Theme I: Meeting the socio-economic challenges of the energy transition

Deep change in energy systems will bring with it economic change and social adjustment, that need to be better understood.

Under Theme I, the Hub investigates economic, policy, regulatory and social aspects of the transition to net-zero emissions energy systems. Research informs regulatory and policy adjustments, and helps to influence long-term reform agendas through forward-looking analysis. Questions are investigated through simulation modelling, field experiments, surveys, scenario planning, modelling of trade and investment flows, comparative international policy and regulatory evaluations, stakeholder consultations and other methods.

This research has linkages with the START Project.

In Australia, the work is led by the ANU Crawford School’s Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, with extensive contributions from the University of Melbourne and other partner organisations. In Germany, the work will leverage analysis undertaken for the Energiewende Monitoring Commission (currently chaired by Prof Andreas Löschel) and extensive work underway at the Mercator Institute.

The work of Theme I relies heavily on involvement and engagement from relevant industry players, community groups and interested research institutes. If you are interested in the work of Theme I and would like to contribute, please contact us.

Projects

Design of markets, regulation and policy to support low-carbon energy investment

Socio-economic

In Progress

Energy and electricity markets, along with the regulatory settings defining them and policy settings guiding them, were designed for a specific context and objectives. They need reform to facilitate energy transition in an effective, economically sound and socially acceptable way. The work will create insights...

Economic and policy frameworks for transition to a low-carbon economy

Socio-economic

In Progress

The transition to a low-carbon economy, like all large-scale industrial and resource transformations, is having important effects on the national economy, and particularly on local communities in regional areas. It is important that the micro and macro effects of moving to a low-carbon energy system...

Energy Transition Hub Synthesis Reports

Completed

Energy transition is happening globally and in Australia and Germany. It is occurring in response to rapidly changing technology costs and as countries move to implement policies in line with the Paris Agreement goals. This transition poses policy and technological challenges. If managed well, it...

Integration of consumer and distribution-scale flexible energy resources: Low-carbon policy and market designs

Socio-economic

Technical

In Progress

As the Australian energy transition continues, a range of new challenges and opportunities are beginning to emerge that can allow consumers and communities to actively participate. As part of the Renewable Energy Research Investment Partnership (RERIP), this project focuses on the market integration...

Smart meter deployment in Australia and Germany — enabling innovation and consumer benefits

Socio-economic

In Progress

Developments in the energy market and new generation technologies promise the emergence of a decentralized consumer-oriented energy system radically different to the centralized supply system of the last century.

Consumers will have choices around generating, storing and trading their own electricity as well as...

Regional and sectoral transition research

Socio-economic

In Progress

The Regional and Sectoral Transitions Research program aims to create and disseminate knowledge informing the rapid, orderly and just phase-out of coal production. The program brings together a wide range of Australian and German researchers with extensive expertise and experience in applied research on coal...