Closing the flexibility gap with targets and policies

The growing deployment of renewable energy sources and the ongoing electrification of industry, transport, heating and cooling are driving an increasing need for flexibility across Europe’s power systems. Demand response and energy storage are expected to play an important role in providing this flexibility. While these resources are gradually entering electricity markets, barriers to their participation remain across both short-term (wholesale market, balancing markets, congestion management markets) and long-term (capacity mechanisms, non-fossil flexibility support schemes) timeframes.

This course, offered by the Energy Regulation Academy (EnRA), is designed to equip participants with the applied knowledge needed to foster the participation of flexibility resources across the sequence of electricity markets. Participants will learn from leading experts and practitioners about the specific regulatory and market considerations affecting demand response and energy storage. Adopting a transversal perspective, the course explores how regulatory frameworks and market design choices across short-term and long-term markets can either facilitate or hinder the participation of these flexibility resources.

The programme places strong emphasis on practical application and peer exchange. Participants will engage with real-world case studies, discuss implementation challenges with experts, and collaborate with peers and national practitioners during interactive workshops.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Gain knowledge of the role of demand response and energy storage in providing flexibility to integrate renewables and support electrification 
• Explain the role of short-term and long-term electricity markets in enabling flexibility in Europe 
• Understand current trends in the participation and value stacking of demand response and energy storage 
• Identify barriers limiting the participation of demand response and storage across the sequence of electricity markets 
• Evaluate short-term market design choices affecting flexibility participation, including qualification requirements, product design and consumer data management 
• Assess CRM and NFFSS design choices affecting flexibility participation, including contract design, integration of demand response and storage, and potential market distortions 

This course is designed for professionals involved in the implementation of EU electricity legislation and reforms. It is tailored to participants who contribute to policy design, regulatory decision-making, or the practical implementation of energy sector reforms at national level. Participation is reserved for members of the Energy Regulation Academy (EnRA) only.

The training is intended for:

• Professionals working directly on electricity regulation and energy policy within their organisations
• Representatives from national regulatory authorities, ministries, and public institutions
• Experts and practitioners involved in advancing regulatory reforms across Member States
• The course is open to participants with relevant professional experience in the field.

The training is delivered in English. Please note that only a limited number of participants will be admitted to ensure a high-quality learning experience.

The course follows a blended learning approach, combining online preparatory sessions with intensive residential training and a final online module to consolidate learning outcomes and reflect on key insights.   

• 8 February 2027, 10:00 – 11:00 | Online 
  Welcome and introduction 
• 12 February 2027, 10:30 – 15:30 | Online 
  Live session 
• 17-19 February 2027 | In-person 
  Residential module in Florence 
• 1 March 2027, 10:00 – 12:00 | Online 
  Closing module 

The course activities combine a range of interactive and self-paced learning components: 

• Live online sessions, including an intake module, live classes, and a final closing session 
• Residential training in Florence, focusing on applied learning, peer exchange, and case-based discussions 
• Learning Management System (LMS): Participants will also be able to engage with peers and experts through the Academy’s learning management system, which will support discussion, knowledge exchange, and continued collaboration after the residential training 
• Self-paced activities: Readings, video lectures, and forum discussions to reinforce key learning outcomes 
• Self-assessment quizzes: designed to help participants assess their understanding of key concepts and support the Academy’s learning and evaluation framework 
• A final knowledge consolidation activity bringing together key insights and participant contributions developed throughout the course 

Participants attending the training course will be awarded a Certificate of Participation 

Workload: 1 week (3 residential days / 2 days online, of which most are live sessions and limited self-paced reading/videos)

We have created a dedicated webpage where you can find all the practical and logistical information you need to prepare for your participation.
Please note that any updates will be published on this webpage, which should be considered your official reference for course logistics.
On this page, you will find guidance on:

• Getting to Florence and the training venue
• Hotel suggestions
• Reimbursement guidelines
• Cancellation policy
• Contact details
• Moving around Florence

We encourage you to review this information carefully to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.