FSR will present and discuss the recently published paper on “A conceptual framework for the evolution of the operation and regulation of electricity transmission systems towards a decarbonised and increasingly integrated electricity system in the EU”. The paper will be presented to the whole audience of relevant stakeholders and discussed by a panel where regulatory authorities, EU institutions, industry and academia will be represented.

Follow the livestream here!

Take our poll, and tweet your questions for the panel

Further information on the discussion theme

The transition towards low-carbon energy systems requires not only new rules, but also new roles. In particular the role of transmission networks and the role of transmission system operators are changing and need to evolve even faster over the coming years. The different time-scales for investments in generation and in networks should also be kept in mind. We will discuss how relevant stakeholders can take a leading role in transforming the way power systems are managed and operated in order to meet the twin targets of decarbonisation and increased market integration in the most efficient way. Because there are many uncertainties and some degrees of freedom as regards policy choices and their implementation, diverse future scenarios are conceivable. Therefore, our study provides a set of recommendations about appropriate regulatory paths and incentives that are conducive to different scenarios. The paper does not prescribe a mandatory solution – it offers a conceptual framework to assess and compare different options.

The objective of the FSR Annual Training on Regulation of Energy Utilities is to provide staff of regulatory authorities, market operators, market monitoring agencies and regulatory divisions of energy companies a comprehensive knowledge of the key energy regulatory principles needed in their professional practice. A successful student will understand the principles of regulation and the regulatory structure of the energy industry through theory and practice. The Annual Training provides different perspectives and experiences on energy regulation on topics such as regulatory models, monopolistic versus competitive activity, wholesale and retail energy markets, electric power transmission, quality of supply, fundamental legal procedures, tariff design and several others.

The Annual Training is divided in three blocks

1. Block I is a week-long introductory course in Florence covering in detail the fundamental principles of regulation.
2. The training continues with Block II, a seven-month online course during which energy regulatory principles and case studies are studied together in-depth in a well-structured, flexible e-learning environment that features interactive activities, discussions, webinars and individual and group virtual activities.
3. The training concludes with Block III, in which the participants return to Florence for a week-long discussion of applied case studies and hands-on individual and group practice. The final day of the Annual Training is represented by a workshop where top industry specialists are invited to discuss with participants a relevant issue for the policy-making and regulatory development of the energy industry.

For complete information about the Annual Training please visit the training’s website.

Florence School of Regulation & E-Control

External Energy Security is high on the European Union’s agenda and it is important to have an open and honest debate about the opportunities and challenges this may raise. The Florence School of Regulation and E-Control are pleased to collaborate on this topic and provide an opportunity to have such an useful discussion with the relevant stakeholders.

The workshop will discuss the following topics:

• A new energy policy for the European Union?
• Implementing Energy Policy: What needs to be done? New ambitions and strategies for the future.
• Going beyond national borders: is it really that difficult?

Each session will include a range of panelists representing regulatory authorities, EU institutions, industry and academia. After short presentations by the panelists we hope to engage in an open discussion with all the participants under Chatham House Rules.

ORGANISED WITH

Capacity mechanisms in the electricity sector have become a much debated topic in Europe. National electricity markets are increasingly interconnected and the cross-border implications of state subsidies must be carefully considered.

Join us in discussion of the FSR’s new book, ‘Capacity Mechanisms in the EU Energy Market’ which provides a first academic treatment of how capacity mechanisms work in policy and practice, and their possible consequences.

Editors: Leigh Hancher, Adrien de Hauteclocque, and Małgorzata Sadowska

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Forthcoming, September 2015

(*Image based on original idea by Monika Zsigri)

What does this book offer?

This conference is a joint initiative of the FSR Energy Law & Policy Area and the Belgian energy regulator CREG. It aims to foster discussion on regulated energy prices, an issue of particular importance not only for regulators, but also for the European energy industry and all energy customers.

The conference is divided into two sessions, which cover the topic both from law and policy, as well as economic perspectives.

The two sessions are followed by a roundtable of academics and industry experts, and complemented by a keynote speech by Anne Houtman from the European Commission presenting the EU approach to regulated prices. 

Participation in this conference is free of charge. Please register by emailing your details to creg-insights@creg.be. We will send you a confirmation message.

Presentations:

• Retail Price Regulation and EU Law: Mapping the Issues by Adrien de Hauteclocque – Download PDF
• Regulated Prices & EU Energy Law after the Federutility case by Francesco Maria Salerno – Download PDF
• The Economics of Regulated Prices: mapping the issue by Catherine Waddams – Download PDF
• Electricity Tariff Deficit: Temporary or Permanent Problem in the EU? by Asa Johannesson Linden, Fotios Kalantzis, Emmanuelle Maincent and Jerzy Pieńkowski –Download PDF
• Regulated energy prices – round table by Leonardo Meeus – Download PDF
• Pricing, competition and regulatory distortions – Are legalized drugs the future? by Lars Kjølbye – Download PDF
• The Law, Economics & Policy of Regulated Prices in Energy by Adrien de Hauteclocque – Download PDF

This book, co-edited by Jos Delbeke and Peter Vis,  explains the EU’s climate policies in an accessible way, to demonstrate the step-by-step approach that has been used to develop these policies, and the ways in which they have been tested and further improved in the light of experience.

It shows that there is no single policy instrument that can bring down greenhouse gas emissions, but the challenge has been to put a jigsaw of policy instruments together that is coherent, delivers emissions reductions, and is cost-effective.

The book was presented by Peter VIS, former Head of Cabinet to Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action (2010–2014) and discussed by Massimo Tavoni, Deputy Coordinator for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, FEEM, Italy. 

Slides

• Peter Vis Download the presentation.
• Massimo Tavoni  Download the presentation.

Live streaming videos and audio recordings

Below you find:

• Audio recordings (ONLY) of the introduction to the event by Xavier Labandeira and the Q&A session
• Both video AND audio recording of the book presentation by Peter Vis and the discussion by Massimo Tavoni.

About the editors of the book

Jos Delbeke has been the Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action since its creation in 2010 (ongoing). He holds a Ph.D. in economics (Louvain, 1986) and lectures at the University of Louvain, Belgium, on European and international environmental policy.

Peter Vis is the EU Visiting Fellow at St. Antony’s College, University of Oxford (UK), for the academic year 2014–2015. Prior to that he was Head of Cabinet to Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action (2010–2014). He has an MA (history) from the University of Cambridge (UK).

Continue reading “1st Florence Rail Forum. Aims, Models and Powers of Rail Regulators”

Continue reading “Florence Rail Workshop”

The Florence School of Regulation Water and the Turin School of Local Regulation are organising a course on the Regulation of Public Services: National and Local Perspectives.

This course intends to analyse economic regulation of public services from different perspectives and to explore the peculiarities of centralised and local allocation of regulatory tasks in relation to the nature of the service, specific policy objectives (consumer protection, equity, environmental targets, efficiency …), the historical and cultural background, the relationship between different actors and stakeholders, the influence – when relevant – of international actors like international organisations and financial institutions. The existence of multi-level systems of regulation will be also analysed as an emerging trend.

The course final aim is to provide participants with a broader overview on the objectives of regulation and with some hints to evaluate on a case-by-case basis what are the most suitable instruments and what is the best layer of intervention for a sound regulation: national, local or multi-level. That is why frontal lessons will be accompanied by the presentation of specific case studies and by interactive working groups.

* The fee includes: tuition fee // materials and a site visit // 6-night accommodation at the CAAS facilities // one social dinner // coffee breaks