Energy Management & Energy Technology

Researchers in this flagship research cluster develop ecologically, technologically and economically beneficial solutions thus contributing to a sustainable society and economy.

The management of limited resources and the climate change are some of the greatest challenges facing modern society. The long-term exhaustibility of fossil fuels and their contribution to climate change are also of key importance to the energy sector. The development of new technologies and the improvement of existing technologies for areas such as power generation and consumption, transportation and production form an important part of any strategy for maintaining a long-term resource base. Solutions at a system and societal level are just as much in demand, since technological approaches to these challenges are insufficient to create economies that are permanently stable in the long term, in part due to the existence of and increase in rebound effects.

Research in this field aims to contribute to resolving these challenges in accordance with the European Union’s 20-20-20 targets: a 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse emissions, a 20 per cent increase in energy efficiency and for 20 per cent of all energy consumed to come from renewable energy sources. Similarly, the EU “Energy Roadmap” aims for an almost total decarbonisation of the energy system by the year 2050.

Economic activity, environmental protection and restricting the consumption of resources do not have to be in conflict with each other: ‘green economy’ concepts could in fact help to achieve each of these aims. Energy Management & Energy Technology is an interdisciplinary field that intersects key problem areas and focuses on several different specialist fields including energy and law, technological innovations, the energy industry, energy and land use and regional and economic matters relating to energy. ‘Smart grids’ are a particular area of focus.

In the context of research-led teaching, the insights gained are also incorporated into the Business Administration degree, specifically into the branch of study “Energy and Environmental Management” and into the short course of study called “Extension Programme in Sustainable Development and Energy”.