Kursinformation

This module provides an overview of current topics and case studies in technical, economic, and policy issues related to the transition to greenhouse gas neutrality and the circular economy in energy-intensive industries. Students engage with advanced concepts from public policy theory (e.g., policy cycle, stakeholder analysis, and policy instrument choice) to understand how institutional frameworks, regulatory processes, and governance structures shape industrial transformation. The curriculum covers major stages of policy development: problem definition, agenda setting, policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation, contextualizing these through technology-driven case studies in sectors such as steel, cement, and hydrogen. Technical content focuses on the fundamentals of industrial production, energy systems, and innovation, coupled with an in-depth overview of the international and national policy landscape. This includes analysis of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), European Green Deal, and the Paris Agreement, as well as the role of economic policy instruments such as subsidies, taxes, emissions trading, and public procurement in steering technological development. Emphasis is given to policy tools fostering innovation and the impact of public-private partnerships or multi-level governance arrangements in effective policy deployment. Throughout, practical case studies and group work immerse students in real-world policy processes-evaluating the success and limitations of specific regulatory interventions (e.g., EU Emissions Trading, hydrogen funding programs), as well as the mechanisms for policy learning, adaptation, and stakeholder engagement. Field trips, and stakeholder discussions further help students to develop applied skills in policy analysis and understand relevant case studies.