The transition to clean energy is changing the nature of Europe’s power systems. Increasing electrification in the heat and transport sectors, more active consumers and the need to accommodate greater shares of wind and solar are impacting the fundamental design and operation of distribution networks. With the rise in community energy and local markets for ener...

At the end of January 2020, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, ENTSO-E, opened a public consultation to solicit comments on its proposed methodologies associated with cross-border participation in capacity mechanisms. ENTSO-E is developing the methodologies in response to the requirement set out in the EU regulation on the inte...

For years European policymakers have been working toward an integrated, competitive energy system. Now the Clean Energy for All Europeans package directs Member States to develop a decarbonised, cost‑efficient energy system that provides consumers with access to affordable and secure energy. The urgency of this task is further heightened by climate concerns. Po...

The cost-efficient sharing of resources between Member States could save European consumers 8 billion euros annually by 2030 by reducing the need for investment in new resources to keep the lights on, according to the European Commission’s estimates. However, these benefits will largely remain unexploited if Member States continue with the current, uncoordinate...

Explicit demand response provides an opportunity for “aggregated” customers to participate in wholesale electricity markets and profit from their demand flexibility without the risks and costs presented by dynamic tariffs. In doing so, these customers can significantly reduce the price of energy purchased by suppliers by offering a competitive alter...

Five years after passing the Energy Act 2013, the government of Great Britain is conducting a review of the capacity market introduced by this legislation. The evaluation serves to determine whether the capacity market is still necessary and whether it is meeting the stated aims of ensuring cost-effective, secure supply. Government officials are also considering ...

Greater integration of wholesale energy markets in Europe holds enormous potential to benefit consumers in the region. The European Commission and others estimate that the increase in social welfare of fully integrating Europe’s electricity markets could exceed €40 billion annually by 2030. However, progress toward fully realising these public benefits dep...

The European Commission’s proposal to establish regional operational centres (ROCs) is a welcome step toward further integration of the EU internal electricity market. Yet, by expanding this proposal, policymakers could improve governance and the remit of the ROCs to ensure a truly regional, coordinated approach to efficient operation of Europe’s highly int...

Performance-based regulation (PBR) enables regulators to reform 100-year-old regulatory structures to unleash innovations within 21st century power systems. Our current electric system is built upon an old regulatory paradigm that ensured safe and reliable electricity at reasonable prices from capital-intensive electricity monopolies. Today, disruptive technologi...