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Electricity | Contribution to book
Regulating European distribution systems to achieve net zero : untapping flexibility efficiently
25 June 2025
Authors: SCHITTEKATTE, Tim
To enable deep electrification of the economy, a significant expansion of grid distribution capacity will be required. However, how much grid investments eventually will be needed depends on how the grid is expected to be used. This chapter first details the three prominent regulatory tools that are currently being promoted in Europe to unlock flexibility in grid usage at the distribution level: distribution network access tariffs; smart connection agreements; local congestion markets. Besides refining and coordinating these regulatory tools, it is argued that the regulatory framework around the Distribution System Operator (DSO) also needs to be revised to avoid conflicts of interest. Finally, the chapter questions the coordination between DSOs and transmission system operators (TSOs) which naturally surfaces when new market mechanisms involving DERs are put in place. It is argued that in the longer run, one can imagine a new reorganization of tasks between TSOs and DSOs.
Electricity network companies can innovate their own network business or stimulate system innovation, including by facilitating market activities and the integration of renewable energy sources. Regulation is essential to turn [...]
To enable deep electrification of the economy, a significant expansion of grid distribution capacity will be required. However, how much grid investments eventually will be needed depends on how the [...]
This edited book is intended to be a companion volume to our Handbook on Electricity Markets (Glachant, Joskow, and Pollitt, 2021). That book focused on wholesale electricity markets, looking at [...]
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