IKEM | February 2026
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On the Right Track

Hi ,

Currently, 62 percent of Germany's electricity is generated from renewable energies – more than ever before. With this positive development, the energy transition is on the right track. At the same time, political signals indicate that this development could slow down.

The critical discussion surrounding the ‘Netzpaket’ and the amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz, EEG), which is being led by associations and NGOs, shows that there is a great need for adjustment. As an institute, we would like to accompany this discussion constructively and contribute with suggestions. You can find out more in the coming weeks on our website and via our LinkedIn channel.

As usual, this newsletter provides you with information about our latest publications and upcoming events. We would also like to introduce our new Managing Director, Philine Wedell. In our interview with her, she discusses her priorities for the first few months and the main topics of IKEM's work this year.

Until next time,

The IKEM Communications Team

Philine Wedell is IKEM's new Managing Director
Philine Wedell (Photo: Silke Reents)
‘My main priority is to strengthen interdisciplinary research at IKEM.’

Philine Wedell joined Susan Wilms as co-director of IKEM this month. In this interview, we speak with her about her new role, her plans for the institute and what acceptance of the energy transition means.

Read the interview
 
Publications
Study Cover
Legal aspects of converting LNG terminals to hydrogen transport carriers

The study by Friederike Allolio, Leandra Schulz and Yannick Würkert highlights the legal challenges involved in converting existing onshore LNG terminal infrastructure to hydrogen transport carriers with regard to licensing law and energy industry law issues.

Publication
 
Article Cover
The applicability of the RED biomass quantity limits
in emissions trading

In his article in ZUR, Johannes Graetschel advocates integrating the ‘caps’ of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) into the monitoring regulation of the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) in order to coherently combine climate and nature conservation.

Publication
 
Cover der Klima und Recht. Quelle: Verlag C.H.Beck
Remote control in road traffic

With the Road Traffic Remote Control Regulation, German regulators have created a legal framework for vehicles with remote control driving functions for the first time. The article in Klima und Recht by Sarah Marenbach and Timon Plass examines its key provisions.

Publication
 
Cover der Klima und Recht. Quelle: Verlag C.H.Beck
Emergency loans to tackle the climate crisis?

Sven Ojak's article in Klima und Recht focuses on the ruling of the Bremen Constitutional Court of 23 October 2025 (Ref. St 3/24), in which the climate crisis was recognised for the first time by a constitutional court as an exceptional emergency situation (Art. 131a (3) sentence 1 BremVerf).

Publication
 
Presentation of electricity procurement costs
Poster on electricity supply costs

State‑mandated electricity price components are a relevant cost factor for the operation of heat storage power plants. In this poster, Franziska Stamme, Rosa von der Stein and Julie Hertel illustrate the origin of grid fees, (grid fee-linked) levies and surcharges, and electricity tax. First published in 2025, the poster was updated following legislative changes at the turn of the year and has now been republished.

Poster
 
Factsheet
Certification of green ammonia

Rosa von der Stein's factsheet provides an overview of the legal requirements and framework conditions for the certification of green ammonia as a renewable fuel of non-biogenic origin (RFNBO).

Factsheet
 
Upcoming Events
SAENA GmbH-Logo
What Municipalities Need to Know About Gas and Hydrogen Networks

On 5 March 2026, Leandra Schulz will provide a legal overview of gas and hydrogen network infrastructure. In this SAENA GmbH webinar, she will discuss the current legal framework, energy-sector developments and technological issues relevant to municipal heat planning.

Register here (German)
 
Logo TransHyDE-2.0-Initiative
CO₂ Infrastructure Platform

On 10 March 2026, the digital kick‑off for the ‘CO₂ Infrastructure’ platform will take place as part of the TransHyDE 2.0 initiative. The platform will offer space for exchange and cooperation among industry stakeholders working at the interface of hydrogen and CO₂ infrastructure.

Register here (German)
 
Berliner Energiestammtisch
Berlin Energy Roundtable

The next Berlin Energy Roundtable, titled ‘Reality Meets Regulation: Where Do We Stand on Grid Connections?’, will be held on 19 March 2026 at the Ludwig Erhard Haus, featuring Dr Boris Scholtka and Franziska Rothe from Addleshaw Goddard LLP.

Register here (German)
 
Urban Innovation Forum 2026
Urban Innovation Forum 2026

IKEM Managing Director Philine Wedell will join the panel ‘From Strategy to Heat – How Municipalities Can Deliver the Heat Transition’ on 19 March 2026. Other panellists include Prof Volker Quaschning (HTW Berlin), Simon Harske (Enpal Heat) and Susanne Huneke (BEW).

Register here
 
IFZO-Logo
Pieces of Resilience: Co‑Creating Capacity, Security, and Transformation

On 26 and 27 March 2026, the IFZO is hosting an interdisciplinary workshop in Greifswald on the question of how resilience is being renegotiated in the face of climatic, ecological and geopolitical changes. Contributions can be submitted now.

Call for Papers
 
Past Events
Group picture
Online Meeting of Biogas Partners

Leonie Durschang participated as an expert in the online meeting of Biogaspartner – a project of dena – on 29 January. In her keynote speech, she outlined the role of biomethane in the EEG and spoke about the framework conditions of the EEG with regard to funding opportunities for biomethane plants.

Further informationen
 
Podiumsdiskussion
Electricity costs down to zero thanks to flexibility

On 4 February, the short film ‘Electricity costs down to zero thanks to flexibility’ was presented in Berlin. IKEM Managing Director Philine Wedell moderated the subsequent panel discussion with Rainer Baake (Climate Neutrality Foundation), Klaus Müller (Federal Network Agency), Linda Rülicke (Fraunhofer IEE) and Thomas Rütting (Stromnetz Berlin) on the potential and challenges of flexible electricity consumption.

Watch the film (German)
 
Klima und Recht
 
Cover der Klima und Recht. Quelle: Verlag C.H.Beck
Issue 2/2026

The latest issue of the journal is now available and includes the following contributions:

  • Fabian Floto: The necessity of green molecules as a key to an energy system with rapidly expanding renewable electricity
  • Prof Dr Stefan Ernst: On the legal nature of contracts for atmospheric carbon removal with long-term storage
  • Sarah Marenbach/Timon Plass: Remote control in road traffic – potential and shortcomings of the Road Traffic Remote Control Regulation
  • Sven Ojak: Emergency loans to address the climate crisis? A commentary on the judgment of the Bremen State Court (23.10.2025, St 3/24)
  • Case Law: StGH Bremen 23.10.2025 – St 3/24: Climate crisis as an exceptional emergency situation

Are you researching legal aspects of climate change and are interested in publishing your work? Contact the editorial team: klimr@ikem.de.

Current issue (German)
 
Current Vacancies 
 
Photo of people working at a desk. Source: Pexels.

Join the IKEM team! We are currently recruiting:

  • Doctoral candidates (m/f/d)
  • Legal trainees
  • Interns
Apply now! 
 

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IKEM – Institut für Klimaschutz, Energie und Mobilität e.V.


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