After successful completion of the course, students are able to apply knowledge on selected topics of energy and environmental economics. They understand the interrelationships and interdependencies between different energy sectors, energy infrastructures, energy services and the corresponding impact on the environment.

Based on the introductory courses in energy economics, selected aspects of the energy value chain are examined in more detail in this in-depth course. Starting from the resource perspective on the supply side (fossil, renewable, nuclear), various climate-neutral energy carriers and end-use energy service sectors (in particular heating and transport) are then discussed in detail. Since the coordination of energy supply and demand takes place on energy markets, special attention is paid in this course to this aspect or possible market/regulatory interventions on markets in times of crisis. Finally, attempts are also made to frequently engage external guest speakers for single units on a hot energy/environmental-related topic.

Schedule of individual lectures

03.10.2022, 13.00 - 14.00 (Auer/Golab): Introduction

10.10.2022, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 1 (Auer): Fossil fuels & decarbonisation (Exercise 1) 

17.10.2022, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 2 (Auer): European energy security: market disruptions and interventions in times of crises

24.10.2022, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 3 (Martin (NTNU-Trondheim)): Hydrogen fuels in heavy duty transport (Exercise 2)

07.11.2022, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 4 (Golab): Highway electric vehicle charging infrastructure

14.11.2022, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 5 (Haas): Heat demand in buildings (Exercise 3)

21.11.2022, 13.00 - 15.00, written Exam, Part 1

28.11.2022, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 6 (Fallahnejad): District heating and GIS (Exercise 4)

05.12.2022, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 7 (Houben): Optimally dispatched multi-energy system microgrid under uncertainty

12.12.2022, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 8 (Zwickl-Bernhard): Economic (in-)viability of green hydrogen from hydropower (Exercise 5)

09.01.2023, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 9 (Lettner/Schwabeneder/Maldet): Energy communities

16.01.2023, 13.00 - 16.00, Lecture 10 (Welsch (IAEA-Vienna)): Nuclear perspectives 

 23.01.2023, 13.00 - 15.00, written Exam, Part 2

• Thematic lectures
• Interactive discussions with students
• Discussion of practical case studies
• Written assignments and submission of homeworks (calculation examples, thematic summaries)
• References to further literature and practical information/events

Important Information!

If you have any questions about this course, please contact Antonia Golab - Email: golab@eeg.tuwien.ac.at

The overall grade (100% of the possible total points) is composed of 2 parts:

- 50% of the total points can be obtained from the written assignments of the 5 homeworks (calculation examples, thematic summaries); per homework max. 10%. During the semester, 5 homeworks must be delivered (within the announced deadlines) in time. The homeworks are to be done individually, not in the form of group work.

- 50% of the total points can be achieved in the 2 written examinations in the middle and at the end of the semester (max. 25% each).

Please note, for each of the 2 parts (homeworks, written exams) at least 50% of the possible points must be achieved to get a positive grade!

The following documents are available for download on TUWEL:

- Set of slides per course unit

- All necessary documents for the exercises and homeworks (task specifications, references, submission modalities, ...)

Interest in energy and environmental economics