How can Europe ensure a cost-effective use of grid infrastructure?
Our proposal for the European Commission's legislative proposal on network charges
About
Energy Cities advocates for a resilient and affordable energy system that is based on decentralisation and decarbonisation. In this system – local stakeholders, including energy communities, local authorities, citizens and SMEs – play an active role.
In this context, Energy Cities warmly welcomes the EU Commission’s proposal on network charges, which aims to make an optimal and cost-effective use of the grid infrastructure and incentivise system-friendly consumption, among other things.
In a report containing data and examples, Energy Cities has demonstrated that non-fossil flexibility is essential for ensuring resilience and energy security and affordability, as well as offering a valuable alternative to expensive network expansion, and how local stakeholders can play an active role in this.
Our main points:
- Non-fossil flexibility is essential to ensuring energy affordability and making Europe more resilient
- Local stakeholders’ role in non-fossil flexibility is key
- Double financial penalties must be avoided for local stakeholders
Our asks for the legislative proposal
- Smarter design of network tariffs
- A fair trade-off between networks buildout and non-wire solutions
- A right balance between flexible connection agreements (FCAs) and flexibility services
- Smarter electricity sharing schemes
- Support to interoperability and technologies that enable flexibility
- Microgrids’ development to ensure resilience and free up network capacity
- Inclusive capacity mechanisms aligned with decarbonisation goals
