The Institute of Energy Economics at the University of Cologne (EWI) further develops its academic and organizational installation. Since fall 2018, EWI forms a new gemeinnützige GmbH that will further proceed as well as develop all activities of ewi Energy Research & Scenarios gGmbh (ewi ER&S). The new legal structure enables an institutional funding of the renowned institute by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIDE) from 2019 on. The state’s support helps secure the institute’s basic funding and can amount up to 800,000 euro per year.
One main new focus will be the technical, economic and regulatory future challenges of a decentralized, digitalized energy industry. All current activities will be carried on at the known, high level. The new EWI gGmbH is currently lead by its temporary Managing Director, Prof. Marc Oliver Bettzüge. Dr. Christina Elberg, previous Managing Director of ewi ER&S, moved to Innogy in Essen at 1st January 2019 – at her own request and in mutual amicable agreement.