Energy as a commons?

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 these markets are equitable and ensure participation across society?

Relevance

What are the flaws of the current centralised system? How would a distributed system look like? How can passive consumers turn into active prosumers? What roles do renewables play in a digitalised energy sector? How can digitalising the energy sector contribute to a distributed system? Is there currently a “beta version” of a grid system? What sources of knowledge are there currently for EU citizens to look into? What are microgrids and how do they work? How are EU citizens currently involved in large-scale EU projects such as Connecting Europe Facility?

Opportunities and Challenges

Questions to be answered in the resolution

How can consumers be turned into prosumers? How will power grids, distributed energy etc. be regulated? Who will manage the grid? Should renewable energy sources be in the focus?

Key Actors

EU Commission & DG on Energy Member States’ energy ministries and distribution systems Connecting Europe Facility EU citizens as “prosumers”

Measures in Place

Clean Energy Package http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-3986_en.htm http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-3961_en.htm https://ec.europa.eu/commission/priorities/energy-union-and-climate_en

SET-Plan The 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.

TEN-E The Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) – are programmes by the EU set up 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”.