Menu image/svg+xml

Prof. Dr. Bernd Hirschl

Head of Research Field „Sustainable Energy and Climate Protection“

Dr. phil. (political science), Industrial Engineer

As head of research field at the IÖW, Bernd Hirschl develops strategies, scenarios and instruments for the energy transition and identifies realistic climate neutrality paths. In addition, he is Professor of “Management of Regional Energy Supply Structures” at the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg. Since 2017, he is also a spokesperson for the Berlin Climate Protection Council.

Bernd Hirschl coordinates the topic area “Climate and Energy” at the IÖW and has already led about 70 inter- and transdisciplinary research projects. Based on his research work, he advises ministries and authorities at federal and state level on the future direction of energy and climate policy.

Publications (selection) │ ProjectsPresentations (selection)



Main focus

  • Energy industry and policy, electricity and heat transition 
  • Decentralized energy systems, sector coupling
  • Climate protection and climate adaptation
  • Sustainability assessment of climate protection technologies and services 
  • regional economic effects, regional structural change
     

Experience

  • Since 2012: Professor for “Management of Regional Energy Supply Structures”, Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg
  • Since 2006: Head of the research field “Sustainable Energy and Climate Protection” at the IÖW
  • Since 1998: Researcher in the research field “Ecological Product Policy” at the IÖW
     


Education

  • 2007: PhD with distinction in political and social science, Otto-Suhr-Institute for politics
  • Studies at the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg and at the University of Hamburg
     


Commitment and committees

  • Spokesperson for the Berlin Climate Protection Council
  • Member of the Brandenburg Climate Council
  • Participation in various working groups in the “Energy Systems of the Future” project of the German Academies of Sciences Leopoldina, acatech and the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities
  • Reviewer for national and international research programs