According to Euroelectric, the main reasons for the increase in the role of distribution system operators (DSO) in the future configuration of energy systems are the expected increase in distributed generation volumes and the share of RES in the energy balance up to 50% of the total electricity generation, most of which will be connected to the DSO.
On June 28, 2019 in Osaka, Japan, as part of the G20 Summit, the International Energy Agency (IEA) planned to release the results of the study “On assessment of the role of hydrogen and its economic potential in developing a new model of the global energy system.”
According to the Minister of Economic and Climate Policy of the Netherlands, Noévan Hulst, a stable position regarding the widespread use of hydrogen as a key energy carrier in the transition to a new low carbon paradigm for the development of energy systems in Europe and the world where hydrogen will be generated from different sources has already been formed by experts.
According to the European Commission report on the performance of the electricity market in the EU for the first quarter of 2019, the main trends in the functioning of the market were the increase in the share of natural gas in electricity production due to falling prices for this energy, reduction of wholesale price of electricity due to milder weather conditions in March and February in 2019, lower prices for energy products and higher generation of RES, primarily wind power.
On June 28, 2019, the National Assembly of France adopted a law on climate and energy policy aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. French Environment Minister François de Rugy said the adoption of the law makes France one of the pioneers in countries that have made specific commitments to the transition to carbon neutrality.
The IEA seeks to strengthen the coordination of investments in energy projects and to demonstrate political will in promotion of low carbon industries, energy efficiency measures, increase of access to clean energy in all regions of the world, and funding of new research. The greatest contribution is provided by the US and China, which will allow them to maintain technological leadership and expand their influence on global energy.
The efforts of the Polish government to keep electricity prices for end consumers at the level of prices of mid-2018 along with avoiding excessive financial losses of energy companies, have not led to the desired outcome. The expenses of the energy companies have increased due to changing market conditions, rising prices of CO2 emissions and delays in launching new generation capacities. Attempts to solve the problem by making certain changes to the legislation do not produce the desired result.
Based on the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) findings analysis, it is expected that the US energy industry will further develop its shale oil and gas extraction, along with the increase in the share of renewable energy sources (RES) and wide introduction of energy-saving technologies in the country’s energy balance in 2019, and in the longer term.
The United States can become the leader in reducing CO2 emissions (by means of intensification of appropriate actions at the federal level), which will create conditions for stabilizing the level of energy consumption for the period up to 2050.
The EU leadership pays considerable attention to creation of competitive electricity markets in states – members to the Energy Community Treaty and places additional duty on the secretariat of the organization to develop recommendations and monitor the implementation of relevant reforms.
The European Commission released a report on the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan on Batteries, which was approved in May 2018. The purpose of this report is to review progress in the implementation of a coordinated EU policy on overcoming the dependence on the import of batteries and technological backwardness from key competitors in East Asia.
