Pao-Yu Oei

Prof. Dr. Pao-Yu Oei serves as full Professor for 'Economics of Sustainable Energy System Transition' at Europa Universität Flensburg (EUF), where he directs the 'Industrial Engineering: Energy and Environmental Management' study program. He leads the 30-member 'CoalExit' research group spanning EUF, TU Berlin, and DIW Berlin, and coordinates the international CoalTransitions research hub with over 60 researchers from 25 institutions across 5 continents. Oei also heads the Transnational Centre for Just Transitions (TRAJECTS), a DAAD climate center fostering North-South-South cooperation with Colombia and South Africa to enhance knowledge exchange and capacity building in the Global South.

His research spans techno-economic modeling of 100% renewable energy systems integration across electricity, heat, and transport sectors, alongside analysis of socio-political challenges in structural change processes and the political economy of fossil fuel phase-outs. Oei's work notably incorporates gender aspects in just transition frameworks and addresses contemporary energy challenges including responses to the Russian energy crisis and nuclear phase-out implications. His research methodology combines quantitative system modeling with qualitative policy analysis to develop practical transition pathways.

Recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on comparative coal phase-out analysis across different national contexts (Germany, UK, Poland, South Africa), just transition policy frameworks, and energy security challenges in the current geopolitical context. His work shows increasing attention to Global South perspectives and gender-inclusive transition approaches, reflecting his leadership in the TRAJECTS center. Oei's research output combines academic rigor with policy relevance, frequently addressing immediate energy challenges while developing long-term transition pathways.

Oei has contributed significantly to German coal phase-out policy development, worked with the German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU), and serves as managing editor of the Journal Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy (EEEP). His research group 'CoalExit' has produced influential analyses on the Garzweiler II mine and Lützerath preservation, commissioned by organizations including Greenpeace and BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN. Through CoalTransitions, he facilitates international knowledge exchange on coal phase-out experiences across 25 research institutions.

Based at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Environmental, Social and Humanities Sciences at EUF, Oei's work bridges technical energy system analysis with social science perspectives. His research group utilizes modeling tools like GENeSYS-MOD for renewable energy scenario development while maintaining strong connections to policy implementation challenges in coal regions. The TRAJECTS center under his leadership represents a significant effort to reframe energy transition discourse through Global South perspectives and equitable North-South-South cooperation.