EU Policy: European Strategy for Smart Grid Development in the Near Future

Introduction: In 2009, the EU smart grid project was flat and now it has finally been taken seriously. It calls for the introduction of European-wide interoperability standards within 18 months from now. If there is delay in progress, it will intervene in time. It also requires all 27 member states to come up with appropriate smart grid plans during this period. The European Union warned that more stringent regulatory measures will be implemented if the progress of each country fails to meet the requirements. The European Commission also hinted at the regulatory incentive plan that it will launch its own smart grid demonstration project in 2011. A study last fall called the smart grid to save Europe €52 billion a year. Multinational companies are paying attention to Europe. In addition, although the advancement of Europe is slow, it may be able to circumvent the mistakes made by smart grid pioneers such as the United States, and it seems that it is not known whether the “first-come-first-served” approach has occurred.

The European Commission was disappointed with the response to the 2009 Smart Grid Initiative and has warned member countries that if they cannot effectively advance their deployment of smart meters, the EU will implement stricter smart grid regulatory measures. At the same time, the EU also stated in its strategy report that there may be a corresponding regulatory incentive plan.

The EU has established a mandatory target of 80% of home-installed smart meters in 2020. The European Commission, which is the executive body of the European Union, attaches great importance to and vigorously promotes the deployment of smart meters. In general, the European smart grid program aims to reduce network losses, integrate considerable amounts of new energy, and increase grid reliability.

EU policy journal EurActiv quoted John Harris, vice president of Landis+Gyr (the company's main provider of smart metering and energy management solutions), as saying that smart meters are the core foundation for building smart grids and achieving EU-wide energy-related ambitious goals. Speaking of the EU's warning, he said, "I don't think this is a panacea for advancing programs, but at least there is a consensus on this issue, that is, in the third energy package (ie, the 2009 plan) in terms of smart grids and There is no substantive requirement for member states."

Harris's company is busy implementing various projects all over Europe. At the same time, it also criticizes the EU's plan for smart metering, and believes that it has been implemented for too long. "The current interpretation of the European Commission is that investment in infrastructure has not yet been implemented."

The EU's strategy report stated that there is a huge gap in smart grid investment that needs to be filled. Grid operators and suppliers are expected to take most of the investment, but they hope to have a "fair cost-sharing model."

But Jessica Stromback, executive director of the European Smart Energy Demand Alliance, told EurActiv that investment issues are there, and that the biggest problems smart grids are currently facing are regulatory and legislative guidance.

Yes, this is a complicated issue. However, the relevant persons interviewed all believed that the EU's strategy report has set a correct tone, which is a good starting point for smart grid deployment work toward a more substantive and comprehensive regulatory development.