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{{cquote|Energy as a commons? With paradigms , new markets and opportunities arising with digitalising in the energy sector and democratising means of production and distribution, how can regulation be designed in such a way that energy systems in these markets are equitable and ensure participation across society?}}
The Committee on Regional development in Heidelberg will focus on the power shift from '''centralised to decentralised''' distribution systems. With EU citizens' growing awareness of '''environmental issues''', new '''technological developments''' and '''[[Smart_grid|smart power grids]]''' on the horizon, a shift towards a distributed system that includes consumers and turns them into co-producers is a possible future for Europe's energy union. There are many challenges that have to be met before such a transfer can take place: The '''liberalisation''' of the energy market is still not fully implemented and few investments are in place to fund distributed systems. Moreover, the data recorded through power grids raises questions concerning '''data storage''' and '''protection''' and there is currently no strategy on who would regulate a European-wide power grid and how. Finally, many citizens seem to be “energy illiterate”, lacking the necessary knowledge to participate in a new decentralised system. To overcome these obstacles and ensure a bright future for distributed systems in the energy union is what REGI will cover in committee work and resolution.<br />
The [[SET-Plan|European Strategic Energy Technology Plan]] (SET-Plan) aims to accelerate the development and deployment of low-carbon technologies. It seeks to improve new technologies and bring down costs by coordinating national research efforts and helping to finance projects.<br />
The [[Trans-European Energy Networks]] (TEN-E) – are programmes set up by the EU for the implementation of the European Single Market. The Trans-European Networks aim at "linking island, landlocked and peripheral regions with the central regions of the community”.
== Conclusion ==
Moving on from a past of the traditional power grids is hampered by various present obstacles such as distribution and transmission system operators as well as energy service companies stuck in the past, lacking knowledge of consumers and possible security risks. The rewards for a transfer towards smart power grids include an energy efficient, decentralised system that includes consumers as co-producers and pushed for the systematic decarbonisation of Europe's energy production.
== Links for further Research ==