New Research Project – ZEW Examines Social Policy Implications of the Transition to Renewables

A broad-based ZEW research project addresses the impact of changing energy prices on the consumer behaviour and the prosperity of households in Germany. The objective of the research project is to identify possible critical reciprocal effects between energy policy and social policy. In addition to the distributional effects of energy policy, the project also examines fairness aspects and the public acceptance of the transition to renewable energy sources. ZEW launches the research project "Sociopolitical Impact of the German Energy Transition" (Sozialpolitische Konsequenzen der Energiewende in Deutschland) on August 1, 2013.

Electricity, heating and hot water costs represent an increasing share of the consumption expenditures of households in Germany. One reason for this development is the funding of alternative energies in the context of the transition to renewables in Germany, the “Energiewende.” While funding renewables is a major contribution to the expansion of climate-friendly energy sources, increasing energy costs could become a heavy financial burden for low-income households. The term "energy poverty" is thus becoming more and more important in the public debate about the transition to renewables.

The interdisciplinary project "Social Policy Implications of the Transition to Renewable Energy Sources in Germany" examines the impact of changing energy prices on various social groups such as families, older people or single parents. The research accounts for costs as well as benefits of the "Energiewende". The objective of the project is to provide valuable findings for energy and climate policies.

The project is financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, funding code 01UN1204A) and brings together researchers from the fields of philosophy, business ethics, psychology and empirical economic research. The three-year project will be carried out by ZEW in collaboration with the universities of Heidelberg, Bayreuth, Kassel, and Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. ZEW is also in charge of project coordination.

Contact:

Peter Heindl, Phone +49/621/1235-206, E-mail heindl@zew.de

Prof. Dr. Andreas Löschel, Phone +49/621/1235-200, E-mail loeschel@zew.de