In this Debate we will discuss which measures should be used and which mechanisms should be harnessed to pursue the “energy efficiency-first” approach, which is at the core of a more circular economy system, one of the pillars of the EU decarbonisation strategy.

This issue is particularly critical given that, since 2014, the trend in energy consumption in Europe has been pointing towards the EU not meeting its 2020 energy efficiency targets, for both primary and final energy consumption. In 2018 primary and final energy consumption were still 5.8% and 3.5%, respectively, above the 2020 targets. The COVID crisis significantly hampered the economy and decreased energy consumption in 2020. However, unless the European economy will become more energy-efficient, the subsequent recovery will lead to a rebound in energy consumption.

The fact that the EU seems to be unable sufficiently to promote energy efficiency appears all the more surprising considering that already in 2005 the Commission, in its Green Paper on Energy Efficiency or Doing More with Less1, was able to refer to “numerous studies” according to which “the EU could save at least 20% of its present energy consumption in a cost-effective manner”,

The 2018 Energy Efficiency Directive2 established a headline EU energy efficiency target for 2030 of at least 32.5% (compared to projections of the expected energy use in 2030), with a clause for a possible upwards revision by 2023. In fact, it is likely that the target will be increased sooner in line with the Green Deal strategy.

In this context, the Debate will aim at discussing:

• which have been the barriers which prevented the EU from reaching its 2020 energy efficiency target, despite the promising outlook back in 2005; and
• how these barriers could be tackled to achieve the more ambitious 2030 target.

Draft Programme

14.00 – 14.05 Introduction to the Debate

Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

14.05 – 14.15 The “energy efficiency-first” approach in the Green Deal

Claudia Canevari | European Commission, DG Energy

14.15 – 14.25 Energy efficiency in the National Energy and Climate Plans

Golnoush Soroush | Florence School of Regulation

Lessons learnt from auditing EU-funded energy efficiency projects in buildings

14.25 – 14.35

Lorenzo Pirelli | European University Institute

PANEL DISCUSSION:

Moderator: Alberto Pototschnig: Florence School of Regulation

14.35 – 14.55 Introductory remarks from the panellists

Sabine Löbbe | Reutlingen Energy Center

Zsuzsanna Pató | Regulatory Assistance Project

Giuseppe Velluto | Gianni Origoni

14.55 – 15.00   Polls

15.00 – 15.20   Comments on the outcome of the poll and Q&A from the audience
Panellists

15.20 – 15.30   Concluding remarks

Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation
Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University

#FSRDebates

The focus of the debate series is on recent court cases, regulatory decisions, EU legislation, or public consultations to be discussed by a panel of experts. Learn more about the FSR series.

Hydrogen can be produced also from the decomposition of methane. This process yields only solid carbon and no carbon dioxide. The produced carbon can be sold, improving the cost-efficiency of the operations. Particularly interesting could be the pyrolysis of biomethane. Can pyrolysis of gas play a substantial role in the energy transition? What is the state of the latest technological developments? What are GHG savings using pyrolysis? What are the cost estimations compared with competing technologies?

This online debate on pyrolysis hydrogen will be moderated by Andris Piebalgs and Christopher Jones, Florence School of Regulation.

Speakers:

Dr. Klaus Langemann, Senior Vice President Technology &Innovation, Wintershall Dea GmbH

Prof. Bernd Meyer, Director, Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering, TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Dr. Roh Pin Lee, Head of Technology Assessment Division, Institute of Energy Process Engineering and Chemical Engineering, TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

Prof. Laurent Fulcheri, Research Director, MINES ParisTech

Detlef Kratz,President, Process Research and Chemical Engineering, BASF

Conclusions:

Kitti Nyitrai, Member of Cabinet of Commissioner Simson

#FSRDebates

The focus of the debate series is on policy issues to be discussed by a panel of experts. Learn more about the FSR series.

In this Debate, we aim at identifying some fundamentals for realising a coherent regulatory  framework for energy storage facilities across the energy vectors with a focus on achieving the optimumal  flexibility from storage facilities.

Storage for all forms of energy vectors is of key importance for achieving the EU’s climate and energy targets. Storage has a crucial role in achieving security of supply, reliability and flexibility. These goals cannot always be pursued simultaneously however and some forms of storage may be more suited to serving some goals than others.

In the FSR Debate, we ask whether we are considering all the options as to how to accommodate storage in the new regulatory frameworks under consideration, and in particular to maximise the  demand and supply flexibility that different forms of storage can offer. 

If the objective is to strive for flexibility maximisation,  how should we position energy storage within the regulatory framework? Is storage to be positioned as part of the transmission or distribution network? Is it a back up for flexible supply or is it an independent service?  Who should offer different types of storage-related services and who should not?  Should we revisit the unbundling rules? How should injection into storage and withdrawal from storage be charged in order not to distort the efficient use of resources in the overall energy system?

In all these aspects we will consider whether and how to align gas and electricity regulatory principles and practice. Do we follow the existing rules on electricity or on gas or do we develop a new, harmonised approach across the sectors.

As to network tariff methodologies for gas storage – are these likely to be a barrier to innovative flexibility services or should we seek to maintain guarantees for fair access?  Do we have to mirror this approach for other forms of storage such as batteries?

This in turn raises the issue of whether the current approach to fuel specific network codes, guidelines – one distinct set for gas – one set for electricity needs to revamped?

Programme

Introduction to the Debate and Opening Presentations

14.00 – 14.05  Introduction to the Debate

Leigh Hancher| Florence School of Regulation

14.05 – 14.15 An energy system needs storage. Storage is everywhere

Ronnie Belmans  | CEO Energyville

14.15 – 14.25  The role of gas storage – time for a regulatory upgrade?

 Carole le Hénaff  | GIE/Storengy

Panel Discussion: Introductory Remarks, Polls, and Comments

Moderator:  Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

14.25 – 14.45   Introductory remarks from the panellists

Guido Cervigni | DFC Economic

Doug Wood | EFET

Benoit  Esnault | ACER/CRE

14.45 – 14.50   Polls

14.50 – 15.20   Comments on the outcome of the polls and Q&A from the audience                    

15.20 – 15.30   Concluding remarks

Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University

#FSRDebates

The focus of the debate series is on recent court cases, regulatory decisions, EU legislation, or public consultations to be discussed by a panel of experts.

Hosts: Prof. Leigh Hancher and Prof. Alberto Pototschnig

In the EU buildings are responsible for 40% of energy consumption. 36% of the GHG emissions in the energy sector are related to buildings. The renovation has been a recognised priority of many governments in the EU. Still the developments in the renovation of the buildings have been slow. Only 1% of buildings are renovated per year. This put into question the achievement of the EU’s energy objectives.

The European Commission recently published Renovation Wave Strategy aiming to change this. It targets at least doubling the renovation rates. The renovations should lead to substantially higher energy and resource efficiency and decarbonisation of heating and cooling.

Watch the recording:

How to break existing barriers? How to provide well-targeted financing? How to connect the European ambition with national and local policies? What new European regulation to expect?

These are the issues we will be tackling during our debate.

Panel

Guests:

Stefan Moser, European Commission, DG ENER, Head of Unit

Gaspard Demur, European Commission, DG ENER

Hosts:

Christopher Jones, European University Institute, FSR

Andris Piebalgs, European University Institute, FSR

#FSRDebates

The focus of the debate series is on policy issues to be discussed by a panel of experts. Learn more about the FSR series.

In April 2020, the Florence School of Regulation held two workshops on renewable hydrogen and low-carbon hydrogen technologies. Since then, there has been a lot of significant developments that will try to address in this debate.

Watch the recording

Background

In December 2020, the European Council has endorsed a binding EU target of 55% in GHG emissions reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 to be achieved collectively in the most cost-effective manner possible.

The Council of the European Union has adopted Council Conclusions “Towards a hydrogen market for Europe”. The Council endorses the approach proposed by the European Commission in its Communication “Hydrogen Strategy for a climate-neutral Europe” and calls for more detailed pathways on how to get to the announced objectives of having 6GW of electrolysers by 2024 and 40GW by 2030. With a strong focus on renewable hydrogen, the Conclusions also mention transitional support of low carbon hydrogen produced from natural gas.

The Strategic Forum for Important Projects of Common European Interest has selected “Hydrogen Technologies and Systems” as one of the strategic value chains, which are essential to enhance the future competitiveness and sustainability of the EU.

The European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, uniting broad range of European stakeholders , has started its activities.

The new proposal of TEN-E Regulation recognises the support o the investments in hydrogen networks and power-to-gas facilities.

It is clear now that hydrogen together with renewable electricity and energy efficiency measures are key enablers towards carbon neutrality of the EU by 2050. Also, there is a political will to deploy hydrogen in the most cost-effective way using the strength of the EU internal market. Still, there are substantial challenges in the front of broad hydrogen deployment. There isn’t a market even in a most rudimentary form, important sustainability issues need to be resolved (Guarantees of Origin, additionality), but most importantly renewable and low carbon prices are relatively high compared with fossil fuel sources.

Are renewable and low carbon hydrogen technologies ready for accelerated deployment?

Has clean hydrogen technology development followed fast political development? Are there substantial barriers? What market design elements are needed to accelerate technological progress? These are the questions we will address during our policy debate.

Draft Programme

Moderators: Christopher Jones and Andris Piebalgs

11.00 – 11.10 Introduction to the debate

Christopher Jones | Florence School of Regulation

11.10 – 12.10 Panel debate

                      Barbara Jinks | IRENA

                      Kees van der Leun | Guidehouse

                      Jorgo Chatzimarkakis | Hydrogen Europe (TBC)

                      Ronnie Belmans | Energyville

12.10 – 12.25 Q&A

12.25 – 12.30 Concluding remarks

Andris Piebalgs | Florence School of Regulation

#FSRDebates on Policy

Starting from January 2020, our debate series will have a monthly episode on policy issues, hosted by Christopher Jones and Andris Piebalgs.

Reaching the ambitious energy and climate targets to which the European Union (EU) is committing requires harnessing all the opportunities associated with hydrogen, for which a strategic approach is needed. In this context, in its Hydrogen Strategy, the European Commission launched a plan to reach 80 GW of electrolyser capacity by 2030, half of which within the EU and the other half in Europe’s neighbourhood, with the export of green hydrogen to the EU.

The envisaged massive increase in electrolyser capacity in the EU calls for clarity on the regulatory approach to these installations and, more generally, to power-to-gas facilities.

Watch the recording:

In this Debate, we intend to identify the best regulatory approach to power-to-gas facilities, and the potential use of regulatory sandboxes for this purpose.

In particular, we will assess whether:

• power-to-gas facilities should be considered as performing a monopoly activity, which would justify them being owned and run by Transmission System Operators (TSOs) or Distribution System Operators (DSOs);
• power-to-gas facilities should instead be considered as performing a competitive activity. In which case, under the existing unbundling provisions, TSOs and DSOs would be prevented from owning and/or operating them;
• a “hybrid” approach should be considered, in which the role of TSOs and DSOs would be tailored to the stage of market development of power-to-gas activities;
• different approaches should be tested in parallel using regulatory sandboxes.

Programme

14.00 – 14.05: Introduction to the Debate

Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University

14.o5 – 14.15: Regulatory Sandboxes

Tim Schittekatte | Florence School of Regulation

14.15 – 14.25: The possible regulatory approaches to power-to-gas facilities

Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

PANEL DISCUSSION

Moderator: Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University

14.25 – 14.50: Introductory remarks

• Benedikt Klauser | DG ENER
• Francesco Cariello| ARERA
• Dennis Hesseling | ACER
• Gerald Kaendler | ENTSOE
• Jan Ingwersen |ENTSOG

14.50-14.55: Live Polls for the audience

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

15.20 – 15.30: Concluding remarks

Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University

Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

#FSRDebates

The focus of the debate series is on recent court cases, regulatory decisions, EU legislation, or public consultations to be discussed by a panel of experts. Learn more about the FSR series.

In this online debate, we will discuss the latest energy sector decisions from the European Courts of Justice and consider the wider repercussions of these developments. Several important issues have been raised via the Courts in recent months and several further important rulings are expected in the coming weeks, including on dispute settlement, the Hinkley Point nuclear power plant, and EU state aid rules. We will present the key aspects of these cases, weigh the reasoning of the courts, and reflect on the implications of these decisions.

The cases we will address are:

·   Case C-238/18: GRDF SA v Eni Gas and Power France SA on dispute settlement and the extent of the powers of regulatory authorities

·   Case C-594/18 P: Austria v European Commission – an update on the ECJ’s review of the Hinkley Point judgment on state aid

·   Case T-479/11 – Case T-157/12 (appeal of Case C-438/16 P Commission v France and IFP Énergies Nouvelles) on state aid

‘Ones to Watch’:

·   Case C-705/19: AXPO Trading v Gestore dei Servizi Energetici SpA – GSE

·   Case T-300/19: Achema and Lifosa v Commission

We will be taking questions throughout the live session, but we also invite you to submit your questions in advance in the registration form.

More on ECJ Case Law

If you want to catch up on earlier CJEU developments in the year, you can watch a recording of our session from April 2020 here.

#FSRDebates

The focus of the debate series is on recent court cases, regulatory decisions, EU legislation, or public consultations to be discussed by a panel of experts. Learn more about the FSR series.

In this Debate we focus on the most appropriate regulatory regime for the infrastructure connecting offshore wind parks  to land. In particular, we will assess:

• Whether this infrastructure should be considered as a connection infrastructure for the wind farm or a network element subject to third party access obligations, or a direct line?
• Whether the regulatory treatment of this infrastructure depends on the distance of the wind park from shore or on the fact that the wind park is connected to more than one country and therefore its connection infrastructure could also be used as an interconnector between different countries;
• To what extent the exemption conditions set out in Article 63(1) of the Electricity Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/943) could apply to this infrastructure if were not to be considered aa new ‘interconnector’?  What scope is there for national policy?

Watch the recording:

Programme

Introduction to the Debate | Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University

The offshore strategy | Joachim Balke | DG ENER

Regulatory Principles for a Meshed Offshore Grid | Pradyumna Bhagwat | Florence School of Regulation

Panel discussion moderated by Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

Introductory remarks
Carsten Smidt | DUR (Danish NRA) 
Dirk Van Hertem |KU Leuven
Anders Skanlund  | ENTSO-E
Ursula Prall | Becker Büttner Held, Hamburg

Polls for the audience and comments on the outcome

Joachim Balke | DG ENER, European Commission

Concluding remarks

Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University
Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

#FSRDebates

The focus of the debate series is on recent court cases, regulatory decisions, EU legislation, or public consultations to be discussed by a panel of experts. Learn more about the FSR series.

EU Hydrogen Strategy

The regulation of hydrogen infrastructure

In the first debate of the series, we will aim to tackle the fundamental question of whether the future hydrogen infrastructure will inevitably exhibit similar features to the natural gas and electricity networks and should be regulated in a similar way.

Watch the recording:

In this context, we will try to address the following questions:

• Should regulation disincentivise parallel delivery networks, reserving a preference for existing TSOs to replace/upgrade existing networks or should regulation foster competing networks?
• Will the hydrogen network necessarily exhibit the same ‘essential facility’ features – i.e. that it not easily or economically duplicated and tends to be a natural monopoly – so that access conditions and tariffs need to be regulated?
• Should the regulation follow the same approach as for gas? Ex ante regulation as opposed to ex-post tariff control?

#FSRDebates

The event will be hosted by the FSR Energy Union Law Director, Leigh Hancher.

Programme:

14.00 – 14.05   Introduction to the Debate

Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

14.05 – 14.15   The EU Hydrogen Strategy

Tudor Constantinescu | DG ENER, European Commission

14.15 – 14.25   The Hydrogen Sector cost structure

Piero Dos Reis | Florence School of Regulation

Panel Discussion: Introductory Remarks, Polls, and Comments

Moderator:  Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University

14.25 – 14.45    Introductory remarks
Christopher Jones| Florence School of Regulation
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis | Hydrogen Europe 
Stephan Kamphues | ENTSOG
Anneke Francois | ACM (Dutch NRA)

14.45 – 15.20    Polls and Q&A from the audience

15.20 – 15.30    Concluding remarks

Tudor Constantinescu | DG ENER, European Commission
Leigh Hancher | Florence School of Regulation and Tilburg University
Alberto Pototschnig | Florence School of Regulation

More about the FSR series

Started in September 2020, the new FSR series cover a wide range of topics and formats to meet the changing needs of the energy sector and the interests of our audience, across cutting-edge research, regulatory debate, and policy dialogue.

The focus of the debate series is on recent court cases, regulatory decisions, EU legislation, or public consultations to be discussed by a panel of experts.

Hosts: Prof. Leigh Hancher and Prof. Alberto Pototschnig