Macroeconomics
About
The Macroeconomics team focuses on developing and using economic models and approaches to identify and analyse the macroeconomic impacts of the transformation of the energy system.
Research Topics
A particular emphasis is placed on identifying employment effects to better understand the labour market impacts. The developed and applied model suite includes modern computable general equilibrium, econometric, and disequilibrium input-output approaches at various regional and national levels. These models can be combined with energy system models to create hybrid models. Linking these different models allows for a detailed analysis of complex interactions between the energy transition and overall economic development. Based on this foundation, sound statements can be made about the macroeconomic effects of the energy system transformation and appropriate policy measures can be derived, developed in collaboration with other teams.
Projects
During RESUR I a toolbox of models for assessing macroeconomic impacts of disruptive events was developed and employed. This toolbox was used to evaluate different economic scenarios. The first focused on the vulnerability of global supply chains and potential system-wide impacts. The second emphasized the importance of short-term considerations in transitioning to net-zero emissions. The third assessed the effects of technological changes (e.g. AI) on the labor market, while the fourth explored the socio-economic impacts of temporary water scarcity and the need to improve resilience in water systems. Each study provided insights for policymakers to address economic vulnerabilities and mitigate risks in different sectors. In RESUR II, the focus will be on introducing greater actor heterogeneity into the macro assessment toolbox.