Main topic: The German Energiewende - the decarbonization of the energy sector of an industrial and export-oriented country.

Overarching theme: The complexity of the energy transition. 

Outline: Analysis of the Energiewende, its strengths, and weaknesses. At a more general level a debate on the basic problem of decarbonization - how to ensure that government policies lead to the desired results and what to do if these policies fail.

Sources: The historical development of German energy policy is described by Hake et al.  The topical questions related to the Energiewende are discussed in the Redefining energy podcast. To get a better idea of the transformation so far and the current state of the German energy sector the Fraunhofer Institute's website is useful. Of particular note is the transformation of the generation portfolio linked to the development of renewable energy sources (Power and Energy links).  

Get ready: Should countries proceed slowly, evolutionarily, and use less invasive instruments in decarbonization, or should they opt for vigorous, forceful, and fast instruments? Why?