Getting more PVs onto Europe’s Rooftops – and more Renewables into the Distribution Systems

The PVP4Grid Project Partners are glad to invite you to our next interactive policy workshop on PV prosumers “Getting more PVs onto Europe’s Rooftops – and more Renewables into the Distribution Systems"

The previous EU Policy Workshop organised under the PVP4Grid Project took place on last 21st November, and put its focus on developing solutions that can help identify and remove barriers that prevent larger numbers of European consumers to become PV prosumers – please find the event’s program and presentations here.

The debate demonstrated that in this context, a large range of issues related to distribution networks require further discussion among decision-makers, the renewable energy industry and operators of energy distribution systems: how do we enable and incentivise that both PV Prosumers and DSOs benefit from connecting and integrating higher RES shares in efficient and sustainable ways, and make sure to maintain security of supply at the same time.

If we are serious about getting the European Green Deal done, we will need to significantly increase the RES share in the EU’s energy mix – and explore in detail how to improve the regulatory framework in ways that allow for enabling many more PV prosumers on one hand, while making the required transformation to smarter, flexible (and renewable!) energy systems feasible and affordable on the other.

Therefore, the workshop aims to shed light on the upcoming policy options that EU decision-makers could (or should) develop under the Green Deal, and showcase and debate findings from the PVP4Grid project as for developing and better integrating PV Prosumer Solutions in the Distribution Networks across Europe.

We look forward to debating among a high-level audience of selected EU decision-makers and stakeholders from across the energy and climate protection community, and hope that you can enrich our workshop with your expertise and join this debate which we believe as crucial for effectively decarbonising Europe.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to pave the way towards a greener and cleaner energy future!

EU Workshop Draft Agenda

12h30 Networking Lunch

13h30 Welcome and Introduction. Dirk Hendricks, Secretary General, European Renewable Energies Federation (EREF)

13h45 Introductory Presentation Policy Panel: The Evolution of Distribution Networks towards Decentralised (Renewable) Energy Systems. Professor Michael Pollitt*, University of Cambridge

14h15Policy Panel: The Green Deal & Europe’s Decentralising (Renewable) Energy Infrastructure: What’s Next for PV Prosumers and DSOs?

• Jörg Mühlenhoff*, Energy Scenarios Policy Coordinator, Climate Action Network Europe

• Dr. Manuel Sanchez*, Team Leader Smart Grids, DG ENER, European Commission

• Roberto Zangrandi, Secretary General, EDSO for Smart Grids

• Veli-Pekka Saajo*, Deputy Director General at Energy Authority Finland & Chair Distribution System WG, Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER)

Moderator: Dr. Dörte Fouquet, Director, European Renewable Energies Federation (EREF). 5-10 min short presentations by each panellist, followed by interactive debate

15h15 Coffee Break

15h45 Introductory Presentation Solutions Panel: Integration and Development of PV Prosumer Solutions in the Distribution Networks –Main PVP4Grid Findings from across Europe

Dr. Eduardo Román, Solar Photovoltaic Manager, Energy and Environment Division, Tecnalia

16h15 Solutions Panel: Connecting PV Prosumers and Distribution System Operators: how can we make benefit BOTH?

• European Commission Representative*

• Johannes Radl, Institute of Energy Systems and Electrical Drives, Energy Economics Group, TU Wien

• Randolph Brazier*, Head of Innovation, UK Energy Networks Innovation

• Walburga Hemetsberger*, Chief Executive Officer, Solar Power Europe

• Alicia Carrasco, Director, ENTRAAggregation and Flexibility

Moderator: Christoph Winter, Solar Energy Solution Management, Fronius International. 5-10 min short presentations by each panellist, followed by interactive debate

17h30 Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks. Maria Roos, Advisor Solar Technology, German Solar Association

*speaker tbc