The debate on EU energy market design is well underway and demand response and consumer empowerment must be central to any reform. Indeed much evidence proves that demand response can be a reliable and low-cost energy resource that brings many co-benefits, in particular cost-effective integration of variable renewable energy into the power system and lower energy prices for consumers.

“We are not making the most out of demand-side response, a failure that’s costing up to €100 billion a year. That’s almost €200 for every citizen in Europe,” said Commissioner Arias Cañete at the London Energy Forum.

Demand response would support a dynamic and innovative internal energy market (IEM), creating new revenue streams for local businesses and households. Join the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) and the Smart Energy Demand Coalition (SEDC) for the Demand Response Symposium 2015—the largest event dedicated to demand response in Brussels.

The Symposium will focus on the market rules and regulatory framework needed to ensure genuine consumer empowerment, central to delivery of the Energy Union vision for greater energy security and increased competitiveness.

Key policymakers, representatives from consumer organizations, leading aggregators, and technology providers will debate with the audience about concrete steps needed to truly empower consumers to benefit from their flexibility and actively contribute to the energy transition.

Speakers include:

• Claude Turmes, MEP Greens/EFA
• Marie Donnelly, Director Renewables, Research and Innovation, Energy Efficiency, DG Energy
• Frédéric Thoma, Attaché Energy, Permanent Representation of Luxembourg
• Alberto Pototschnig, Executive Director, ACER (tbc)
• Heidi Ranscombe, Senior Public Affairs Advocate, Citizens Advice
• Goran Strbac, Chair in Electrical Energy Systems, Imperial College London