Energy, Transportation, Environment Department Publications

Baseload Power Plants Are Not Essential for Future Power Systems

The transition to decarbonized energy systems has fueled a controversial debate over the necessity of traditional ‘‘baseload’’ power. Skepticism remains regarding the reliability and economic feasibility of power systems relying mainly on cheap variable renewable energy (VRE) sources. Addressing this, the German Academies’ project ‘‘Energy Systems of the Future’’ (ESYS) analyzed the role of baseload ...

Innovation Dynamics and Technological Maturity in the Fusion Sector: An Assessment of Fusion Projects

Nuclear fusion is envisioned for near-term energy generation deployment, with projected timelines for commercial deployment of fusion expected for the 2030s. Previous research has been limited to either economic or technological maturity assessments of the sector. To address this gap, we design a novel framework that evaluates fusion projects across the most common reactor types and derives the trajectories ...

Sector Coupling Reimagined: Synthesizing Fragmented Perspectives Into a Unified Framework

Sector coupling (SC), the integration of energy vectors and end-use sectors, is increasingly central to the net-zero transition but remains conceptually fragmented. This fragmentation causes modeling inconsistencies, hinders cross-study comparison, and undermines energy policy coordination. We address this gap through a structured mapping of existing definitions, categorizing them along three dimensions, ...

Multi-Threshold Time Series Analysis Enables Characterization of Variable Renewable Energy Droughts in Europe

Variable renewable energy droughts, so called Dunkelflaute events, emerge as a challenge for climateneutral energy systems based on variable renewables. Here we characterize European drought events for on- and offshore wind power, solar photovoltaics, and renewable technology portfolios, using 38 historic weather years and an advanced identification method. Their characteristics heavily depend on the ...

Fostering Sustainable and Resilient Coastal Communities Through Combining Nature-Based Solutions and Empowerment Tools: A Review

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have proven successful to address major coastal environmental challenges. Participatory approaches to NbS planning, design and implementation are increasing, yet community empowerment remains an underexplored aspect of NbS. This paper aims to assess the current state of knowledge on the contribution of community empowerment in NbS approaches to address coastal challenges ...

Split Between Accelerationists, Pivoters, and the Unwavering: CEE Energy Policy Responses to Russia’s 2022 Invasion

Locked in a Fossil-Centric System Paradigm: LNG Expansion Impedes Socio-Ecological Transition Toward a Just and Renewable Energy Future

The expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure in Europe significantly impedes the necessary socio-ecological transformation (SET) required to shift toward a decentralized, 100% renewable energy system (RES). By reinforcing a fossil-centric system paradigm, LNG infrastructure deepens Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels, thereby delaying climate goals and increasing greenhouse gas emissions. ...

Decline in Job Satisfaction and How It Relates to Investment Decisions of the Self-Employed

Despite substantial research on job satisfaction in self-employment, we know little about the specific consequences for the venture when job satisfaction declines after an external shock. Taking the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of an external shock and drawing on a sample of nearly 7000 self-employed individuals living in Germany, we investigate how declines in job satisfaction are related to the ...

External Costs of Water Pollution in the Drinking Water Supply Sector

Nitrate pollution from agricultural production is a major threat to water resources worldwide. This study quantifies the consequences of groundwater nitrate pollution for the drinking water supply sector by estimating the effect of groundwater nitrate pollution on the costs of water utilities. In doing so, we contribute to the estimation of the external costs of agricultural nonpoint pollution associated ...

From Low Emission Zone to Academic Track: Environmental Policy Effects on Educational Achievement in Elementary School

Do long-term improvements in air quality influence children’s educational outcomes? This paper investigates the impact of Low Emission Zones (LEZs), which restrict access to designated areas for emission-intensive vehicles, on the educational achievement of elementary school students in Germany. Using school-level data from North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, we exploit the staggered ...