The upcoming FSR Talks session will explore the role of the EU in energy transition pathways in the Global South.

Speakers will discuss the EU’s strategic initiatives in this regard, the implementation pathways and impacts they are intended to have, and the importance of gender aspects in energy transition. The session will also examine the interactions between the global north and south and how efforts can be accelerated to realize a shared energy transition vision.

Background

The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the need to address climate change and achieve sustainable development goals. As countries strive to decarbonize their economies and transition towards renewable energy sources, the role of the European Union (EU) in shaping energy transition pathways in the Global South has become increasingly significant.

The EU has been at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change and promote renewable energy. Through its ambitious policies and initiatives, such as the European Green Deal, Cross Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), etc the EU has set clear targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in its energy mix. These efforts have not only transformed the EU’s own energy sector but have also had a significant impact on global energy markets and policies.

In the Global South, countries are faced with the dual challenge of meeting growing energy demand while also transitioning to a more sustainable energy system. The EU, with its experience and expertise in energy transition, can play a crucial role in supporting these countries in their efforts. This includes providing technical assistance, sharing best practices, and facilitating access to finance and technology.

The FSR Talks series monthly invites policy-makers and academics to talk about relevant topics related to energy and climate regulation addressed to a global audience. It is co-hosted by Prof. Lucila de Almeida representing the European University Institute/Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies/Florence School of Regulation ((EUI/RSCAS/FSR), Carol Awuor from the African School of Regulation (ASR), and Swetha Ravi Kumar from FSR Global based in India.

Speakers

Delphine Brissonneau | Senior Program Manager at the EU Delegation in India

Prof. Ummu Salma Bava | Jawaharlal Nehru University

Invited Discussant

Dr. Parul Bakshi | Research Fellow, FSR Global

Co-Hosts

Swetha Ravi Kumar | Executive Director, FSR Global

Prof. Lucila Almeida | Part-time Professor, EUI/RSCAS/FSR

Carol Awuor Ofafa | Research Associate, ASR – African School of Regulation

Organised by Transport Area of the Florence School of Regulation (FSR-Transport), RSCAS, European University Institute in collaboration with European Commission – Directorate-General for Competition

Background

Rail transport and Inland Waterway are crucial for achieving the objectives outlined in the Green Deal agenda. These goals include a 55% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 and attaining climate neutrality by 2050. The Railway Guidelines have been playing a fundamental role within this context, enabling support for the transition to more sustainable transport modes. They aimed at endorsing Member States investments necessary for the completion of the single transport area, the green and the digital transitions (together with other State aid Guidelines).

Since their adoption in 2008, around 75 measures were found compatible with the Treaty based on the Railway Guidelines, particularly concerning State aid for the coordination of transport, with a total budget of over EUR 9 billion aimed at encouraging a modal shift from road to rail freight transport. The main objective of the Railway Guidelines upon their adoption was to accompany the sectorial policy towards full liberalisation of the rail sector and the completion of a Single European rail market in which full interoperability is ensured. Further, the Railway Guidelines were established with the aim of facilitating the restructuring of a sector marked by significant indebtedness.

In 2020, however, the fitness check of these guidelines showed that they are outdated. EU policy priorities in the context of the Green Deal put more emphasis on a modal shift to modes of transport which are less polluting than roads, such as rail and inland waterways. This modal shift should contribute towards meeting the emissions reduction target set for 2050. Parallel to this, rail markets have now been fully liberalised following the adoption and implementation of the 4th Railway Package (which was not the case when the 2008 Railway Guidelines were adopted). Hence, the Commission launched the revision of the State aid rules applicable to rail transport to bring them into complete alignment with the Union’s key priorities. It aims to support the shift towards more sustainable transportation modes and implement additional procedural facilitations for aid measures in the field of greener land and intermodal transport via block exemptions. The Commission also aims to protect the level playing field within the railway market. In pursuit of these goals, the European Commission is also considering adopting block exemption regulations in the field of Land transport, in line with Article 93 of the Treaty.

The Forum, co-organised by the Transport Area of the Florence School of Regulation together with the European Commission’s DG COMP, will tackle the following questions:

(1) Operating aid: How do we support modal shifts, both in passenger and freight, new services, new connections, and innovation in transport organisations?

(2) Investment aid for infrastructure: How to promote new infrastructure, in particular supporting service facilities (multimodal terminals, terminals in ports, maintenance facilities and beyond), addressing both the funding gap and maximising available resources while ensuring proportionality?

(3) Investment aid for mobile equipment: How do we support access to mobile equipment, the modernisation and greening of such equipment, and interoperability while ensuring a level playing field?

Please kindly note that participation at this Forum is by invitation only.

Urban nodes along the trans-european transport network: how can stakeholders work together?

The 13th Florence Intermodal Forum, organised by the Transport Area of the Florence School of Regulation in collaboration with the European Commission – DG MOVE, will gather European and national- regulators, public transport operators, industry representatives and academics for a discussion on the challenges and enablers when discussing urban nodes.

Background

As stated in the 2021 EU urban mobility framework, Europe is one of the most urbanised regions in the world, with a huge variety of cities that are important hubs of economic and social activity. As main connection points, urban nodes (cities and their surroundings) are key components of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T), the backbone of the Single European Transport Area, and essential for a well-functioning single market.

Congested rail and road networks, trains, trams, buses and metros can face constraints that hinder not only the flow of traffic within the urban node but also along the entire TEN-T network.

More suitable infrastructures are needed to facilitate traffic flows within, around and through urban nodes. Urban nodes should make the first and last miles of journeys or transit travel smoother for both passengers (and freight). Multimodal passenger hubs should serve as a main gateway between the urban nodes and the TEN-T network. These should be complemented by an increased sustainable urban mobility offer, building upon a strong public transport system. This means, for example, multimodal hubs with stations/stops that are effectively interconnected with urban rail, metro, tram, bus, coaches, shared mobility services and better and bigger park and ride facilities, and that are better equipped with appropriate bike parks and publicly accessible recharging and refuelling points for low- and zero-emission vehicles.

The TEN-T Regulation has been revised in that regard. It includes an extended list of urban nodes (431) and for the first time sets out new functional requirements for them.

What are the specific issues to be addressed?

Many stakeholders in these urban nodes are newcomers in the TEN-T world. This means that they will have to be integrated to work on a functioning network. Therefore, urban nodes are also a means to establish and reinforce the links between key stakeholders and the specific transport policy roles: national ministries in charge of long-distance transport, cities, local and regional authorities in charge of urban mobility and of transport, public transport operators, rail operators, logistics companies, urban planners, and others more.

The challenge is that work at the level of urban nodes is just about to start. There are no common coordination principles to implement the objectives of the TEN-T policy for urban nodes so far, not to mention the fact that there is often a misunderstanding of what urban nodes are: are they entities within cities, cities themselves, so-called “functional cities”, metropolitan areas or something else? Facilitating the establishment of a local set-up that allows for coordination/interaction between these stakeholders is therefore vital, not to mention the fact that the definition of an urban node and its governance are of course closely linked.

This 13th Intermodal Forum will discuss the question of the coordination of urban nodes: What would be appropriate, basic and commonly agreed mechanisms? Who could/should be in charge of coordinating and representing the stakeholders of an urban node? Is there a one-size-fits-all structure or at least some common principles? What options could be envisaged?

“Implementing Network Codes” (INC) is a collaborative and interdisciplinary research project focusing on the implementation of EU electricity market laws.

About the INC project

INC examines the rulemaking process of market and system operation guidelines and their underlying terms and conditions or methodologies (TCMs) to analyse the impact on the integration of the European electricity market.

The 4-year project runs until 2024, and is funded by the Research Council of Norway, with co-funding from Norwegian stakeholders. It is led by the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, and an international team of scholars from political science, law and economics work in close collaboration with industry experts, user partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Purpose:

Showcase results from the research project Implementing Network Codes 1 and get feedback to ongoing research; link up to discussions of ongoing/prospective discussions on the internal electricity market from perspectives of law, politics, and markets.

Session 1: Applying and enforcing the TCMs

The session will focus on what happens after TCM adoption by ACER, or agreement among NRAs in a region, including TCM adoption via individual decisions by each NRA, and the process for adopting TCMs within the EEA EFTA countries. The session will also showcase examples from regional cooperation in the Nordic and Core regions, as well as from the European level.

Session 2: After EMD: what next for network codes and TCMs?

A major development that emerged from the previous legislative reform (Clean Energy Package) was the code on demand response and a new European DSO entity. The ongoing electricity market reform (EMD) could also have implications for prospective work on network codes and guidelines (re-starting CACM revision), and the terms, conditions and methodologies (TCMs). What can we expect from these processes in the aftermath of EMD adoption? Given the EU’s 2050 climate ambitions, the electricity sector would need to decarbonise by 2040. How might this affect the processes for developing new, and revising existing, network codes, guidelines and TCMs?

Session 3: An offshore market design: How seaworthy are network codes and TCMs?

In principle, the EU electricity market regulation, including subsidiary rules like network codes, guidelines and TCMs would apply also to an offshore electricity market. However, this could create new problems, as seen with the discussion on offshore bidding zones in the ongoing EMD negotiations. The regulation of an offshore electricity network could potentially form part of a structural reform of the electricity market design in the next EU electoral cycle. This session will focus on the regulation of an offshore electricity market, and the application of NC/GL/TCMs offshore. The discussion could zoom in on the North Sea basin, where there is also collaboration with the UK and Norway, for illustration.

Session 4: Evolving role of ACER through crises and transition

What changes have materialised over time as regards to the role of ACER – formally and informally – within and beyond the regulation of the EU electricity market? What impact has the energy crisis had on the role and work of ACER? What are the prospects moving forward in a world of heightened geopolitics and energy transition? This session would discuss how ACER is getting a larger role as regards the energy transition agenda (cf. EP proposal to have ACER assess national flexibility plans) and the subsidiarity issues a greater role of ACER might entail. This session could link up to the discussion of a potential structural reform of the electricity market design in the next electoral cycle in the EU (2024-2029). While several tasks have been placed at regional and European levels, enforcement remains very much in national hands. The session could discuss whether more cooperation at regional and European level might be needed, e.g., moving beyond monitoring, capacity-building, and identification of best practices. Enhancing regulatory cooperation at EU level, including via ACER, also raises the issue of participation of non-EU NRAs as well as issues of accountability.

In this joint FSR-NYU episode of #FSRDebates, we explore the challenges, strategies, and evolving dynamics associated with electric transmission infrastructure in the context of the global energy transition. We analyze three distinct regions, shedding light on the varied approaches each takes to address imperatives such as sustainability, reliability, resilience, accessibility, and affordability within their energy systems.

Historically, electric grids have been co-planned with generation. However, the ongoing energy transition and ambitious decarbonization goals necessitate streamlining existing transmission infrastructure. In various parts of the U.S. and Europe, transmission bottlenecks are already severe and may impede the progress of the energy transition. Our discussion will encompass both regions’ strategies for elevating transmission as a priority on the political agenda.

The power grid in Africa is less integrated compared to Europe and the U.S. Nevertheless, the continent is rich in renewable resources for electricity generation. We will explore the region’s plans to unlock these resources, enhance energy access, and promote socio-economic development.

Additionally, we will examine alternatives to traditional transmission methods and elaborate on the role of modern grid technologies. We will scrutinize the advantages of planning a future energy system from scratch as opposed to remodeling existing suboptimal infrastructure. A significant portion of our discourse will focus on how climate change, extreme weather phenomena, a more weather-dependent generation resource mix, and potential demand growth due to electrification trends impact the necessity for transmission.
By presenting a tri-continental perspective, the debate will provide a nuanced understanding of regional intricacies, offering valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers alike.

Program

Moderators: 16.00 – 16.05

• Marzia Sesini, FSR
• Christoph Graf, NYU

Keynote Presentations 16.05-16.50 

• Maria Robinson – Director, US Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office
• Raphael Sauter – DG Energy, European Commission
• Amine Idriss Adoum – (Director Infrastructure, Industrialisation and Trade Directorate) AUDA NEPAD

Debate 16.50 – 17.20 

• Rob Gramlich – President, Grid Strategies LLC
• Federico Pontoni – Technologies for Energy Transition Director, FEEM
• Jan Kostevc – Team leader Energy Infrastructure, ACER

Conclusions  17.20-17.30

• Andris Piebalgs, FSR
• Christopher Jones, FSR

The upcoming edition of #FSRDebates will discuss the recently released report ‘Towards EU climate neutrality: progress, policy gaps and opportunities’ delivered by the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC). Lena Kitzing, FSR Part-Time Professor and ESABCC Member, a co-author of the report, will join us to present its findings. – Watch the recorded session 

The ESABCC was established by the European Climate Law of 2021 to provide the EU with scientific knowledge relating to climate change. In this report the Advisory Board takes stock of the progress towards climate targets and the consistency of climate action. It also presents scientific advice on policy actions supporting the achievement of climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest.

This debate will provide space to discuss key recommendations for a more effective implementation and design of the EU climate framework. The recommendations range from stepping up Member States’ efforts, adopting pending legislation, incentivising energy demand reduction, and phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, to streamlining policies, strengthening the governance framework, and adapting the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

Among other things, the debate will focus on which policy measures are best fit to reach the EU climate targets.

Programme

Introduction to the Debate and Opening Presentations

14.00 – 14.05  Introduction to the Debate

Ilaria Conti | Florence School of Regulation

14.05 – 14.20  The ESABCC Report: main findings

Lena Kitzing | Florence School of Regulation

14.20 – 14.30 Progress achieved and the remaining gaps: the policy perspective

Alban Kitous | DG CLIMA

Stefano Santacroce | DG CLIMA

Panel Discussion: Introductory Remarks, Polls and Comments

Moderator:  Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

14.30 – 14.50    Introductory remarks from the panellists

Albert Ferrari | FSR Climate

Sven Harmeling | CAN Europe

Paul Wilczek | Eurelectric

14.50 – 14.55    Polls

14.55 – 15.20    Comments on the polls outcome and Q&A from the audience

15.20 – 15.30    Concluding remarks

Ilaria Conti | Florence School of Regulation

Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

Celebrating two decades of impact in policy and regulation

This year, the Florence School of Regulation celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

#FSR20more

Twenty years of advancing knowledge have paved the way for what lies ahead. As we reflect on our milestones, we renew our commitment to enhancing research, training and policy dialogue to support regulators, policymakers, and industries in addressing climate change and shaping a sustainable future for all.

Exciting research topics, events, courses and many more novelties await us in the coming years.

Cheers!

A special event will take place in Florence on 3 July 2024, to celebrate these 20 years and to look forward.

Programme

Welcome address

Patrizia Nanz | President, European University Institute

A journey through the FSR: history, prospects, and shaping tomorrow

Leonardo Meeus | Director, Florence School of Regulation

Roundtable on “Europe at a cross-road: affordability, sustainability, autonomy”

Moderator: Erik Jones | Director, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies

Panellists:

Catharina Sikow-Magny | Director Green Transition and Energy System Integration, DG for Energy, European Commission
Nathalie Berger | Director, Support to Member State Reforms, DG Reform, European Commission
Clara Poletti | Board of Regulators Chair, ACER, and Commissioner, ARERA

FSR Insights continues to look at “Innovation in Energy”

In this FSR Insights, prof. Gert Brunekreeft will present his recent perspectives on incentive regulation for network companies, exploring in particular how specific innovation’s external or internal effects may call for different regulatory tools. Brunekreeft will also focus on regulatory tools promoting experiments and discuss the recent German experience (see his contributions here and here).- Watch the recorded session 

Innovation in energy networks is a non-negotiable ingredient for the energy transition. The shift to an energy mix dominated by renewable energy sources and the gradual electrification of final uses already challenge the traditional approach to grid planning and operation today. Network companies, either at the transmission or distribution level, must innovate to ensure cost containment, security of supply, and timely service delivery to their users.

However, network companies are heavily regulated businesses that react to the incentives and constraints introduced by regulators and policy-makers. Ensuring a regulatory framework conducive to innovation has been a long-standing focus of discussion. Countries in Europe and elsewhere have adopted different approaches to regulatory experimentation in energy, and a growing amount of evidence is now available on their efficacy (see, among others, Schittekatte et al., 2021).

Innovation is not a monolith; on the contrary, different types of innovation exist and are characterised by different features. Understanding these distinctions is crucial when selecting and designing regulatory tools to drive innovation in network companies. Brunekreeft will elaborate on this, discussing a market facilitation incentive mechanism, a digitalisation budget that applies sharing factors, and three alternative ways to enable risk-taking by network companies.

Filippo Bovera from Politecnico di Milano and Ellen Beckstedde from FSR will talk about prof. Brunekreeft’s contribution before opening the floor to questions from the audience.

Keynote speaker

Prof. Gert Brunekreeft | Constructor University Bremen

Discussants

Filippo Bovera | Politecnico di Milano

Ellen Beckstedde | FSR

FSR Insights is an online series hosted by Marzia Sesini and Nicolò Rossetto (FSR).

The Florence School of Regulation, in cooperation with the European Commission (DG MOVE), organises an all-day academic conference on the state of play on EU transport policy and the challenges and priorities for the future of EU transport and mobility.

The conference will provide input to the next Commission’s priorities in the transport and mobility field.

The Commissioner, Adina Vălean, and the Director-General, Magda Kopczyńska, will lead the opening session and give their concluding remarks.

The programme will focus on three thematic sessions moderated by Juan Monteiro, Director of the FSR Transport area:

• Session 1: Filling the gaps: delivering a deeper, more competitive and better connected Union
• Session 2: An inclusive twin transition in the field of transport: mission possible
• Session 3: Towards a wider Europe: revisiting our transport agenda in a changed geopolitical context

Alberto Pototschnig, FSR will contribute to Session 2.

Read more | Browse the programme

The theme of the session will be to understand UNEP’s work on the Loss and Damage Fund and the historic decision at the most recent COP, as well as the publication by UNEP on the Adaptation Gap Report, 2023 – Watch the recorded session 

The FSR Talks series monthly invites policy-makers and academics to talk about relevant topics related to energy and climate regulation addressed to a global audience. It is co-hosted by Part-time Professor Lucila de Almeida representing the European University Institute/Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies/Florence School of Regulation ((EUI/RSCAS/FSR), Carol Awuor from the African School of Regulation (ASR), and Swetha Ravi Kumar from FSR Global based in India.

Speaker

Dr. Alvin CHANDRA, Global Coordinator for Adaption Policy and Partnerships, oversees the Global Adaptation Network, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

Invited discussant

Prof. Ginevra Le Moli, Part-time Professor EUI/RSCAS/FSR

Host
Carol Awuor, Research Associate, ASR
Prof. Lucila de Almeida, Part-time Professor EUI/RSCAS/FSR

FSR Regulatory Policy Workshop Series 2023-2024

This workshop is by invitation only. Please note that the day before, the FSR is organising an Open Evening for prospective donors, and those participating will be exceptionally invited to join this workshop. For more information on the FSR Open Evening, please visit this page.

 Sustainability assessment

The FSR assesses the sustainability and carbon footprint of all its Workshops of the Regulatory Policy Workshop Series. This Workshop is run mainly ‘in presence’, with some exceptions for participation through internet-based remote connection. It is expected that most participants will join the Workshop in Florence to take advantage of the opportunity for more effective interaction and discussion. Those participants joining the event in Florence will be encouraged to offset any carbon emissions related to their air travel. It is considered that, in this way, a suitable balance is achieved between the effectiveness of the policy dialogue and the net carbon footprint of the event.

The Policy Advisory Council discusses the most topical regulatory and policy issues and debates and the relevance and robustness of the latest FSR research findings. The meeting gathers experts from the European Commission, the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), the FSR Energy Star and Major Donors and invited renowned academics.