Germany's energy transition is not guaranteed, yet the shift towards a more sustainable and resilient energy supply continues. Since 2023, more than half of gross electricity consumption has been covered by renewable energies, and the number of electric vehicles is growing. Non-fossil options are also expanding in the heating sector. However, there are also headwinds that could slow or even reverse the energy transition. In order to meet political targets, the pace would need to increase significantly. One thing is clear: the transformation of the energy system in Germany, as in many other countries, has moved beyond the initial phase of change and entered the next stage: the acceleration phase. This phase is characterised by new challenges, including the aforementioned backlash.

As the energy transition brings not only technological changes, but also wide-ranging societal changes, society-oriented energy transition research is central to developing solutions. The growing uptake of climate-friendly technologies and infrastructures, alongside the parallel phase-out of climate-damaging ones, must be understood and scientifically supported as a socio-technical process of change.

This policy brief from the BEWEGT project outlines how society-oriented energy transition research can contribute to the success of the energy transition.

1. Many of the challenges associated with the energy transition are political and societal in nature.

While technological innovation and infrastructure are important, the central challenges of the energy transition lie in the political and societal domain. For example, many conflicts originate in the regulatory framework, such as a lack of financial participation, high electricity levies, or regulatory barriers to flexibility. This highlights the importance of evidence-based social research as a basis for effective policy design.

2. Society-oriented energy transition research improves our understanding of socio-technical challenges and supports the development and testing of solutions.

Society-oriented energy transition research examines the key socio-technical challenges of the energy transition. Interdisciplinary teams, often working in transdisciplinary settings alongside societal stakeholders, develop potential solutions to the challenges of the acceleration phase and test them in practice.

3. In order to achieve the goals of the energy transition, societal debates must identify broadly supported solutions and translate them into action.

The viability of solutions must be negotiated through public debate. Scientific expertise in the field of energy transition and society can help to make diverse perspectives visible, identify silent majorities and develop workable compromises.