Text icon 'UFR' standing for University of Freiburg
Chair of Transformation towards Sustainable Energy Systems
Seal element of the university of freiburg in the shape of a clover

Research

Rooftop covered in solar panels

The Chair of Transformation to Sustainable Energy Systems is active in the following fields of research:

Research Projects

Pipes being installed

Research project

BMWK project “W-rob – Robust implementation of heat planning”  

The core team from the “Law” department and other colleagues from the fields of politics/governance and geography/infrastructure has been working on the challenges of heat planning for half a year now. The focus is on the task of identifying the central challenges and developing solutions in cooperation with the practical partners, including local government representatives from eight cities. This raises the question of how heat planning can be achieved in the most “socially robust” way possible, i.e. in particular with a high degree of transparency, broad acceptance among the population and voluntary, active implementation.

Read more
Bee pollinating a flower

Research project

INTEGRA – Integration of habitat structures into agricultural land to promote insect pollinators

The project is a joint effort of different professorships
of the Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources and the Institute of Soil Science and Soil Science and Soil Evaluation at the University of Hohenheim.

One team is investigating the suitability of trees and shrubs as a habitat for pollinating
insects in agricultural areas.

In addition the project is also investigating the legal framework for agroforestry systems resulting from the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural systems.

Read more
Robot holding a city on one hand and stopping lightning with the other

Research project

I4C – Intelligence for Cities – From Data to Predictions to Decisions

The I4C project investigates how artificial intelligence methods can support the adaptation of cities to climate change.

The project uses a model of the city of Freiburg as an example with weather forecasts and climate simulations. The results can be used to derive
planning, political and legal measures to improve the adaptability of cities to extreme weather events.

The project is accompanied by considerations on ethics and data protection
when dealing with artificial intelligence.

Read more

About us

Our profile, latest news and more

Teaching

Our courses and information about theses

Our Team

Introduction of our team members with contact details

New Publications

  • Franzius, C., Aykut, S., Boysen, S., Klafki, A., Knodt, M., Löschel, A., Lorenzen, J., Markus, T., Schlacke, S., Vogt, Y., & Zengerling, C. (2025). Transformatives Klimarecht: Raum, Zeit, Gesellschaft, Zeitschrift für Europäisches Umwelt- und Planungsrecht, 23(2), pp. 149 – 157, https://eurup.lexxion.eu/article/EURUP/2025/2/5.
  • Klimke, M., Plieninger, T., & Zengerling, C. (2025). Social–ecological traps in agroforestry and the role of law. Sustainability Science, Vol. 20(3), pp. 707-723, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-024-01623-1.
  • Klimke, M., & Zengerling, C. (2025). Aufwind für Agroforstsysteme? Aktuelle Entwicklungen, Chancen und Hemmnisse im europäischen und deutschen Recht. Natur und Recht, 47(2), 77-89, https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10357-025-4497-1.pdf.

Completed Projects