Research group “Transformative Energy System Analysis” (TESA)

The Transformative Energy System Analysis research group investigates citizens’ perceptions and behavior in the context of the energy transition from a behavioral science perspective. The energy transition is not only a technical endeavor, but also requires individual and societal changes. Therefore, the goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of the perception and acceptance of energy systems and decarbonization measures.

The group's current research topics include the individual adoption of sustainable energy technologies, such as heat pumps, by private households, societal support for political measures in terms of policy design and perceived fairness, and the social acceptance of negative-emission technologies and infrastructure.

The research group takes an interdisciplinary approach that combines perspectives and theories from social and environmental psychology, behavioral economics, and energy research. It primarily uses empirical methods such as experimental designs, population-representative surveys, and field studies. The research group plays a leading role in coordinating an Energy Transition Observatory that surveys social acceptance of the energy transition in Germany and France at regular intervals.