Betreff:                           Euroletter - March 2014

 

 

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March 2014

EDITORIAL

“The year of the DSO“ – this impression pops into one’s mind when taking the energy agenda of Brussels based institutions into account! In a rapidly changing energy landscape the role of DSOs’ has to be redefined and GEODE therefore is intensifying the dialogue with the Commission and CEER as well as other stakeholders. Therefore special attention is drawn to the retail energy market: The Commission will publish a Communication in Summer this year while GEODE is taking again the lead and dedicate this year’s Spring Seminar to “The role of the DSOs in the Retail Energy Market” which takes place on 13 May in Brussels! We hope to see you all at this occasion. Please read below for further information!

Carmen Gimeno, GEODE Secretary General

EUROPE

European Energy Council, 20-21 March 2014

After a two-day summit the European Energy Council ended in Brussels with EU leaders tasking the European Commission to come up with a plan for decreasing energy dependence, primarily from Russia. The Council also focused on the “regular" energy agenda topics, such as:

  • The EU target for 2030 for greenhouse gas emission reductions will be fully in line with the agreed ambitious EU objective for 2050. Such an agreed EU policy framework should be based on the following principles: improve coherence between greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy efficiency and the use of renewables and deliver the objectives for 2030 in a cost-effective manner; supportive EU framework for advancing renewable energies and ensure international competitiveness; flexibility for the Member States as to how they deliver their commitments;
     
  • The European Council invites the Council and the Commission to elaborate mechanisms which will result in an overall fair effort sharing and foster the modernisation of the energy sector and to review the Energy Efficiency Directive in a timely manner and develop an energy efficiency framework.
     
  • The objectives of completing the internal energy market by 2014 and developing interconnections so as to put an end to any isolation of Member States from European gas and electricity networks by 2015 remain a priority. Therefore a speedy implementation of all the measures to meet the target of achieving interconnection of at least 10 % of their installed electricity production capacity for all Member States is needed, as well as an effective and consistent implementation of the Third Energy Package by all players in the European energy market while applying and enforcing the EU rules regarding market integration and energy efficiency.
     
  • Europe's high gas energy dependency rates should be reduced, especially for the most dependent Member States. Moderating energy demand through enhanced energy efficiency should be the first which will also contribute to other energy and climate objectives. The European Council calls on the Commission to conduct an in-depth study of EU energy security and to present by June 2014 a comprehensive plan for the reduction of EU energy dependence

The European Council calls for sustained efforts to moderate the energy costs borne by energy end-users, in particular through:

  • a progressive evolution of support mechanisms for renewables to a more cost-effective and market-based system and more convergence of national support schemes beyond 2020;
     
  • sustained investment in energy efficiency and demand-side management all along the value chain and at the R&D stage;
     
  • fuller use of the electricity generation capacity available on the internal market rather than relying on national capacities alone;
     
  • promotion of domestic resources and of competition on gas supply markets and addressing the issue of the contractual linkage of gas and oil prices.

In addition, the European Council calls on the Member States to further examine their different national practices on energy policy levies, tax components of prices and network costs, with the objective of minimising negative consequences for energy prices. Please go here for the full Council conclusions!

European Commission Berlin Energy Forum

The first Berlin Energy Forum, hosted by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and chaired by Mr Dominique Ristori, Director-General for Energy, was held on 10 and 11 February 2014 in Berlin. The high-level EC event aimed to encompass a debate on some main issues of cross cutting interest, including the 2030 energy and climate framework, understanding of the role of the different energy sources in Europe’s energy mix, security of supply and the energy costs and prices. The Berlin Forum was considered an excellent example of the cooperation and dialogue across sectors. The key conclusions of the Berlin Energy Forum included:

  • The need for close relations between national and European Energy policies.
     
  • Broad support for the architecture of the EC 2030 framework and the three key objectives of energy policy: competitiveness, sustainability and security of supply for 2030.
     
  • The 40% Greenhouse Gas reduction target was advocated as well as discussion on proposed binding target at EU level for Renewable Energies of at least 27% for 2030.
     
  • Agreed on the importance of energy efficiency to achieve the objectives of energy policy for which urgent actions are needed.
     
  • Recognized that the completion of the Internal Energy Market is the key precondition for the cost effective achievement of the energy policy objectives to be met.
     
  • The biggest challenges towards the completion of the internal energy market include the coherent application of rules, the integration of renewables and capacity mechanisms that need to be designed in conformity with the internal market.
     
  • Full support for energy prices and cost development, however more actions and monitoring are requested.
     
  • The following actions at EU and national level were considered essential to assure security of supply and to keep costs and prices in check: Providing stable investment conditions, diversifying energy resources, investing in technology and innovation.
     
  • Agreed that all sources of energy are needed to make the transition towards a competitive low carbon economy, only achieved by mutual trust and confidence.


All presentations given at the forum are available here!

2020 Horizon Info Day “Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy – 2014: Distribution and Retail Market.”

On 12 February 2014 DG CONNECT, European Commission, held an Info Day on “Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy – 2014: Distribution and Retail Market chaired by representatives of DG CONNECT. The attendees were informed on calls put out within the framework of the Commission’s work programme 2014-15 of the Horizon 2020 on “Secure, clean and efficient energy” divided into 4 chapters: Energy Efficiency, Competitive Low-Carbon Energy, Smart Cities and Communities, SMEs and Fast Track for Innovation for Energy. Calls for “Distribution grid and retail market” were incorporate under those of “Competitive Low-Carbon Energy” (LCE7).

  • DG Connect outlined that ICT is the key to “smarten up the electricity grid’ and highlighted the need for investments. The following challenges need to be considered:
  • The integration and validation of ICT solutions to grid challenges concentrating on demonstrations in real user environments of system integration and market deployment.
  • Required support for Smart Grids and smart metering by an ICT infrastructure with stringent requirements on e.g. availability and low latency.
  • The main challenge is cost effectiveness.
  • Implications of standards and regulatory framework

Further issues identified in the view of the main scope:

  • Validation of smart grid services provided in an open and competitive market including services for distributed renewable energy production and consumption, and demand response systems.
  • Demonstration of innovative services to improve medium and low voltage network monitoring and control, for local dispatching of distributed generation, for grid asset maintenance and management combined with new business models for demand response.
  • Deployment of a flexible architecture for smart metering systems decoupling metrology from user functionalities and allowing for smart grid functionalities to be added during system exploitation in a plug and play way by taking into account connection to BMS, intelligent appliances, local generation and storage.

The 3 points mentioned above regarded as ‘ Innovation Actions’ identified the need for new policies, market rules, legislation, incentives, tariffs as well as societal research addressing e.g. data security, public acceptance, citizens’ benefits.

Further actions should be taken such as coordination and support actions that fall under the scope of cost benefit analysis of deployment options for smart grids ICT infrastructure with a special focus on the costs (capital and operational), business models and benefits for different actors, an analysis that has to be done in the context of the present regulatory frameworks (both for energy and telecommunications) and further examination of the possible distortions in current compensations and incentives towards the different options. For more information please go here!

GEODE PUBLICATION

GEODE Report “Gas works. The Future of Gas Distribution Networks”

DSOs are key to Europe meeting the energy challenges of the future. GEODE has produced a new report” Gas works. The Future Role of Gas Distribution Networks. Delivering Gas to Consumers” to demonstrate the central role the gas Distribution System Operators have to play in the design of the energy market of the future. GEODE’s report shows how the traditional role of the gas DSO is changing as DSOs move from being only gas transporters distributing gas efficiently and safely to the consumers to providing innovative services to consumers and enabling interoperable solutions to market participants. The DSO has a key role to play through its operational activities to ensure it meets the needs of gas suppliers and their customers. GEODE’s report makes key recommendations for the European Commission and regulatory bodies to support gas networks and to allow them to play a key role in the design of the energy market of the future.

GEODE MEMBERS - UPDATE

Largest Solar Power Plant in the Nordic Countries!

Together with a local entrepreneur Mälarenergi has been making the so far largest solar power plant in the Nordic countries a reality, with > 1 MW installed peak production. Mälarenergi will also participate in an interesting project together with the local educational institute Mälardalens Högskola to measure impacts to the local grid.

Facts about the plant

  • 91 Photovoltaics, double axis mounted, following the sun, each 72m2
  • Cover an area of 40000 square meters
  • Expected yearly production of 1.200 kWh

Göteborg Energi’s biogas venture makes transportation greener!

By gasifying forestry residues, Göteborg Energi takes biogas production to a whole new level. Wednesday, March 12, GoBiGas, a demonstration plant for the large scale production of biogas, was inaugurated. The gasification technology in GoBiGas makes it possible to produce biofuel that will annually supply 15,000 cars or 400 buses. Please go her to see the press release!

GEODE EVENT

GEODE Spring Seminar, Brussels, 13 May 2014

“The future role of the DSOs in the Energy Retail Market”

Please see the event’s agenda and registration form!

GEODE - Avenue Marnix 28 - 1000 Brussels

info@geode-eu.org - www.geode-eu.org

SUMMARY

EDITORIAL

EUROPE
• European Energy Council
• EC Berlin Energy Forum
• 2020 Horizon Info Day “Secure, Clean and E
fficient Energy – 2014: Distribution and Retail Market.”

GEODE PUBLICATION
• Report “Gas works. The Future of Gas Distribution Networks”

GEODE MEMBERS – UPDATE
• Mälarenergi’s new solar power plant
• Göteborg Energi’s new biogas plant

GEODE EVENTS
• GEODE Spring Seminar, Brussels, 13 May 2014 - “The future role of the DSOs in the Energy Retail Market”

AGENDA

GEODE Launch Event of Report "Gas works. The Future of Gas Distribution Networks"
Brussels, 1 April 2014

GEODE WG Smart Grids
Berlin, 24 April 2014

GEODE Launch of Svensk Energi Report “Our Electricity – what really lies ahead?”
Brussels, 28 April 2014

EC Regulatory Gas Forum
Madrid, 6 & 7 May 2014

GEODE Launch Event of Report “Flexibility in Tomorrow’s Energy Systems – the DSOs’s approach”
Brussels, 12 May 2014

GEODE Spring Seminar
Brussels, 13 May 2014

EC Regulatory Electricity Forum
Florence, 20 & 21 May 2014

PUBLICATIONS

EC Public Consultation on Retail Energy Market
22.1.-17.4.14

EC Public Consultation on Progress towards the 2020 energy efficiency objective and a 2030 energy efficiency policy framework
3.2.-28.4.14

EC Public Consultation on the Establishment of the annual priority lists for the development of network codes and guidelines for 2015 and beyond
26.2.-9.5.14

EC Publication “The European Files: Energy & Climate - What Strategies for Europe"
25.3.14

CEER Assessment of electricity generation adequacy in European countries
3.3.14

CEER Memo on regulatory aspects of energy investment conditions in European countries
7.3.14

CEER Position on the European Commission's Policy Framework for Climate and Energy 2020-2030
13.3.14

CEER Public Consultation Data Management for Better Retail Market Functioning
5 November 2013

ENTSOG Annual Report 2013
19.3.14

ACER Negative Opinion on the Network Code on Electricity Balancing
21.3.14