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?
Contents
The Past: Distributing energy the traditional way
- The traditional power grid
- production - transmission - distribution - consumer
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?
The Future: Smart grids - an outlook to what is possible
The Present: Obstacles to be adressed
How can passive consumers turn into active prosumers? How are EU citizens currently involved in large-scale EU projects such as Connecting Europe Facility?
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 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”.