F1IE 4015 - European Energy Policies

Energy policies can be described as the choices that governments make to address energy policy objectives, notably in the realm of security of supply (importers) or demand (exporters), affordability – often described as ‘competitiveness' – or environmental and other impacts. Because of the overwhelming importance of the energy sector, which is fundamental to security and defence as well as all economic and other activity, governments typically accept the need for a sector-specific policy. This can cover a broad range of policy areas or parts thereof, such as market organization, taxation, ownership – public versus private – environmental protection & climate change, infrastructure, research, technology, trade, foreign and after all security and defence policy. Governments apply a plethora of instruments as diverse as legislation, competition policy, international treaties, incentives to investment, guidelines, information as well as ‘hard' security, i.e. the military.
Focus will be European energy policy however in a comparative perspective. The course will i) describe, ii) analyse and iii) evaluate EU solutions for example to address renewables integration, energy efficiency, security of supply or climate change and compare them to policy choices in other countries and regions such as the US, China, Africa or Latin America. The comparative analysis will primarily apply a case study methodology to compare typical ‘energy policy interventions' in selected countries/regions.
Learning Outcomes:
1. General understanding of the politics of energy, i.e. the triangle of energy economics, energy companies and politics
2. Ability to explain governments' energy policy interventions to experts and lay persons
3. In-depth study of one relevant energy policy area
4. Policy Brief writing
5. Oral communication
Professional Skills:
Witten and oral communication, including advocacy; understanding stakeholders; creative and critical thinking

Christian EGENHOFER

Séminaire

English

Course Workload:
- In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 4 hours a week
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 2 hours a week
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 3 hours a week
- Other: e.g. participation in online discussion groups or blogs: 1 hour a week

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Autumn 2022-2023

Assessment:
(i) Contribution to simulation or group discussions (depending on students' numbers) with peer evaluation: 20%
(ii) Written exam (over 3 hours with around 500 words in length, as open book take-home exam): 30%
(iii) End of term paper in the form of a ‘Strategy paper'/Policy Brief' (between 2.000 to 3.000 words): 50%

The course will consist of pre-recorded or online lectures, lectures in class, Q&A and discussions, students' presentations, polls, case studies and ad hoc discussions on energy policy topics that are in the news. Feed-back on assessments will be provided within 2 weeks following the assessment.