Prof. Dr. Bernhard Kreße

(in the fields covered by the research cluster)

• My research interests include energy law, in particular energy antitrust and state subsidy law. When it comes to energy antitrust law, I am particularly interested in the relationship to regulatory law, especially inasmuch as this relates to the question of how the EU Commission uses antitrust rules for regulatory purposes. In the field of energy aid law, I focus on how the expansion of renewable energies can be structured in compliance with state aid regulations, as this typically involves government subsidies. If a subsidy has not been registered as such, it must be reclaimed by the state in accordance with the relevant provisions of European law. This may be in conflict with the International Energy Charter. Many questions still need to be clarified in this area. This entails addressing the legal challenges of ensuring security of supply while simultaneously safeguarding private property rights.
• My current research focuses on energy contract law, particularly in regard to potential price structures in the energy sector, as well as the legal issues surrounding European solidarity obligations.
• Energy data protection law is another focus of my research. For example, the relationship between the Metering Point Operation Act and the European General Data Protection Regulation has not yet been conclusively clarified. In data protection law, unbundling issues are also of interest, similar to those found in the energy sector between the grid and the energy supplier.