Legal Aspects of Energy Management WF-OB-POLAEM
Course description: Legal Aspects of Energy Management
This course provides an overview of the legal frameworks governing energy management, with a particular focus on renewable energy sources (RES), energy efficiency, and local energy governance. It covers national and EU-level regulations, licensing systems, and instruments supporting sustainable energy development. Special attention is given to legal responsibilities of municipalities (gminy) in planning, managing, and implementing energy-related tasks, including public procurement, local energy plans, and environmental requirements. The course aims to build an understanding of how law shapes energy transition and supports climate and energy policy goals.
Course objectives:
To present the legal foundations of energy management in national and EU law, including the legal status of energy carriers and energy infrastructure.
To provide knowledge on legal mechanisms promoting renewable energy sources (RES) and their integration into the energy system.
To explain the regulatory instruments supporting energy efficiency, including obligations, incentives, and control mechanisms.
To examine the legal competencies and responsibilities of municipalities (gminy) in the field of local energy policy, including planning, investment, and cooperation.
To introduce the tools of administrative law (e.g. permits, environmental decisions, public consultation) used in energy-related projects.
To develop the ability to analyze and interpret legal acts in the context of energy policy implementation.
To promote legal awareness in the field of sustainable energy development, especially with regard to environmental protection and public interest.
(in Polish) Dyscyplina naukowa, do której odnoszą się efekty uczenia się
(in Polish) Grupa przedmiotów ogólnouczenianych
(in Polish) Opis nakładu pracy studenta w ECTS
Term 2024/25_Z: 4 ECTS = 100 hours
30 hours – lectures
35 hours – preparation for classes
35 hours – preparation for the exam | Term 2025/26_Z: 1 ECTS = 30 hours
15 hours – lectures
5 hours – preparation for classes
9 hours – preparation for the exam
1 hour - consultation |
Subject level
Learning outcome code/codes
Type of subject
Preliminary Requirements
Course coordinators
Term 2021/22_Z: | Term 2023/24_Z: | Term 2024/25_Z: | Term 2025/26_Z: | Term 2022/23_Z: |
Learning outcomes
• identifies and describes renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal),
• explains their functioning and potential for integration into national and EU legal frameworks,
• evaluates their environmental and socio-economic impacts in relation to existing legislation.
• formulates correct hypotheses based on logical premises concerning the causes of risks and conflicts in energy management,
• analyses case studies of legal disputes and environmental incidents related to renewable energy,
• justifies proposed explanations by referring to applicable legal frameworks.
• applies the values and principles of sustainable development when analysing legal aspects of resource management,
• evaluates energy policies and projects in terms of their compliance with sustainability principles,
demonstrates responsibility in proposing legal solutions that balance economic growth and environmental protection.
• undertakes actions that promote the well-being of communities while considering the needs of future generations,
• recognises the social dimension of energy management and its impact on human development,
• supports initiatives that integrate legal, environmental, and ethical perspectives for long-term societal benefit.
• demonstrates entrepreneurial thinking in addressing legal and environmental challenges in the energy sector,
• proposes innovative legal or managerial solutions for renewable energy implementation,
• takes initiative in identifying opportunities that combine compliance with law and sustainable business practices.
A. Knowledge
1.Student explains terminology and data in the field of renewable energy sources, understands the significance of legal frames of RES,
2. Student identifies the instruments of international, European, Polish law related to the renewable energy sources and institutional surrounding.
B. Skills
3.Student can construct conclusions from the facts presented to him and concepts regarding renewable energy sources law.
4.Student interprets the legal acts and, on the basis of them draws correct conclusions (examines the legal acts, finds the necessary acts).
C. Social competences
5. Student is able to work in a group, is critically interested and open to innovative achievements in the field of renewable energy sources law
Assessment criteria
Written exam
Grade 3
A
1.Student explains basic terminology and principles in the field of renewable energy sources, understand in general the significance of legal frames of RES and energy efficiency ,
2. Student identifies the basic instruments of international, European, Polish law related to the renewable energy sources and institutional surrounding
B
3. Student can construct basic conclusions from the facts presented to him and concepts regarding renewable energy sources law.
4. Student interprets in general the legal acts and, on the basis of them draws basic conclusions (examines the legal acts, finds the necessary acts).
C
5. Student is able to work in a group to some extend, is little critically interested and open to innovative achievements in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency law.
Grade 4
A
1.Student explains terminology and principles in the field of renewable energy sources, understand well the significance of legal frames of RES and energy efficiency ,
2.Student identifies well the instruments of international, European, Polish law related to the renewable energy sources and institutional surrounding.
B
3.Student can construct proper conclusions from the facts presented to him and concepts regarding renewable energy sources law.
4. Student interprets the legal acts well and, on the basis of them draws correct conclusions (examines the legal acts, finds the necessary acts).
C
5. Student is able to work in a group, is critically interested and open to innovative achievements in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency law.
Grade 5
A
1.Student explains very way terminology and principles in the field of renewable energy sources law, presents in-depth understanding of the significance of legal frames of RES and energy efficiency .
2. Student identifies very well the instruments of international, European, polish environmental law and institutional surrounding.
B
3.Student can construct very well conclusions from the facts presented to him and concepts regarding renewable energy sources law.
4. Student interprets the legal acts very well and, on the basis of them draws correct conclusions with complex explanation (examines the legal acts, finds the necessary acts).
C
5. Student is able to work in a group performing different roles, is very critically interested and very open to innovative achievements in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency law
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: