This book provides an in-depth analysis of the energy transformation process ongoing in Germany, now commonly referred to as energiewende, in the European context, with a focus on the electricity sector. It presents an expert look at the origins of the German energiewende, its concrete implementation, its impacts within the European context as well as medium and long-term perspectives. The authors, internationally recognized energy, electricity, and climate economists at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) and Berlin University of Technology, conclude that the first years of the energiewende have successfully laid the foundation for a renewables-based electricity system in Germany, but that challenges remain in relation to decarbonizing the electricity system and phasing out nuclear energy. The authors also provide ground-breaking insights to inform energy policy in other countries and at the European level. In the outlook, the authors explore upcoming issues, such as coupling between the electricity and other sectors, and behavioral changes of industry and households. The book addresses readers in the energy industry, energy and climate policymakers, regulators, and others interested in the low carbon energy system transformation in Germany, Europe, and worldwide.

Christian von Hirschhausen is a professor of Economics at the Workgroup for Economic and Infrastructure Policy (WIP) at TU Berlin. PhD in Industrial Economics from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris in 1995. Previously he was Chair of Energy Economics and Public Sector Management at TU Dresden. Prof. von Hirschhausen focuses on the restructuring, regulation and financing of infrastructure sectors, mainly energy, and is a regular advisor to industry and policymakers.Clemens Gerbaulet is a research associate at the Department of Economic and Infrastructure Policy (WIP) at the TU Berlin as well as the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility (IKEM) and a guest researcher at DIW Berlin. In 2011 he finished his studies in economics and engineering at the TU Dresden. He conducts research on European electricity market modelling, in particular the development of transmission and generation infrastructure.Claudia Kemfert is a professor of Energy Economics and Sustainability at the Hertie School of Governance, in Berlin and Head of the department Energy, Transportation, Environment at the DIW Berlin. She was appointed by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety as a member of the German Advisory Council on the Environment. She completed her PhD at Stanford University in 1998 with a DAAD Scholarship. Her research activities concentrate on the evaluation of climate and energy policy strategies.Casimir Lorenz is a research associate at the Department of Economic and Infrastructure Policy (WIP) at the TU Berlin as well as at the department Energy, Transportation, Environment at DIW Berlin. He finished his studies in economics and engineering at the TU Berlin in 2013. His research focus lies on international cooperation in balancing energy markets and energy system modelling.Pao-Yu Oei leads a subgroup on "Decarbonization and Development" at the the Workgroup for Infrastructure policy (WIP) at the TU Berlin and works for the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU). He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from TU Berlin in 2016 and spent research visits at the University of Maryland and the International Institute of Applied System Analysis (IIASA). He works as guest researcher at DIW Berlin and specializes in analyzing the effects of the decarbonization of the European electricity sector.