REKK is an independent research centre specialising in energy, water, and environmental economics. Through research, consultancy, and knowledge sharing, we shape sectoral regulation and corporate decision-making at both national and international levels, promoting economically efficient and environmentally sustainable market operations.
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What do we do?
We have been conducting analyses in the following areas for more than 20 years:
Electricity markets : our research covers the regulation and analysis of wholesale electricity markets, network issues and large consumer issues.
Natural gas markets : our research focuses on network issues. We provide consulting services to the entire vertical market, regulatory authorities and large consumers.
District heating sector : our research on the heat market primarily targets companies and regulation in the district heating production and service sector.
Water economics : our activities focus on the economic aspects of water utilities, catchment management and flood risk management.
Renewable energies: the spread, support and long-term effects of renewable energies are a key area of our research.
Decarbonisation : in addition to analysing pollution rights markets, we have prepared assessments of long-term decarbonisation policies and background studies for national energy and climate plans.
Other areas : In addition to our main areas of focus, we also deal with the transport sector, the energy consumption of small and medium-sized enterprises, and building energy issues.
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How do we work?
Modelling and data-driven analytic approach: In our studies, we perform data-driven, applied economic analyses. Among our models, the TIMES model, which covers the entire energy balance, is suitable for evaluating long-term policies and analysing regulatory scenarios. We use our sectoral electricity and natural gas models primarily for infrastructure assessment and fundamental scenario analysis. Our electricity models are capable of handling the unit commitment principle in addition to the classic merit order logic, and are suitable for simulating balancing energy markets as well as short-term product markets. Beyond energy markets, we also simulate the optimal utilisation of forest wood stocks and carbon sequestration.
Workshops and dissemination: We disseminate the results of our studies in several forums: we publish our shorter analyses in the form of policy briefs, which are the working papers of the research centre. Between 2009 and 2018, our publication Hungarian Energy Market Report provided a detailed analysis of developments in the Hungarian electricity and natural gas markets. We also present the results of some of our research at open workshops. Our latest analyses are also featured in our newsletter. Our research centre actively publishes in international economic literature, and our articles have appeared in prestigious journals such as Energy Policy, Climate Policy and Energy. Our researchers were regular contributors to the publication Competition and Regulation and the journal Közgazdasági Szemle.
Education and training: Since its establishment, the research centre has considered the training of future energy market professionals to be important. More than 500 professionals have completed our energy economics training programme at Corvinus University, which consists of 2010 hours of instruction. In close cooperation with ERRA, we have trained employees of energy regulatory authorities in almost every corner of the world. We also provide customised training for energy companies and regulatory authorities.
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What are our strengths?
Modelling and data-based analyses: our studies are based on a data-based approach and an economic perspective.
Independent research group: our project-based financing structure allows us to produce results independently of external influences.
Hungarian and international network: our experts maintain close relationships with industry professionals, Hungarian government actors and the international research community. We prepare our analyses for Hungarian regulatory authorities and government actors, as well as Hungarian and regional companies. We have participated in FP7 and Horizon 2020 research projects as a consortium partner. We have written numerous influential studies for the European Commission and other international organisations (Quo Vadis, SEERMAP, PECI).
