Projects on Energy Law

We conduct research on energy law issues, including just green electrification and the renewable energy economy. Drawing on our legal expertise, we work in multidisciplinary teams on the following research:

Intel – The coming of age of a new legal discipline: Developing the general doctrine of energy law

The INTEL project identifies and analyses the concepts and principles of energy law and develops the general doctrine of the discipline. A general doctrine consolidates the foundations of a legal discipline and guides legislators, courts and lawyers in identifying, evaluating and interpreting legal norms.

Our research uses a novel combination of methods, including jurisprudence, interviews, co-creation and machine learning, to generate new knowledge about the interpretation of energy law sources and how legislators, judges and lawyers perceive energy law.

Project duration: 2024 – 2029

Learn more about the Intel project here.

Foundations

The FOUNDATIONS project aims to develop a comprehensive doctrine for energy law, which currently lacks a consolidated set of key concepts, principles, and theories that other established legal disciplines possess. A general doctrine is essential for guiding legislators, courts, and legal professionals in interpreting and applying legal norms. Given the ongoing energy transition and the energy crisis in Europe, creating a unified framework for energy law is increasingly important. The project focuses on constructing and analyzing these foundational elements to provide coherence and direction for the discipline.

Project duration: 2024 – 2028

Learn more about the FOUNDATIONS project here.

Training for a Hydrogen Economy based Renewable Energy Society in the Anthropocene (Theresa)

The THERESA project aims to create a doctoral research program dedicated to the systematic legal analysis of the hydrogen economy. PhD candidates will receive training in regulatory interventions related to hydrogen, addressing the complexities of its highly fragmented legal framework. The project focuses on three main objectives: reducing sectoral fragmentation, promoting the sustainable use of hydrogen, and encouraging social engagement in the hydrogen economy. To achieve these goals, THERESA will employ a methodology that includes doctrinal and comparative analysis, as well as empirical legal research.

Project duration: 2022 – 2026

Learn more about the Theresa project here.

Completed projects

Hydrogen and Carbon Value Chains in Green Electrification, Hygcel (2022 – 2024)

EU Law as an Instrument for Energy Justice, EUJUST (2021-2024)

Movement to a resource efficient and climate neutral electricity system, EL-TRAN (2015-2021)

Winland: future energy, food and water security in Finland

Impact of shale gas in EU energy law and policy (2014 – 2018)