Special Lecture by Hermann Lüken (Lecturer, Georg-August- University of Goettingen, Germany)

About the speaker: Hermann Lüken is a Lecturer at the University of Göettingen, Germany. Besides, he is also a Research Associate and PhD candidate at the University of Göttingen, including collaborations with the Fridtjof Nansen Institute. His research examines the political economy of European electricity markets, focusing on the tensions, between market integration, system security, and national sovereignty. With a background in both, Political Science and Economics, his work combines institutional analysis with quantitative methods to, understand the challenges of energy transitions. His recent publications analyze regulatory, frameworks in European electricity markets.

Date and Time: Nov. 19 (Tuesday), 12:30 to 14:00

Place: Room 11, 1F Lecture Building (Let.Law.Econ.)  (文11、文法経講義棟一階)

Title: Power Struggles: How Green Energy Changes Our Electricity Markets and Why It Matters --Balancing Grid Stability, Climate  Action, and Affordable Power --

Abstract of the lecture: As countries rush to switch to renewable energy, unexpected challenges emerge that affect how our electricity markets work. This talk explores three key questions: How do we keep the lights on when the wind isn't blowing? How do we make green energy affordable for everyone? And why do governments keep stepping in despite having created free markets? Using examples from European countries, we'll see how building wind turbines in one country can cause surprising problems for its neighbors, and how political choices - not just technical needs - shape our energy future. Through statistical evidence and real-world cases, we'll discover why managing the green energy transition is more complex than it might seem. While focusing on Europe's experience, we'll also glimpse at Japan's similar challenges to show how these issues affect energy markets worldwide.