Economic, environmental, societal and technological impact factors in the transition of the German energy system - investigations from a prosumer’s perspective

Kappner, Kai Tobias; Letmathe, Peter (Thesis advisor); Venghaus, Sandra (Thesis advisor)

Aachen : RWTH Aachen University (2023)
Dissertation / PhD Thesis

Dissertation, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, 2023

Abstract

The German energy transition is a major challenge that requires the efforts of many different actors. In the energy market, key factors are the finite nature of fossil fuels and, above all, the need to counteract the progress of anthropological climate change. Therefore, the generation of electricity is currently being converted from a centralised structure based on fossil fuels and nuclear energy to a decentralised one based on renewable energies. This transition is not voluntary, but is driven by regulations and subsidies, and the form that they take depends on political decisions. Therefore, this dissertation first studies the interaction of the various impact factors in the process of the energy transition. In addition, the example of the private prosumer is used to examine how the regulations and subsidies affect the individual actor: which measures are successful, and where is a need for action in order to achieve the set goals. From a scientific perspective, the thesis provides a detailed financial and environmental assessment and gives implications for both private decision-makers and regulators.

Institutions

• Chair of Management Accounting [812110]