Recording of Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 12:55 .

Think Tank Highlights Key Role of Consumer Flexibility in Energy Transition Amidst Global Crisis and Affordability Challenges

The think tank, distinct from other panelists with business interests, focuses on the broader system and consumer interest in the energy transition. Their work delves into demand-side flexibility and its implications for all consumers, not just wealthy ones. A study they published earlier this year highlights how critical it is to invest in consumer flexibility within renewable energy frameworks globally, emphasizing that when and where we consume energy matters due to market regulations and infrastructure constraints. In Europe specifically, skyrocketing retail prices have led to policy interventions aimed at making energy affordable without addressing the need for consumer flexibility adequately. The analysis reveals significant potential in smart charging of electric cars but points out that heating systems offer even greater opportunities since all households require heating while not everyone owns a car. Mapping future needs shows reliability, sustainability (clean energy), and equity are essential factors—energy should be affordable without leaving anyone behind. Recommendations focus on integrating diverse consumer behaviors into a flexible system offering access to cheap clean energy through what they term a "passport." However, there’s no common policy ensuring easy access or financial benefits from being flexible without sacrificing comfort. This gap leaves many consumers unable to participate fully in gaining advantages from the evolving system's business cases.

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Speaker

Andreas Jahn
Senior Associate
Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)
Belgium

Talk of session: Demand Side Flexibility - the Role of Grid Infrastructure, Market Players and Digitalization in Meeting Consumer Expectations

Active consumer involvement is a crucial aspect of the energy transition. Demand-side flexibility is essential for a flexible energy system that integrates the exponentially growing number of distributed energy resources. Both the system and society in general need consumers to adapt their energy usage to the available network capacity. Digitalization and new technologies - such as smart meters - as well as market-based solutions will allow consumers to become active players. However, being able does not necessarily mean being willing, so incentives are needed. This session will also address how our grid can be prepared to meet consumer expectations and how to deal with a flood of connection requests in a timely manner while ensuring security of supply.

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Carmen Gimeno
Secretary General
GEODE
Belgium

To Talk

Flexibility Potential in the Household Sector - a Billion-Euro Market

Speaker

Sebastian Mahlow
Managing Director
ison GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Enabling Prosumers to Accelerate the Energy Transition

Speaker

Dr. Frank Schlichting
CEO
Kiwigrid GmbH
Germany

To Talk

The Customer-powered Energy Transition: How Utilities can Accelerate Demand Side Flexibility

Speaker

Alex Schoch
Global Head of Flexibility
Octopus Energy
UK

To Talk

The Dso's Enabling Prosumers

Speaker

José Ferrari Careto
CEO of Networks Business
EDP Group

To Talk

Panel Discussion

To Talk

Partners & Sponsors

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