Electricity
The changing dynamics of European electricity markets
Est. 4minThe recently adopted electricity market reform sees the state becoming a major financial intermediary in the European electricity sector, with implications for its approach to recovering costs
A smart industrial policy to fast-charge Europe’s electric vehicles revolution
Est. 5mins decarbonisation compatible with industrial competitiveness? As the European elections approach fast, it will be one of the guiding questions of the upcoming EU institutional cycle.
Electricity pricing is Europe’s hidden industrial policy
Est. 6minThe subsidy race triggered by the energy crisis in 2022 showed how electricity policy is central to industrial policy. Addressing this at EU level will become even more important in the coming years as Europe moves to electrify transport and other sectors, argue Ben McWilliams, Giovanni Sgaravatti, Simone Tagliapietra, and Georg Zachmann.
2024-2029: Five years to deliver the Green Deal’s mobility promises
Est. 5minThe upcoming EU Elections are the opportunity to debate and design the framework to make the electromobility transition a success for climate, people and businesses, write Celine Domecq and Julia Poliscanova.
A new opening for Polish-German energy relations
Est. 7minFor many years Poland and Germany have failed to agree on important energy matters. The change of government in Poland and the Russian aggression in Ukraine provide an opportunity for a new opening for Polish-German energy relations, write Agata Łoskot-Strachota and Georg Zachmann.
How Europe can unlock the huge potential of ‘batteries on wheels’
Est. 5minA market failure is preventing EV owners from using their cars’ batteries to power their homes and back up local grids. Following up on its Grid Action Plan, the Commission needs to propose the necessary regulatory measures to give drivers a right to bidirectional charging, writes William Todts.
Electricity market reform must rethink energy efficiency for renewables era
Est. 4minThe thinking around energy efficiency is still stuck in the fossil fuel era, says Sofie Irgens. We must move on from focusing on fuel economy and ramp up discussions on electrification, flexibility and reducing demand, she argues.
For a real ban on electricity disconnections
Est. 7minNew provisions in the EU's electricity market rules call on EU governments to ensure vulnerable households are protected from disconnections, but does not explicitly ban them, notes Sarah Coupechoux. Alternative solutions exist, such as deferred payments, social tariffs or reduced power deliveries via smart meters, she writes.
Finalising the EU’s electricity market redesign for the benefit of small consumers
Est. 4minA reform of the European electricity market is needed to give small consumers access to continuous, more affordable energy that is as carbon-free as possible. The introduction, for example, of a mechanism that removes from the mix carbon-free power plants that are too costly, will help reduce prices for customers, writes Thierry Bros.
Consumers sharing cheap renewable electricity? It’s possible, if EU really wants to
Est. 5minEnergy sharing under the EU’s proposed electricity market design reform is under threat from opposition in the European Parliament, which could allow EU countries to limit it to neighbourhood-level only. This cannot be allowed to happen, writes Monique Goyens.
German subsidies for industry energy prices are the wrong remedy
Est. 6minBerlin wants to unilaterally interfere with industrial power prices, but its proposal is intrinsically flawed and raises serious concerns about its compatibility with EU law. Any temporary support should be linked to production levels, write Bernd Weber and Klaus-Dieter Borchardt. Bernd …
France’s nuclear power sector is not delivering
Est. 5minThe dominant player in France's energy sector Electricité de France (EDF) must leave room for smaller energy providers who offer an innovative alternative to the national nuclear energy champion model, writes Philippe Girard.
Positive energy neighbourhoods: Building a resilient and inclusive Europe
Est. 4minFaced with an energy crisis, Positive Energy Neighbourhoods (PENs) could become Europe’s solution for sustainable and energy-efficient urban spaces as it moves forward with the green transition, write Maarten De Groote and Gabi Kaiser.
Key issues at stake as EU electricity market reform nears finishing line
Est. 6minAnalyst Bram Claeys offers a quick side-by-side of the respective positions in the European Parliament and the Council of EU member states as negotiations near the finishing line.
EV charging in buildings – the missed opportunity in the EPBD
Est. 5minElectric vehicles are central to the energy transition as they can help integrate renewables and balance the electricity grid when demand is high. Yet, administrative complexities are holding up the deployment of charging points in buildings, writes Jayson Dong.
Europe needs a new energy security strategy
Est. 5minAlmost ten years after its launch, the EU’s energy security strategy needs to be rewritten in light of the climate crisis and Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine, writes Joanna Mackowiak Pandera.
The local dimension of the EU’s transition to renewable electricity
Est. 4minLocal and regional authorities across Europe have a big role to play in facilitating the green transition and creating a clean energy supply. Citizens, SMEs and stakeholders should have the opportunity to invest and be involved in local power generation facilities, writes Josef Frey.
Distorting electricity markets with new peak shaving product is dangerous business
Est. 8minAn electricity price peak shaving product is a dangerous business as it risks reducing welfare and threatens to lower incentives to invest in electricity production, writes Lion Hirth.
Fast-track to the energy union is the best consumer protection around
Est. 5minA well-functioning internal market must be at the centre of the EU’s electricity market reform. This means some elements of the proposed reform need to go because they put energy projects across Europe seriously at risk, writes Morten Helveg Petersen.
Electricity market reform: what’s not in the proposal
Est. 6minCaution is needed to prevent the EU's ongoing electricity market reform from creating regulatory uncertainty and hindering future investment in renewables, argue Christopher Jones and Klaus-Dieter Borchardt.
A sea of change: Energy security in the Baltic region
Est. 6minThe Baltic Sea region's shift towards offshore wind and its pivot away from Russian energy supplies is changing the Baltic energy security dynamics while increasing the region’s dependence on offshore and maritime energy infrastructure, writes Lukas Trakimavičius.
Protecting electricity consumers from (more) price shocks
Est. 8minConsumers could be protected from future price shocks by hedging through the retail market, public payments or investments - at costs that need to be carefully considered, writes Lion Hirth.
Electricity market design: one size won’t fit all
Est. 6minThe energy crisis has highlighted imperfections in the EU power market. The current rules were created almost 30 years ago with the aim to incentivise large conventional power plants, but they now need to be adapted to new challenges, write Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera and Aleksandra Gawlikowska-Fyk.
How to prepare our grids for electric trucks
Est. 6minTrucks represent less than 2% of Europe’s vehicles but cause 25% of road transport emissions, and their electrification is key to meeting the EU's climate goals. Decision makers, energy regulators, and grid operators should move quickly to optimise the charging infrastructure, writes Julia Hildermeier.