Monitoring Report on Progress towards the SDGs in an EU Context" (2025 edition) offers the ninth comprehensive assessment of the EU's journey toward the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Researchers from... Read more

Hijman, Remko et al. (ed.) 2025: Sustainable Development in the European Union. Monitoring Report on Progress Towards the SDGs in an EU Context. [eurostat Statistical books 2025 edition]. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

PublicationReportIndustrial Removals' Resource Use in the 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment
 
Cover page of a report titled "Industrial Removals’ Resource Use in the 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment." The report is authored by Eike Karola Velten, Charlotte Felthöfer, and Benedikt Decker, with a review by Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf. It is labeled as the "Final report" and dated February 2025. The logos of "Ecologic Institute" and the "European Climate Foundation" appear at the top.

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

This report, funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), examines the assumptions for industrial carbon removals in the European Commission's 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment. It focuses on the deployment of industrial carbon removal technologies and their... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola; Decker, Benedikt; Felthöfer, Charlotte; Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils (2025): Industrial removals' resource use in the 2040 climate target impact assessment – An analysis of biomass, electricity, and water needs for Bioenergy and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS and DACCS) in the EU Commission's Impact Assessment of the 2040 target. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportStaying the Course in Turbulent Times
 

© Ariadne project, 2025

With the Fit for 55 package, the EU has raised the ambition of its energy and climate targets for 2030: at least –55 % GHG emissions, at least 42.5 % renewables, and improved energy efficiency. To reach these targets, the EU has amended its regulatory framework – making... Read more

Michael Pahle, Ulrich Fahl, Benjamin Görlach, Ronja Busch, Simon Feindt, Nikolas Messerschmidt, Jana Nysten, Sebastian Osorio, Darius Sultani et al. (2025): Staying the course in turbulent times: Insights on the current state and ways forward for the EU's climate, energy and finance policy architecture. Kopernikus-Projekt Ariadne, Potsdam. DOI: 10.48485/pik.2025.008

PublicationReportAusarbeitung eines Kapazitätsmechanismus für den deutschen Strommarkt
 
Cover of the study “Development of a capacity mechanism for the German electricity market”. The picture shows wind turbines and solar panels in the foreground and an electricity pylon in the background. The text at the bottom of the cover indicates that the study was commissioned by Amprion GmbH, TenneT TSO GmbH, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH and TransnetBW GmbH and was published in May 2024.

© consentec and Ecologic Institute 2024

The final report of the study by Consentec and Ecologic Institute deals with the development of a capacity mechanism for the German electricity market. The need for a capacity mechanism is discussed against the background of the increasing share of renewable energies... Read more

Consentec GmbH and Ecologic Institut (2024): Ausarbeitung eines Kapazitätsmechanismus für den deutschen Strommarkt. Aachen and Berlin: Consentec GmbH and Ecologic Institut.

PublicationReportAnalysis of the Implementation of EU Provisions for the Clean Energy Transition in Selected Member States
 
Cover of Ecologic institute's report "Analysis of the implementation of EU provisions for the clean energy transition in selected Member States"

© Ecologic Institute 2024

Since 2019 the European Union has introduced a range of new laws as part of its "Clean Energy for All Europeans" package. In 2022, the RePower EU Plan was launched with the aim of accelerating the deployment of renewable energy in response to the Russian invasion of... Read more

Sina, Stephan et al. 2024: Analysis of the implementation of EU provisions for the clean energy transition in selected Member States. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportIndustrial Removals' Resource Use in the 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment
 
Cover page of a report titled "Industrial Removals’ Resource Use in the 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment." The report is authored by Eike Karola Velten, Charlotte Felthöfer, and Benedikt Decker, with a review by Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf. It is labeled as the "Final report" and dated February 2025. The logos of "Ecologic Institute" and the "European Climate Foundation" appear at the top.

© Ecologic Institute, 2025

This report, funded by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), examines the assumptions for industrial carbon removals in the European Commission's 2040 Climate Target Impact Assessment. It focuses on the deployment of industrial carbon removal technologies and their... Read more

Velten, Eike Karola; Decker, Benedikt; Felthöfer, Charlotte; Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils (2025): Industrial removals' resource use in the 2040 climate target impact assessment – An analysis of biomass, electricity, and water needs for Bioenergy and Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS and DACCS) in the EU Commission's Impact Assessment of the 2040 target. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportPathways Towards a Global Market for Green and Sustainable Hydrogen
 
Cover of the report

© Ecologic Institute

To achieve international climate goals, a green hydrogen market must emerge over the coming decades. Green hydrogen will be a key component in the transition to climate neutrality, especially in sectors where direct electrification using renewable energy is not feasible... Read more

Görlach, Benjamin, Michael Jakob and Ramiro de la Vega (2022): Pathways Towards a Global Market for Green and Sustainable Hydrogen. Need for Action and Policy Options. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationReportEvaluation "Masterplan 100% Klimaschutz" der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative
 
Cover of the publication 2Evaluation "Masterplan 100% Klimaschutz" der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative2

© Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK)

The current evaluation of the Masterplan Municipality Guideline for the 2016 to 2019 funding period is now available. Within this funding period, 13.5 million euros were given to 22 municipalities to finance and implement master plans that would lead the municipalities... Read more

Eisenmann, Lothar, Muckenfuss, Lisa, Knoblauch, Doris, Nütz, Felix 2023: Evaluation 2020/2021 der Masterplan-Kommunen 2016, Förderrichtlinie „Masterplan 100 % Klimaschutz“. Bericht zum Vorhaben Evaluation, Begleitung und Anpassung bestehender Förderprogramme sowie Weiterentwicklung der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI). Oeko-Institut: Berlin.

PublicationReportEvaluation 2020/2021 der NKI-Förderrichtlinie "Kommunale Energieeffizienz- und/oder Ressourceneffizienz-Netzwerke"
 
Cover for an evaluation report titled 'Evaluation 2020/2021 der Förderrichtlinie "Kommunale Energieeffizienz- und/oder Ressourceneffizienz-Netzwerke" im Rahmen der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI)'. It features logos from various German research and environmental institutes.

© Ecologic Institute, ifeu

The evaluation of the municipal networks for the period 2018 to 2021 is now published and available for download. 28 projects were funded with Euro 5.66 million, and municipalities contributed almost Euro 3.8 Mio. own revenue for the networking activities. Over the... Read more

Knoblauch, Doris, Noebel, Rebecca, Safaricz, Nizara, Paar, Angelika, Hecker, Clemens 2023: Evaluation 2020/2021 der Förderrichtlinie „Kommunale Energieeffizienz- und/oder Ressourceneffizienz-Netzwerke“ im Rahmen der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI). Bericht zum Vorhaben Evaluation, Begleitung und Anpassung bestehender Förderprogramme sowie Weiterentwicklung der Nationalen Klimaschutzinitiative (NKI). Ecologic Institute: Berlin. IFEU: Berlin.

PublicationCase StudyGermany's Delayed Electricity Smart Meter Rollout and its Implications on Innovation, Infrastructure, Integration, and Social Acceptance
 
Cover of the report titled 'National case study report #4'. At the top, a modern logo consisting of intertwined loops in multiple colors, representing the brand '4i TRACTION', which stands for innovation, investment, infrastructure, and integration. Below the logo, in a clear, bold font, introduce the main title 'Germany’s delayed electricity smart meter rollout and its implications on innovation, infrastructure, integration, and social acceptance'. Add a subtitle 'An ex-post analysis' in a smaller font.

© Ecologic Institute

To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the EU must digitalize its energy systems and facilitate the electrification of its economies. Smart energy grids combine energy production, storage and consumption and play a key role in this path. Within this electricity network,... Read more

Faber, R., Dück L.M., Reichwein, D. (2023): Germany’s delayed electricity smart meter rollout and its implications on innovation, infrastructure, integration, and social acceptance. An ex-post analysis.  National Case Study of the 4i-TRACTION Deliverable D2.6. Ecologic Institute. Berlin

All publications on Energy
Selected Events for Energy
EventDigital EventReality Checking the Clean Industrial Deal
 

© European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO), 2026

On 24 March 2026, the European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO) will present its new Clean Industrial Transition Monitor and discuss whether current EU policy creates the enabling conditions needed for a successful industrial transformation.Europe’s industry is... Read more

Digital Event:Reality Checking the Clean Industrial Deal

Date
Location
online
EventDigital EventTracking the Transition to a Clean, Competitive and Fair EU Future
 

©Ecologic Institute

The European Union in 2025 is faced with multiple challenges regarding its political and economic place in the world. In response, the EU is implementing a Clean Industrial Deal based on the further pursuit of the EU’s climate neutrality goal. EU institutions seem... Read more

Digital Event:Tracking the Transition to a Clean, Competitive and Fair EU Future

Date
Location
online
EventConferenceStaying the Course in Turbulent Times
 
Image with the title of the event

(c)Ecologic Institute

From Monday 9 to Wednesday 11 December 2024, the Ariadne project will host a three-day event consisting of a series of workshops and discussion events. We look forward to seeing you there, and invite you to block these days in your agenda – and join us from 9-11... Read more

Conference:Staying the Course in Turbulent Times

Date
-
Location
Brussels, Belgium
EventDigital EventInnovative Energy Systems and Economic Growth: Realizing Regional Value in Climate Protection
 
Share Pic webinar #4

Ready4NetZero project

This webinar, presented as part of the Ready4NetZero project, offered a deep dive into the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis's journey to becoming a benchmark district when it comes to climate protection and energy innovation at the local level. It examined the district's effective... Read more

Digital Event:Innovative Energy Systems and Economic Growth: Realizing Regional Value in Climate Protection

Date
Location
online
EventConferenceShaping EU Climate and Energy Policy
 
Social media card of the event with event title, date and place

© Ariadne project

In a three-day series of events in Brussels from 5 to 7 December 2023, partners from the Kopernikus project Ariadne presented important findings from their work that are relevant for the further development of EU climate and energy policy. They discussed these with... Read more

Conference:Shaping EU Climate and Energy Policy

Date
-
Location
Brussels, Belgium
EventDigital EventEurope's Energy Transition – Rolling out renewables and infrastructure
 

© Ecologic Institute

Utility-scale solar photovoltaics and onshore wind are now the cheapest sources of new power in most countries, and according to a 2022 report by the International Energy Agency, renewables will account for over 90% of global electricity expansion over the next five... Read more

Digital Event:Europe's Energy Transition – Rolling out renewables and infrastructure

Date
Location
online
EventDigital EventModels for the Generation and Use of PV Electricity for Multi-party Buildings
 

Image by VoltaroEnergy from Pixabay

What models currently exist to promote photovoltaic systems on multi-unit buildings, and how can the regulatory framework be improved to further accelerate expansion? On 25 April 2023, a three-hour expert workshop in a hybrid format was held as part of the project ... Read more

Digital Event:Models for the Generation and Use of PV Electricity for Multi-party Buildings

Date
Location
Berlin, Germany
EventVisitors ProgramHow is the EU Balancing Climate Action and the Energy Crisis?
 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Following Russia's attack on Ukraine, the EU faces significant challenges in its efforts to address rising energy prices and its attempt to substitute large fossil energy deliveries from Russia. As the bloc has embarked on the path to climate neutrality by 2050 with its... Read more

Visitors Program:How is the EU Balancing Climate Action and the Energy Crisis?

Date
-
Location
Brussels, Belgium
EventConferenceShaping EU Climate and Energy Policy: Insights from and for the Ariadne Project
 

Discussion on Modelling EU ETS Prices to 2030 and beyond

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© Benjamin Görlach

With the Fit-for-55 package about to be put into law, and the RePowerEU plan adopted in response to the energy crisis, EU climate and energy is undergoing the most profound change in years, getting the EU on track to a post-fossil energy system. In a three-day series of... Read more

Conference:Shaping EU Climate and Energy Policy: Insights from and for the Ariadne Project

Date
-
Location
Brussels, Belgium
All events on Energy