Research
Selected research areas
Green Technology Adoption
Our research investigates the drivers of green technology adoption across the energy value chain—from the diffusion of clean generation assets to the deployment of fossil-free end-use solutions. We focus on key technologies such as solar photovoltaics, battery storage systems, electric mobility, and electric space and water heating.
We examine how adoption decisions are shaped by factors including profitability, household income, political ideology, and government intervention programs. By analyzing these determinants, we provide insights that help evaluate policy scenarios and generate actionable recommendations for firms and policymakers aiming to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Our ongoing projects include:
- Evaluating the effect of far-right ideology on the diffusion of green technologies
- Assessing how simple and complex profitability information shape the solar adoption choices of residential households
- Exploring the potential of e-bike adoption for reducing single-occupancy car trips
- Estimating the effect of bicycle infrastructure and regulation on the diffusion of micro-mobility solutions
Through this work, we seek to advance the socio-technical understanding of adoption behaviors and inform evidence-based strategies that drive widespread adoption of green technologies and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Energy Justice
Policies designed to accelerate clean technology adoption inevitably have distributional effects, providing targeted benefits to some while shifting costs to the broader public. Understanding how different socio-economic groups respond to these policies is essential for crafting interventions that are both effective and equitable.
Our research examines the distributional impacts of energy policies and explores strategies for enabling a just and inclusive clean energy transition. Taking a community-centered perspective, we focus on both residential and non-residential sectors to identify pathways that promote fairness and accessibility in the energy transition.
Our ongoing projects include:
- Exploring the potential of non-residential solar to tackle energy injustice (see our Nature Energy article)
- Efficient policies for a just transition to a clean energy future (scoping review)
- Reducing energy burden and carbon emissions through residential building retrofits
Through this work, we aim to inform policies that ensure the benefits of clean energy reach all communities, fostering a transition that is not only sustainable but also just.
Climate Resilience
As climate change accelerates, communities face increasing challenges—from seeking refuge from heatwaves to protecting against wildfires and adapting to climate-related disruptions. Policymakers and urban planners are under growing pressure to implement cost-effective solutions that mitigate urban heat islands, safeguard vulnerable populations, and enhance infrastructure resilience.
As part of the EU-funded project “Climate-Resilient Development Pathways in Metropolitan Regions of Europe” (CARMINE), we collaborate with policymakers, industry leaders, and representatives of vulnerable communities to co-develop adaptation strategies. Leading the Leipzig case study area, CARL plays a key role in shaping sustainable climate adaptation approaches in Germany and across Europe.
Our ongoing research projects include:
- Assessing disparities in wildfire protection across socio-demographic groups (see our recent Nature Communications article)
- Evaluating the effectiveness of greening initiatives in mitigating urban heat islands
- Estimating the impact of suburban vegetation on residential energy consumption under extreme heat
Through this work, we provide evidence-based insights that support resilient, inclusive, and sustainable climate adaptation policies.
Publications
- Reining, S., Wussow, M., Zanocco, C., & Neumann, D. (2025). Roof renewal disparities widen the equity gap in residential wildfire protection. Nature Communications (Link to article)
- Rosenfelder, M., Wussow, M., Gust, G., Cremades, R., & Neumann, D. (2021). Predicting residential electricity consumption using aerial and street view images. Applied Energy (Link to article)
- Rüde, L., Wussow, M., Heleno, M., Gust, G., & Neumann, D. (2024). Estimating electrical distribution network length and capital investment needs from real-world topologies and land cover data. Energy Policy (Link to article)
- Wussow, M., Zanocco, C., Wang, Z., Prabha, R., Flora, J., Neumann, D., Majumdar, A., & Rajagopal, R. (2024). Exploring the potential of non-residential solar to tackle energy injustice. Nature Energy (Link to article)
- [Technical Report] Rajagopal, R., Majumdar, A., Wang, Z., Zanocco, C., Prabha, R., Wussow, M., … & Tan, C. W. (2024). Machine-Learning-Based Mapping and Modeling of Solar Energy with Ultra-High Spatiotemporal Granularity (No. DE-EE0009359). Stanford Univ., CA (United States). (Link to article)