What If...

I have seen a paradigm shift in the way the energy sector approaches innovation. We see more and more cross-sector innovation initiatives: companies that were viewed as a potential threat to the very existence of utilities now collaborate with many of them on smart engagement with consumers.

Paddy Young, Director, Enlit Europe

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The power sector has always been an innovation leader and has delivered unprecedented change over the last 2 decades. But whilst large OEMs continue playing a major role, the decentralisation of energy systems has opened up a different path to innovation at a micro level, that looks both at grid and generation, as well as demand and supply side in a more integrated way. To accelerate further, policymakers will need to work on the risk-reward balance. In many countries, the power sector is still too protectionist of the status quo and governments protect obsolete technologies. That heavily discourages true innovation and entrepreneurial behavior.

Joerg Gmeinbauer, Vice-President, Marketing & Sales, Bureau Veritas

 

How we increase customer engagement will be supported by innovation in technology and regulation. The actions and habits of the consumer will drive the European energy transition.

Paddy Young, Director, Enlit Europe

 

Full Article Here

 

Creating a customer-centric organisation where the customer experience is the largest focus will allow companies to become more adaptable to the changing needs and expectations of their consumers.

Noëlle Fischer, Chief Executive of Blicker

 

Consumers must be at the core when developing energy and mobility systems of the future, as they are key to accelerating the clean energy and mobility transition. The energy system must do more to empower citizens and remove existing barriers preventing them from taking control of their energy consumption and management.

Jayson Dong, Policy Manager, AVERE & Impact Circle member

 

Consumers are key to changing the energy model. They can choose to consume renewable energy only; they can become part of renewable energy cooperatives; they can even do a self-consumption installation. Ultimately, their decisions are key to accelerating the energy transition.

Energías Renovables, Media Partner of Enlit Europe

 

Consumers are an important part of the energy transition – however, they cannot be the sole drivers or hold all the power. They can be slow to embrace change and are largely driven by price. Therefore, technology and policy have equally important roles to play.

Junior Isles, Editor-in-Chief, The Energy Industry Times, Media Partner of Enlit Europe

 

Short term voluntary efforts will not be sufficient by themselves to achieve drastic reductions at the scale needed to achieve the 1.5°C goal; households instead need regulatory frameworks supporting their behavior changes, at least to get emissions reductions beyond 50%. In other terms, households will use their power to voluntarily cut about half of their footprints. But they need to be induced to go the rest of the way.

Benjamin Sovacool, University of Sussex

The biggest challenge would be getting consumers engaged. Currently, not enough consumers in fully liberalised markets exercise their ability to select either the lowest cost option or the greenest option. We need a combination of regulatory led initiatives, backed up by sound technology offerings, continued societal pressure and an educational campaign on the benefits of the energy transition to consumers - how they can do good, but crucially how they can gain. 

Jonathan Robinson, Energy Research Director - Power (Industrial), Frost & Sullivan (Enlit Europe Media Partner)

To engage in the energy transition, building consumers' trust is absolutely essential. They must trust the energy companies, the service providers, but also the policies and overall the economy! It is up to all the stakeholders to create a stable and motivating environment, allowing concrete empowerment. It means not only supporting consumers’ journey, but also providing the tools and resources to take the driver's seat. All kind of consumers should have a chance to get on-board. Therefore, we must also respect their personal circumstances and motivations, and never penalise those who are unwilling or unable to participate.

Marine Cornelis, Executive Director, Next Energy Consumer

 

Seeds of an emerging world with consumers at the centre of the energy transition are already here. Such seeds, once germinated, will play an important role in the transition – but they need the expert support of grid operators, who can act as market facilitators for secure, resilient and optimal use of all interconnected systems and sources.

ETIP SNET, Partner of Enlit Europe

 

If consumers drove the energy transition, our energy supply would be cheaper and cleaner at the same time. As of today, consumers – or prosumers – are already driving investments in clean energy. For companies, onsite renewables and green energy procurement have become important investment areas. Likewise, private citizens play an increasing role through investments onsite or participation in community projects.

Frauke Thies, Executive Director, smartEn

 

Read what some of our Italian stakeholders have to say about this What If... question:

• Adiconsum
• Assium - Associazione Italiana Utility Manager
• Inrete Distribuzione Energia
• Italia Solare
• Legambiente
• TERNA

 

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