At the end of 2018, the European Union finalized the adoption of the “Clean Energy for All Europeans” package. It includes provisions on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources through self-consumption. Self-consumption offers consumers the possibility to produce all, or part of, the electricity they use themselves. Furthermore, the rules regarding Europe’s electricity market have enshrined in law the right of consumers to produce, sell and share their own electricity in newly defined “citizen energy communities”.

EU Member States have already started to apply a new legislation at national level. National rules differ; we can see that provisions are very favorable to self-consumers in Germany, much more cautious in France. Whatever the legal framework, integrating a high number of small micro-grids into the overall energy system is going to be increasingly challenging.

The seminar, organized in partnership with the Transport, Energy, Networks and Infrastructure society Section of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), will therefore offer the opportunity to address the following issues:

• What are the lessons that can be drawn from already existing energy communities in the EU?
• How to ensure a fair balance between self-consumers and those not engaging in self-consumption regarding electricity bills?
• How should roles and responsibilities be organised between DSOs and citizen energy communities?
• What are the new business opportunities in building and operating the facilities?

AGENDA:

Welcome speech by Pierre Jean COULON, President of the TEN section of the EESC

Discussion:

• Josh ROBERTS, Advocacy Officer, REScoop.eu
• Jean-Baptiste GALLAND, Strategy Director, Enedis
• Janusz PIETKIEWICZ, Vice-president, Employers of Poland, sections ECO & INT, EESC
• Claes SOMMANSON, Head of Projects, Johanneberg Science Park

Panel moderated by Michel CRUCIANI, Senior adviser on climate and energy issues, Confrontations Europe

Questions & answers with the audience

Conclusive speech

MINUTES

CEER (Dirk VAN EVERCOOREN)

ENEDIS

FED (Claes SOMMANSSON)

RESCOOP.EU (Josh ROBERTS)