This book addresses the interactions between Germany's energy transition and the EU's energy policy framework. It seeks to analyze the manifold connections between the prospects of the proclaimed "Energy Union" and the future of Germany's energy transition, and identifies relevant lessons for the transformation at the EU level that can be learned from the case of Germany, as a first-mover of transforming energy systems towards renewables. The various repercussions (political, economic and systemic) from the national transition are explored within the EU context as it responds to the German transition, taking into account both existing frictions and potential synergies between predominantly national sustainability policies and the EU's push towards harmonized policies within a common market. The book's overall aim is to identify the most critical issues, in order to avoid pitfalls and capitalize on opportunities.

Towards a European Energy Transition? A Review of Current Policy Challenges and Scientific Debates.- Part I. The European Climate and Energy Policy Framework.- EU Climate and Energy Policy beyond 2020: Are Additional Targets and Instruments for Renewables Economically Reasonable?.- EU Climate and Energy Policy beyond 2020: Is A Single Target for GHG Reduction Sufficient?.- Assessment of Policy Pathways for Reaching the EU Target of (at least) 27% RES by 2030.- The Influence of European State Aid Law on the Design of Support Schemes for Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources in Germany and Other Member States.- A Step Further Towards a European Energy Transition: The "Clean Energy Package" from a Legal Point of View.- Part II. Unilateralism or Cooperation and Convergence?.- Electricity Market Integration and the Impact of Unilateral Policy Reform.- Creating Convergence of National Energy Policies by Increased Cooperation: EU Energy Governance and Its Impact on the German Energy Transition.- Policy Convergence as a Multi-faceted Concept: The Case of Renewable Energy Policies in the EU.- International Coordination on the Provision of Power Generation Capacity - An Institutional Economic Assessment of Decision-Making Competences in a Union of States.- From National to Cross-Border Support of Renewable Electricity in the European Union.- On the Alleged Need to Strictly Europeanize the German Energy Transition.- Germany: Forerunner in Europe with Respect to Energy System Transition?.- Part III. Is There a "Dark Side" to Germany's Energy Transition?.- The Myth of the Dark Side of the Energiewende.- Ensuring Industrial Competitiveness with a Unified European Approach to Sustainable Energy.- Rising Energy Prices due to Inefficient Support for Renewables? An Economic Assessment of status quo and Alternatives in Germany.- Import Dependency and the Energy Transition: a New Risk Field of Security of Supply?.- Combining Climate Protection and Nature Conservation - Requirements for An Environmental-Friendly Energy Transition.- The Relevance of Consumer Preferences and Behaviour for Climate Policy Design: Evidence from the German Energy Transition.- Part IV. The Energy Policy Mix from a Political Economy Perspective.- Cooperative Renewable Energy Expansion in Europe: Cost Savings and Trade Dependencies.- Energy Transition Implications for Demand and Supply of Power System Flexibility: A Case Study of the Netherlands Within an EU Electricity Market and Trading Context.- A Public Choice View on the Climate and Energy Policy Mix in the EU - How Do the Emissions Trading Scheme and Support for Renewable Energies Interact?.- Between Energy Transition and Internal Market Agenda: The Impact of the EU Commission as a Distinct Energy Policy Actor.- Part V. The Spatial Dimension of the Energy Transition.- Cross-Border Electricity Interconnectors in the EU: the status quo.- The Electricity Transmission Line Planning Process at European Level: Legal Framework and Need for Reforms.- The Spatiality of Germany's Energy Transition: Spatial Aspects of a Reconfiguration of An Energy System.- The Spatial Dimension of the Energy Transition: European Renewable Energy Sources-Local Resources and International Exchange.- Part VI. The Energy Transition Beyond the Electricity Sector.- Road Transport and Its Potential Inclusion in the EU ETS.- Energy Transition and Electromobility: A Review.- The Role of a Renewable Energy target for the Transport Sector Beyond 2020: Lessons Learned from EU Biofuel Policy.- Biomethane - Local Energy Carrier or European Commodity?.