Europe has undertaken the great task of integrating the energy markets at the continental level. Much progress has been achieved thanks to comprehensive policy and regulatory efforts put forth to coordinate the objectives of all market participants in an open, fair and sustainable competitive market. Energy companies, Transmission System Operators, distribution utilities and every market agent has been tasked to align local policies and regulatory frameworks with a more and more comprehensive European regulatory framework that fosters cross-border exchange and cooperation.

FSR Summer School on Regulation of Energy Utilities will provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive view of the key regulatory principles, actions and implications of the current regulatory framework, highlighting the key challenges for the alignment of the industry with the policy goals of sustainability and security of supply.

The Summer School balances theory with practice with key practical case examples illustrated directly by the agents and decision-makers involved, including former and current energy regulators, renowned academics and professionals from leading energy companies.

The aim of the training is:

• To provide a comprehensive view of the institutional structure for energy regulation and policy making in Europe
• To contrast the electricity and gas industries recognizing the common and particular challenges that each sector is expected to face towards the completion of the European internal energy market
• To explore in depth the characteristics of the electricity and gas markets in Europe providing practical examples from Europe, North and South America
• To illustrate the European strategy for infrastructure development for gas and electricity through regulation and financing
• To demonstrate the challenges and new opportunities provided by the retail markets, active consumer participation and demand as valuable counterpart in the balancing of the system
• To discuss mechanisms to support renewable energy and ways of their development

• Theory and principles of regulation
• Restructuring of the power industry
• Traditional regulation
• Regulating quality of service
• The Price Coupling of Regions for the European electricity market
• Electricity transmission and distribution networks
• Renewable energy support mechanisms and electricity tariff design
• Retail electricity markets
• Gas markets and infrastructure

After completing the course the participant will be able to:

• Differentiate the European regulatory and policy making structure for the electricity and gas sectors.
• Assess the current state of implementation of the electricity and gas markets in the roadmap to  the internal energy market.
• Distinguish the particularities of the North and Latin American energy markets in comparison with the European energy sector (market and infrastructure.)
• Characterize the European regulatory framework for electricity and gas infrastructure.
• Recognize the challenges behind the implementation of retail markets, identifying the key ingredients needed for a successful retail market with active consumer participation.
• Identify the basic principles for implementation of support mechanisms and new tariff designs.

The course starts from basic introductory material and then aims to cover the major subjects of energy regulation in depth. Instructors will provide a lecture focusing on the key theoretical concepts complemented by real and current examples from the industry. Interactive tools and activities involving the participants are utilized to enhance the discussion and improve the learning experience.

The Summer School is highlights trainings giving participants an introduction to the topic with the newest updates from the field. The Highlights trainings give you an introduction to the topic with the newest updates from the field.

• Take your first step into energy regulation.
• Gain an understanding of key concepts.
• Cover the most essential and interesting topics.

The training is designed for professionals from energy companies and representatives from National and European Regulatory Authorities, but also academics and researchers. The training is open for those looking to develop a career in the energy regulation sector of the gas and electricity industry.

No specific academic background is required although the knowledge of engineering or economics is recommended.

A basic knowledge or experience in energy regulation or policy making is expected from the participants.

The training is given in English.

Participants will receive a response regarding their admission after the registration deadline.

Bernard Energy (BEA); the European Distribution System Operators’ Association (E.DSO); the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E); the Union of the Electricity Industry – Eurelectric (Eurelectric) and the Florence School of Regulation (FSR) have the pleasure to announce the call for the 4^th Ana Aguado Scholarship Award. 

Under this joint initiative, two student scholarships are offered by the above Partners for participation in the Summer School on Regulation of Energy Utilities course organised by the FSR from 6 to 10 July 2020.

This year, the Partners will allocate five other candidates ranked after the two winners with the opportunity to attend for free one online training course of their choice among those offered by FSR Energy. These five free seats will be valid between April 2020 and July 2021.

Candidatures should be sent to claire.boutry@edsoforsmartgrids.eu by 1 March 2020 and include the following documents in English:

• A Motivation Letter (max 2500 characters spaces included, written in Word or OpenOffice) explaining the reasons of your interest and the role this course could represent for your educational and professional life;
• A Short Essay (max 3500 characters spaces included, written in Word or OpenOffice) on the following topic: “Sector coupling is currently high on the European energy policy debate. Why is it the case and what does it mean for the energy industry?”
• A concise Curriculum Vitae (2 pages max).

Candidates should meet all the following criteria. If just one of the criteria is not met, candidates will not be considered as eligible:

• Ongoing or completed university education at Master’s Level in Economics, Electrical engineering, European/International policy/relations/law or similar
• Proven interest in the energy sector and familiarity with energy policy issues
• Fluent in English (the FSR course will be taught in English)
• Not more than 3 years’ work or research experience in the energy sector

Please note that any candidate not respecting the maximum length of the Motivation Letter or the Short Essay will be equally excluded from the selection process.

A Committee composed of representatives from the above Partners will assess all applications received and select two candidates by 6 April 2020. The scholarships will be also officially announced during the InnoGrid Conference organised by ENTSO-E and E.DSO in Brussels on 5-6 May 2020. The two winners will be also invited (with travelling expenses and participation fee covered) to the conference.

The registration fee for:

• FSR Donors or National Regulatory Authorities: 3.100 EUR
• Other organizations or companies, PhD students : 4.100 EUR

The registration fee covers:

• Course attendance
• Access to the online platform during the course
• Certificate of attendance
• Coffee breaks, lunches
• Guided tour of Florence and a group dinner in the city centre
• Shuttle transport between the city center and the training venue, back and forth