Research Topics in Energy Economics

Energy Economics Winter Seminar

Content

The module "Research Topics in Energy Economics" is a catalog module at the Faculty of Business and Economics and can be completed in bachelor's, master's or diploma programs. The aim of the module is to examine current topics in the energy economics and to work on them using scientific literature and state of the art methods. For this purpose, a seminar paper is written and graded as an individual work. Depending on the desired degree (BA/MA/DIPL), different requirements are placed on the seminar paper.

In winter 2025/2026, the module will be offered as a joint winter seminar of the Chairs of Energy Economics at TU Dresden and Ruhr University Bochum .

Current Topic:  Future Prospects of Offshore Energy

The winter seminar is intended to facilitate an intensive exchange among students regarding the perspective and role of offshore energy in the context of a climate-neutral Germany and Europe by 2045, combined with an attractive leisure program.

In this seminar, the future prospects of offshore energy will be examined from various perspectives. Topics range from technological innovations and economic frameworks to regulatory challenges. During the seminar week, these topics will be synthesized into an offshore strategy.

The seminar week will take place from January 3 to January 10, 2026 in Söllerhaus in the heart of the Kleinwalsertal ski area (Austria).

List of Topics:

The topics are assigned in such a way that each student examines an independent set of tasks.

• Technologies and Innovations
  • Status quo and future prospects of offshore wind energy in Europe
  • Floating wind turbines: opportunities and challenges
  • Hybrid offshore systems: wave energy and hybrid utilization
  • Technological developments in offshore grid connection: cables, converters, and interconnectors
  • Offshore energy storage: electrolysis and other storage technologies
• Economic Viability and Market Dynamics
  • Levelized cost of electricity, cost potential curves, and economic viability of offshore projects
  • Comparison of different tendering procedures in the offshore sector
  • Financing models, investment structures, and risk management in offshore energy projects
  • Offshore electricity trading: interconnectors and market zones in Europe
• Offshore energy as part of the energy system
  • Integration of offshore energy into European energy systems
  • Hydrogen production at sea: potential and economic framework conditions
  • Offshore wind as a driver for the electrification of energy-intensive industries
• Regulatory framework and environmental aspects
  • Environmental compatibility and sustainability of offshore projects
  • Protecting critical offshore infrastructure from cyber and physical threats
  • Analysis of various stakeholders and interest groups

Please state three preferred topics with your registration, which will be taken into account when assigning topics. In the case of multiple answers to a topic, the topic will be assigned by lot. In addition to the exchange with the students from RUB, a friendly atmosphere will encourage participants to support each other and contribute to the group dynamic. To this end, the energy economics seminar will take place in Söllerhaus in Kleinwalsertal (Austria). The location offers opportunities for various winter activities (also for non-skiers). The programm for the free-time activities are at the participant's own discretion.

Important notes

• By registering for the course, you commit to participate and pay a fee of approximately €290 for accommodation with half board in the ski resort, which must be paid at the time of registration. In addition, you will be responsible for your own travel and recreational expenses (e.g. ski pass). The chair will try to obtain special discounts and assist in coordinating the group.
• Registration deadline: October 06, 2025 via OPAL
• Ski-week 03.-10. January 2026 (im Söllerhaus)

General Information

• Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Dominik Möst
• Contact person: Dimitrios Glynos
• Maximum number of participants: 11 Persons
• Scope: Seminar paper as an individual assignment with 10 - 15 pages of content (depending on degree: BA/MA/Dipl)
• Submission of the seminar paper by 19.12.2025
• Final presentation in Söllerhaus: 15-minute presentation + 10-minute discussion - active contribution to discussion required
• ECTS Credits: 5
• The course takes place in the winter semester

For the detailed schedule and further information, please visit the OPAL group and register.