Review 2016

Boosting European innovation after COP21: A prerequisite for a low-carbon future

On the 4th of May 2016, Egmont – The Royal Institute for International Relations and the Development Group started the 2016 series of events dedicated to the European Energy Transition with the first Symposium on  “Boosting European innovation after COP21: A prerequisite for a low-carbon future”. With round about 100 representatives from EU institutions, associations, the economic sector, member states and key stakeholders for climate and energy issues the potential for European innovation in the energy sector was discussed. Besides, the importance of the existing tools and instruments to promote investment, and thus boosting low-carbon technologies, as well as the way new technologies are developed and reach consumers in the aftermath of the COP21 was mentioned.

Marie DONNELLY, Director, Renewables, Research and Innovation, Energy Efficiency, DG Energy, European Commission opened up the event with a keynote on the impact of COP 21 on EU energy and innovation policies.

The first session dealt with the measures that are crucial to maintain the EU’s competitiveness through innovation after COP21 and with the question, what actions are needed to retain or regain global leadership regarding energy efficiency. Besides, the panelist of the first session pointed out several conditions and nature of policies necessary to facilitate technological innovation, in order to make optimal use of market potential. This though not only refers to technological innovation, but also to new consumer offers and business models.

Chair: Clémentine d’OULTREMONT, Senior Research Fellow, Egmont Institute

Speakers:

• Jonathan GAVENTA, Director, E3G
• Michel MATHEU, Head of EU Strategy at EDF Electricité de France
• Bertrand DEPREZ, Vice President EU Government Affairs, SchneiderElectric

Moderator: Martin PORTER, Executive Director Industrial Innovation and EU Affairs, European Climate Foundation

The second session took a closer look at the different factors that are needed to speed up innovation. The panelists referred to various ways to promote investment and thus boost the support of innovation in low-carbon technologies. Furthermore, the future role of consumers and citizens during Europe’s energy transition towards an energy efficient economy was discussed in deep.

Chair: Quentin GENARD, Associate Research Fellow, Egmont Institute

Speakers:

• Alix BOLLE, EU Campaign Manager, Energy Cities
• Harry VERHAAR, Head of Global Public & Government Affairs, Philips Lighting
• Jonas WOLFF, Senior Energy Expert, European Investment Bank

Moderator: Heinz OSSENBRINK, Head of Renewables and Energy Efficiency Unit, Institute for Energy and Transport, Joint Research Centre

Here you can download the complete report. Pictures can be found at flickr.

We would like to thank all our sponsors, panellists, and guests and look forward to welcoming you again at our second Symposium.

Many thanks to our Key Sponsor of the 2016 series of events

Gold Sponsor of the 1st Symposium

How can the EU tap into the building sector’s potential for energy efficiency?

On October 11th, 2016, Egmont – The Royal Institute for International Relations and the Development Group co-organised the 2nd Symposium of the 2016 series of events dedicated to the European Energy Transition. A diverse audience attended the event, coming from the European Commission and the European Parliament. Together with representatives from the business and diplomatic sectors as well as key stakeholders from civil society, they discussed how the European Union can tap into the building sector’s potential for energy efficiency.

Theresa GRIFFIN, Member of the European Parliament representing the North West of England, has opened the symposiumwith a keynote on recalling the multiple benefits of energy efficiency and its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.

The focus of the first session was on the upcoming revision of the energy efficiency directive (EED) and the energy performance in buildings directive (EPBD) as well as on the question, if this legislative package will close the energy efficiency gap in buildings. The panelists discussed the existing policies and regulatory instruments for energy efficiency in buildings and elaborated on their outcomes for the market.

Chair: Quentin GENARD, Associate Fellow, Egmont Institute

Speakers:

• Arianna VITALI ROSCINI, Policy Officer for Energy Conservation, WWF European Policy Office
• Harry VERHAAR, Head of Global Public & Government Affairs, Philips Lighting
• Yamina SAHEB, Senior Energy Policy Analyst, OpenExp

Moderator: Frauke THIES, Executive Director, Smart Energy Demand Coalition

The second session took a closer look at further measures, which need to be taken beyond the legislative framework. The speakers exemplified the key pillars for a successful implementation of the ambitious targets defined in the legislation, like the attraction of investments for efficiency measures and new business models, which could develop from a flourished market. All presentation also emphasized the importance of the demand site including growing potential and influence of a changing consumer behaviour.

Chair: Quentin GENARD, Associate Fellow, Egmont Institute

Speakers:

• Laurent REBER, Development Director for Synergies, ,EDF Trade Division
• Martin BORNHOLDT, Managing Director and Member of the Board, DENEFF
• Erica HOPE, EU Affairs Manager, European Climate Foundation

Moderator: Monica FRASSONI, President, European Alliance to Save Energy

Here you can download the complete report. Pictures can be found at flickr.

We would like to thank all our sponsors, panelists, and guests and look forward to welcoming you again at our High-Level-Energy Conference in December.

Many thanks to our Key Sponsor of the 2016 series of events

Gold Sponsor of the 2nd Symposium

The impact of the new EU electricity market design: how will the different pieces of the puzzle fit together?

On 6 December, Egmont – The Royal Institute for International Relations and the Development Group concluded the 2016 series of events dedicated to the European Energy Transition with the High-Level Energy Conference on “The impact of the new EU electricity market design: how will the different pieces of the puzzle fit together?”. More than 130 participants from the economic sector, associations and think-tanks had the opportunity to express their views on the market initiative proposed less than one week ahead in presence of representatives from the European institutions.

Dominique RISTORI, Director-General at the DG Energy of the European Commission, held the keynote and introduced the key features of the market design initiative.

The first session focused on the challenges resulting from the further integration of renewable energies and the role of public authorities and political regulation in that process. Different approaches on how to guarantee the positive effects, which could amongst others arise from a liberal market design, were discussed. The panelists also elaborated on how to keep the European market investable. Furthermore, the altering role of the consumers and the flexibility of the system, which is necessary to seize those changes, were emphasized in the presentations.

Chair: Marc OTTE, Director General, Egmont Institute

Speakers:

• Juan José ALBA RIOS, Chairman, EURELECTRIC Markets Committee and Vice President Regulatory Affairs, ENDESA
• Konstantin STASCHUS, Secretary General, ENTSO-E
• Guido BORTONI, President, AEEGSI

 Moderator:

Philip BAKER, Senior Advisor, Regulatory Assistance Project

The second session was mainly dedicated to the implementation of political regulation. The diverse support schemes in European countries for renewable energies and their different effect on investor’s certainty are hindering positive market mechanisms. A system determined by regional market structures rather than national boarders could help to stop that distortion of the market. The panellists underlined the need for a better integrated market – both physically and regarding regulation. Moreover, the attendees discussed the importance of an intelligent and effective demand side management as well as price signals for consumers.

Chair: Quentin GENARD, Associate Fellow, Egmont Institute

 Speakers:

• Dörte FOUQUET, Director, European Renewable Energies Federation
• Bruno LESCOEUR, Advisor to the President and Chief Executive Officer, EDF
• Wolfram VOGEL, Director Public & Regulatory Affairs and Communications, EPEX Spot

Moderator:

Manon DUFOUR, Head of Brussels Office, E3G

Here you can download the complete report. Pictures can be found on flickr.

We would like to thank all our sponsors, panelists and guests and look forward to welcoming you again at our Energy Transition series of events 2017.

Many thanks to our Key Sponsor of the 2016 series of events

Bronze Sponsor of the Conference