Looking at the legal aspects of the energy transition

At WU, Wolfgang Urbantschitsch carries out research on the legal aspects of the energy supply transition from fossil fuels to renewables. This transition is subject to a variety of legal requirements and political goals that create a complex and constantly changing legal framework. As WU’s new professor points out, “I’d like to do research on the legal aspects of the energy transition, in particular on how the energy system is controlled through laws and incentives, and on the issue of ensuring energy supply security across legislative periods.” Urbantschitsch also looks at the role customers play as energy market participants and at the social aspects of the energy transformation, with a view to developing fair solutions for facilitating the transition. One of Wolfgang Urbantschitsch’s key priorities is providing students with energy law expertise, focusing on the relevant legal basis but also building up a fundamental understanding of the overarching technical and economic conditions related to the issue of energy supply. “I want to spark my students’ interest in the topic of energy through interactive face-to-face teaching and real-life examples, and to break down the complex interrelationships in a way that is easy to understand, helping my students acquire essential knowledge to broaden their career prospects,” Professor Urbantschitsch says.