Electricity Decentralization in the European Union

Towards Zero Carbon and Energy Transition

2nd Edition - July 10, 2023
Author: Rafael Leal-Arcas
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 5 9 2 0 - 6
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 5 9 2 1 - 3

Electricity Decentralization in the European Union: Towards Zero Carbon and Energy Transition, Second Edition examines progress in decentralization across the European Union, wi… Read more

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Electricity Decentralization in the European Union: Towards Zero Carbon and Energy Transition, Second Edition examines progress in decentralization across the European Union, with each chapter focusing on developments and innovations in a specific country. Sections provide an overview of the current role and state of smart grids, the conceptualization of energy transition, and specific cases across all EU states. Across the chapters, regulatory frameworks are assessed to identify to what extent it is conducive to decentralization, with specific outcomes of decentralization covered in detail, including deployment of smart grids and meters, demand response, electric vehicles, and storage.

The book highlights how specific EU member states are progressing towards deployment of these tools and technologies, along with the specific needs and regulatory barriers in each and recommendations for how regulation can be more encouraging. In addition, electricity interconnections in the EU are considered as a vital step towards decentralization in order to boost energy security and energy efficiency. Finally, the book includes a detailed examination of data protection concerns that arise from the advent of new technologies that collect personal information, such as smart grids, assessing current regulation on data protection and identifying areas for improvement, as well as innovative finance options for sustainable energy.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1. Smart grids in the European Union
Abstract
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Smart grid deployment and the impact on energy security
1.3 Smart grid regulation
1.4 Social, environmental, and ethical issues of smart grids
1.5 Conclusion
Chapter 2. Conceptualizing the energy transition in the European Union
Abstract
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Progress on energy decentralization
Chapter 3. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Belgium
Abstract
3.1 Smart grids and meters
3.2 Electric vehicles
3.3 Demand response
3.4 Storage
3.5 Interconnection
3.6 Concerns about data protection
3.7 Conclusions
Chapter 4. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Greece
Abstract
4.1 Smart grids and meters
4.2 Electric vehicles
4.3 Demand response
4.4 Storage
4.5 Interconnection
4.6 Concerns about data protection
Chapter 5. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Spain
Abstract
5.1 Regulatory framework for the electricity market
5.2 Smart grids and meters
5.3 Electric vehicles
5.4 Demand response
5.5 Storage
5.6 Interconnection
5.7 Concerns about data protection
Chapter 6. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Italy
Abstract
6.1 Regulatory framework for the electricity market
6.2 Smart grids and meters
6.3 Electric vehicles
6.4 Demand response
6.5 Storage
6.6 Interconnection
6.7 Concerns about data protection
Chapter 7. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Bulgaria
Abstract
7.1 General overview
7.2 Energy profile
7.3 Governance system
7.4 Electricity market
7.5 Smart metering systems
7.6 Demand response
7.7 Data protection
7.8 Electric vehicles and storage
7.9 Conclusions
Chapter 8. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Poland
Abstract
8.1 General overview
8.2 Energy profile
8.3 Governance system: political decentralization and energy competences
8.4 Electricity market
8.5 Renewable energy sources’ generation
8.6 Smart grid and smart metering systems
8.7 Electric vehicles and storage
8.8 Data protection
8.9 Demand response and energy efficiency
8.10 Conclusion
Chapter 9. Energy decentralization and energy transition in France
Abstract
9.1 General overview
9.2 Energy profile
9.3 Governance system
9.4 Electricity market
9.5 Smart metering systems
9.6 Demand response
9.7 Data protection
9.8 Electric vehicles and storage
9.9 Conclusions
Chapter 10. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Finland
Abstract
10.1 General overview
10.2 Energy profile
10.3 Governance system
10.4 Electricity market
10.5 Smart metering systems
10.6 Demand response
10.7 Data protection
10.8 Electric vehicles and storage
10.9 Conclusions
Chapter 11. Energy decentralization and energy transition in the Republic of Ireland
Abstract
11.1 Overview
11.2 Energy profile
11.3 Governance system
11.4 Regulatory framework and the energy security dimension
11.5 Smart metering scheme
11.6 Demand response
11.7 Data protection
11.8 Electric vehicles and electricity storage
11.9 Conclusions
Chapter 12. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Estonia
Abstract
12.1 Energy profile
12.2 Governance system
12.3 Energy regulatory framework
12.4 Smart homes/smart meters
12.5 Data protection
12.6 Electric vehicles
12.7 Demand response
12.8 Conclusions
Chapter 13. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Slovenia
Abstract
13.1 Slovenia
13.2 Conclusions
Chapter 14. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Croatia
Abstract
14.1 General overview
14.2 Energy profile
14.3 Governance system
14.4 Electricity market
14.5 Smart metering systems
14.6 Demand response
14.7 Data protection
14.8 Vehicles and storage
14.9 Conclusion
Chapter 15. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Austria
Abstract
15.1 Energy profile
15.2 Governance system
15.3 Electricity market
15.4 Smart metering systems
15.5 Data protection
15.6 Demand response
15.7 Electric vehicles
15.8 Storage
15.9 Conclusion
Chapter 16. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Luxembourg
Abstract
16.1 Energy profile
16.2 Governance system
16.3 Electricity market
16.4 Smart metering systems
16.5 Demand response
16.6 Data protection
16.7 Electric vehicles
16.8 Storage
16.9 Conclusion
Chapter 17. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Denmark
Abstract
17.1 General overview
17.2 Energy profile
17.3 Governance system
17.4 Electricity market
17.5 Smart metering systems
17.6 Demand response
17.7 Data protection
17.8 Electric vehicles and storage
17.9 Conclusion
Chapter 18. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Sweden
Abstract
18.1 General overview
18.2 Energy profile
18.3 Governance system
18.4 Electricity market
18.5 Smart metering systems
18.6 Demand response
18.7 Data protection
18.8 Electric vehicles and storage
18.9 Conclusion
Chapter 19. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Hungary
Abstract
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Hungary’s electricity market
19.3 How “smart” is Hungary’s electricity system?
19.4 Conclusion
Chapter 20. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Cyprus
Abstract
20.1 Introduction
20.2 The smart grid: a vehicle to a more sustainable energy system
20.3 Cyprus electricity market
20.4 Smart metering systems
20.5 Demand response
20.6 Data protection
20.7 Electric vehicles and storage
20.8 Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter 21. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Lithuania
Abstract
21.1 Introduction: Lithuania, a population in major decline
21.2 The Lithuanian electrical grid
21.3 Achieving energy democratization
21.4 Smart metering systems
21.5 Demand response
21.6 Cross-border relations and power grid synchronization
21.7 Data protection in smart grids
21.8 Electric vehicles and storage
21.9 Conclusion
Chapter 22. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Romania
Abstract
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Romania’s electricity market
22.3 How “Smart” is Romania’s grid?
22.4 Conclusion
Chapter 23. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Malta
Abstract
23.1 Introduction
23.2 Energy mix
23.3 Laws and institutions relevant in the decarbonization efforts in Malta
23.4 Electricity in Malta and energy competences
23.5 Renewable energy generation
23.6 Smart grid and smart metering systems
23.7 Electric vehicles and storage
23.8 Data protection
23.9 Demand response and energy efficiency
23.10 Conclusion
Chapter 24. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Slovakia
Abstract
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Energy profile
24.3 Decentralization efforts: where does Slovakia stand?
24.4 Smart metering systems
24.5 Electric mobility
24.6 Demand response
24.7 Electricity storage
24.8 Data protection
24.9 Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter 25. Energy decentralization and energy transition in the Czech Republic
Abstract
25.1 Introduction
25.2 Overview of Czechia’s electricity market
25.3 Toward a decentralized and smart electricity sector
25.4 Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter 26. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Latvia
Abstract
26.1 Introduction
26.2 Energy, electricity, and smart grids in Latvia: developments and concerns
26.3 Conclusion and recommendations
Chapter 27. Energy decentralization and energy transition in Portugal
Abstract
27.1 Introduction
27.2 Energy profile
27.3 The liberalization of the Portuguese electricity market
27.4 Regulatory framework
27.5 Smart metering systems
27.6 Electric mobility
27.7 Demand response
27.8 Electric storage
27.9 Data protection
27.10 Portugal’s electricity interconnections within the European Union
27.11 Conclusions and recommendations
Chapter 28. Energy decentralization and energy transition in the United Kingdom
Abstract
28.1 Overview
28.2 Energy profile
28.3 Governance system
28.4 Regulatory framework and energy security
28.5 Smart metering systems
28.6 Demand response
28.7 Data protection
28.8 Electric vehicles and energy storage
28.9 Conclusion
Chapter 29. Innovative finance for sustainable energy
Abstract
29.1 Introduction and methodology
29.2 Decentralized energy: archetype business models and barriers
Index

Rafael Leal-Arcas

Rafael Leal-Arcas is Professor of Law, Vice-Dean for Research Grants & Director of Graduate Studies and Research, College of Law & International Relations, Alfaisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; He is the former Professor of European and International Economic Law, a Jean Monnet Chair holder (awarded by the European Commission), Program Director of the LLM in International Economic Law, and former Director of Research at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies of Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. He is also a former visiting professor at New York University Abu Dhabi in the UAE, and the Inaugural Lee Kong Chian International Visiting Professor of Law at the Yong Pung How School of Law of Singapore Management University, Singapore. Prof. Leal-Arcas’s research is funded by the EU Commission’s Horizon 2020 program, most notably a grant of EUR14 million as part of a consortium of 21 institutions to work on renewable energy and smart grids. He is the author or editor of 20 books to date, mainly on international trade, energy and climate change, and has authored over 215 scholarly publications in international peer-reviewed journals, with his work cited over 1,955 times. Since 2020, he is Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Public Law and Policy, and was previously Editor-in-Chief of Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review. Prof. Leal-Arcas also regularly serves as a subject expert or advisor on energy, climate change, and trade to political institutions and international organizations, as well as in various appearances at conferences and in the media.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Law, Vice-Dean for Research Grants & Director of Graduate Studies and Research, College of Law & International Relations, Alfaisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Formerly, Professor of European and International Economic Law, a Jean Monnet Chair holder (awarded by the European Commission), Program Director of the LLM in International Economic Law; Formerly, Director of Research, Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London, UK