The challenge of decarbonizing the energy sector, broadening clean energy access, and addressing energy poverty goes beyond the realms of technology and policy. It’s fundamentally about human connection. In my discussions, I stressed the importance of creatively rethinking our strategies. We must rebuild trust in our approaches, ensuring they genuinely resonate with the communities they aim to benefit.

At CEDEC, I focused on the vital role of Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in bridging gaps between the technical and human sides of the energy sector. These organizations are more than just technical entities; they are integral to our daily energy experiences. From restoring power in emergencies to making impactful decisions, DSOs have a mission that transcends their traditional roles. They have a unique local insight that can be pivotal, especially for the vulnerable and energy-poor. I argued for a future where DSOs fully embrace this role, fostering trust and leading change through creativity and strong connections.

During the SolarPower Europe event, I discussed the critical challenges our planet faces at the intersection of climate and human interests. I shared my conviction that while solar technology holds great promise, its true impact unfolds when it integrates with the complexities of everyday life. With millions still lacking basic electricity or adequate home heating, our solutions must be attuned to the diverse needs and aspirations of different communities. I emphasized the importance of embracing our differences to create impactful solutions.

As a policy consultant passionate about people, I am dedicated to bringing the energy transition narrative from the periphery to the forefront. Participating in SolarPower Europe’s jury was not just an honour but a validation of my mission. I celebrated the achievements of REScoop.eu as the Gold Solar Diversity Champion and applauded SolarEdge Technologies and SoliTek for their respective Silver and Bronze Awards.

These events underscored a key message I’ve been advocating: It’s time to rethink the energy dialogue. We have a wealth of innovative ideas, models, and brilliant minds at our disposal. I continue to champion the idea that creativity, connection, and trust are essential in navigating this journey. The energy transition is about people, their stories, and making sure their voices are heard.

I firmly believe in the power of diversity and inclusivity. Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, enhancing collective intelligence and fostering innovation. I urge businesses to embrace this diversity, paving the way for creativity and innovation. Many inspiring stories can be heard on my podcast.

Let’s maintain this momentum. Do get in touch with Next Energy Consumer to build new ideas and pathways in our shared journey towards a sustainable and equitable energy future.

The post Creativity, Connection, and Trust: My Vision for Energizing Change appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

CEES partners with organizations from various sectors, including finance, healthcare, and emergency services, to equip them with the most effective tools to tackle energy poverty head-on. During the meeting, we discussed practical examples from all around Europe, brainstormed, and shared feedback from old and new friends and colleagues. The Energy Community Partners, including ALIenergy, Coopérnico, Enercoop, SCIC Les 7 Vents, Repowering London, REScoop.eu, Zelena energetska zadruga (ZEZ), University of Birmingham, The ENERGY ACTION Project & SNAP Solutions, are all at the forefront of transitioning to a just and sustainable energy system while creating outstanding advocacy and awareness.

Scaling up community energy projects to tackle energy poverty is a complex task. We identified two critical avenues that hold the key: consolidating local networks and securing funding streams that are not tied to specific projects or actions. Building trust and engagement takes much longer than a pilot’s lifespan, and partnering with the right people and organizations is key to success.

People are at the heart of community energy – the social aspect is central to everything we do. As we work towards our goal of building a just and inclusive energy transition that empowers communities and addresses energy poverty, we must remember that context matters, and one size does not fit all. By continuing to work together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

I am proud to be part of this groundbreaking initiative and extend my congratulations to everyone involved. Let’s keep working together to tackle energy poverty and positively impact communities across Europe.

The post Empowering Energy Communities to Tackle Energy Poverty: Insights from CEES Project Meeting in Athens appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

As we all know, Africa is particularly vulnerable to the devastating impacts of climate change. With increasing pressure to meet the growing demand for clean energy, it’s more important than ever to establish clear and effective dialogues across the industry. During our round table, we were honored to welcome a variety of distinguished panelists and international experts, each bringing their own unique perspectives on the topics of women in the energy sector, the vital role of solar energy, and digitalisation in meeting the ever-growing need for clean energy.

Collaborating with the talented Dimitri, Anne-Carole, Luc, and Raouf to organize this event was a true honor – and I’m already looking forward to the next one in 2024!

Download here the report in English and French.

The post First International Energy Players Round Table appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

One of the primary takeaways from the panel was the importance of asking “why.” The ability of youth to question the status quo and challenge existing power structures is critical to driving change and creating a fairer and greener future. Small and big changes are equally essential and can significantly impact local, national, and international levels.

“2050 seems far away for some people. But for Millennials and Gen Z, it’s within our working lives that these challenges need to be solved“

The speakers emphasised the need to address energy poverty in the context of climate change, recognising that the two issues are deeply interconnected. They highlighted the importance of resilience in areas already experiencing the effects of climate change, such as heat-stressed areas (Northern India, for instance). They also emphasised the significance of gender equity and the health sector’s role in addressing energy poverty: the solutions must be multi-levelled, and clean energy access is a baseline for further action.

What was most inspiring about the panel was the young speakers’ audacity to dream big and set ambitious goals. They recognized the importance of complementary views, breaking silos, and building trust to create a shared vision for the future. They stressed the need to address root causes and take action-oriented approaches to fill the gaps in current systems.

As the moderator, I was heartened to see the energy and enthusiasm of these young people. Their lived experiences bring a unique perspective to the conversation and underscore the urgency of addressing energy poverty and climate change through the lens of the youth. They are the leaders of today – not only tomorrow.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues, particularly Manon Burbidge, who put in a lot of effort and dedication to make this event a success. With the International Energy Poverty Action Week, have created a space for young people – and not so young! – to share their ideas, visions, and hopes for a fairer and greener future. Let us continue to work together to turn these ambitions into action and create a better world for all.

The post Asking “why” is the ability of the youth – some thoughts on the International Energy Poverty Action Week appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

Introduction: A Call for Balance and Progress

On October 28th, 2022, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) in Mexico presented a draft of the new regulations regarding distributed energy – the primary mechanism enabling self-generation in the country. But is it enough? 

This reform proposes new progressive elements, such as finally allowing collective contracts or defining the storage capabilities for self-generators. However, Ombudsman Energía México and other civil society organisations such as AIDA and Earth justice warn that while the new regulation offers positive changes, significant limitations remain, and other modifications are openly regressive. The new rules could eliminate net metering as a compensation method in medium electric tension projects, leading to a change in prices offered to buy energy from this kind of generator below market value.

The Mexican energy sector has undergone various degrees of participation from both private and public actors over the past century. Yet, it has failed to fully guarantee human rights and social justice principles. To find a balance between these two, recent national regulatory changes have proposed a shift towards a more democratic energy sector that allows for direct consumer participation and control in conjunction with three other crucial aspects of energy transition: decentralisation, digitalisation, and decarbonisation. This article will examine the latest developments in Mexico’s energy sector, including a brief history of the industry, the need for reform, and how citizen participation and a proper democratisation of the sector can lead to a more sustainable, socially just future.

The History of Mexico’s Energy Sector

To fully understand the current situation of the Mexican energy sector, it’s essential to look at the conditions that led to its creation. During the second half of the 19th century, a rise in foreign investment from the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Canada coupled with the country’s rapid modernisation led to socioeconomic inequalities. Foreign investors’ involvement in mining and textiles led to the creation of the country’s first power plants, allowing electricity to expand rapidly. By the early 20th century, prominent players like the Mexican Light and Power Company, based in Toronto, were consolidating themselves, providing energy beyond industrial needs. However, this led to foreign actors capturing the energy sector, resulting in long working hours in poor conditions, as evidenced by worker protests in Río Blanco and Cananea in 1906.

After the Mexican Revolution ended in the 1920s, the Mexican government took a more active role in the energy sector, regulating and limiting the actions of big economic interests. The 1930s saw a push for nationalisation of the energy industry, with the first organised consumer rights movements demanding lower energy prices and better service conditions. By the 1960s, the energy sector was entirely under state control and significantly influenced Mexico’s industrialisation.

The energy sector in Mexico gradually lost its grip in the 1990s as economic crises emerged and free-market ideology resurged. Efforts to increase private participation in energy generation in the early 2000s were limited to self-generation for industrial actors and the capacity to sell their surplus to the national grid. The Energy Reform proposed in 2013 by then-President Enrique Peña Nieto aimed to open electricity generation to private participation, offering lower prices, attracting investment, creating jobs, and modernising the sector. However, this reform did not consider incentives for national private actors or strong human rights protections in developing new energy projects. This led to violations linked to the sector’s growth in the last decade. Finally, consumer rights were also weakened, exposing them to power abuse from public and private actors.

State or Market: an impossible choice?

In this historical review, the reader should not conclude that the fully publicly owned energy sector was a panacea. The Mexican State is known to be as, if not more, abusive in its use of power than private actors, and this case is no exception. Currently, the attempt to return to this model by the current president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has not focused on modernising infrastructure or investing in renewable energy. Instead, López Obrador’s policies have tried to subordinate independent regulators to the federal government and raise tariffs significantly for private self-generators. Moreover, the government has not fixed the broad powers CFE has for disconnecting users or strengthened the ability of the State to respond to human rights violations related to energy projects.

Mexico has debated whether the State or the market should rule the energy sector for over a century. One of the overarching themes presented in defence of these two sides is that both argue that they are what is best for the consumer. However, both have failed them fundamentally, questioning their ability to deliver what they promise.

Empowering the Masses: Why Popular Control and Participation is Essential

What is missing in this debate is popular control and participation. So far, most people in the country have been passive actors in how the energy sector has been structured. There have been numerous precedents of social mobilisation. Still, there has been a systematic failure to translate them into long-lasting mechanisms and institutions to fulfil the demands of these mobilisations. In the absence of control, there is arbitrariness in how power is exercised, and without participation, there is dependence on those in power.

Mexico’s Energy Transition and Climate Crisis

Today, there is an added dimension to the debate on the energy sector: the energy transition and the climate crisis. Mexico has a bad track record in reducing its emissions. Despite making the principles of the Paris Agreement legally binding, their enforcement has been shaky. The progressivity principle was not followed, given that the targets of the 2020 Nationally Determined Contributions were the same as the first one shared in 2015. Only after continuous criticism and legal action from civil society actors was a new one proposed for the recent COP27. Moreover, the government has recently announced that it will not achieve its target of 35% energy generation through renewable sources by 2024 but by 2031.

The Importance of Distributed Generation

The distributed generation mechanism is crucial because it can decentralise the energy sector and the power exercised by traditional players while incentivising the implementation of renewable energy technologies. Distributed generation allows for the generation near the point of use, meaning inside houses, businesses, etc., instead of central generation sources from power plants.

Mexico’s regulation provides for three ways of compensation: net metering, net billing, and total sale. This was one of the big successes of the 2013 reform. From 2017 to 2022, distributed generation contracts under net metering increased exponentially (from 59,232 to 300,624!), mainly based on solar technology.

Net Metering

Net metering is a popular compensation method for calculating the energy difference between the total energy delivered by the supplier and the total energy generated by the self-consumption installation in a billing period through the General Distribution Networks. Compensation is based on the energy flows between the supplier and the consumer, and the energy is valued at the same price for the billing period. When the difference is negative, it is credited to the billed energy measurement for each subsequent billing period for a maximum of 12 months.

Net Billing

Net billing, on the other hand, considers the energy produced by the self-consumption generator independently from the power the supplier provides. The generator injects electricity into the grid, which is paid at the Local Marginal Price at the interconnection point. The electricity company charges the energy that the user consumes from the grid at the rate of their property. Total sale operates under the same principle, but the generator has no energy consumption, and all energy is sold at the Local Marginal Price.

Energy reforms could scrap net-metering 

In late October, the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) proposed a reform to eliminate net metering for medium electric tension projects, replacing it with a self-consumption model similar to Spain. This new model reduces the generator’s ability to recover the project’s costs and establishes a lower rate for the sale of surplus electricity, focusing on minimising the amount of electricity injected into the grid by this mechanism. The reason behind the change is to protect the profits of the state company CFE since, under the current model, not only are the numbers of consumers declining, but they have to compensate them.

Barriers to Entry: How Reduced Compensation for Surplus Energy is Limiting Access to Distributed Generation

Most cases of distributed generation under net metering oversize the project’s capacities beyond self-consumption needs, intentionally generating surplus energy to use the incentive offered under this compensation method to make the project viable. While there are still savings in the electric bill under the self-consumption model, it doesn’t consider the cost of financing. Suppose compensation for the sale of surplus energy is reduced. In that case, the capital available for financing repayment is also reduced, making the investment less attractive and eliminating the incentive for credit institutions to grant funding to install this distributed generation project. This creates an entry barrier, making it harder for smaller projects to access financing, limiting a path to energy access and adopting distributed generation systems in homes and for users with lower consumption.

Moreover, the proposed reform extends this generation’s technical, security, and maintenance requirements, which are left to be absorbed entirely by the generator. While stronger regulation could improve the quality of these projects and the State’s monitoring capability, it becomes an additional burden if no incentives match the effort.

Collective Contracts and Distributed Energy Resources Systems, but at What Cost? 

The reform includes collective contracts for the first time, allowing energy delivery to the Load Centres of one or more Beneficiaries when they share a Common Interconnection Point with the distributed generation Power Plant. However, a more ambitious version was struck down in 2020, which allowed people to enter this contract with actors in different locations without requiring a Common Interconnection Point. Furthermore, Load Centres operating under self-generation permits from before the 2013 reform will be unable to use this type of contract. The reform also includes the figure of Distributed Energy Resources, allowing the installation of storage systems, which are not counted as additional capacity to the Net Installed Capacity of the Power Plant. However, there are some blind spots regarding the absence of an explicit need for secondary normativity to regulate these storage arrangements.

Conclusion: again, Mexicans are once again caught between a rock and a hard place

Mexicans are again facing a tug-of-war between the different forces searching to shape the future of the energy sector. In the balance, we find one of the most significant achievements for citizen control and participation in the sector we have had in the last hundred years, distributed generation. If the reform is passed, we will find ourselves with a diluted version of this mechanism that no longer presents the economic incentives that make it viable for those that could benefit the most, especially small businesses. Our current situation in the face of the climate crisis leaves little room to learn from our mistakes. This regression would be costly.

The post Citizen Participation in the Mexican Energy Sector: Striving for a Sustainable, Socially Just Future appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

Niccolò Fattirolli brilliantly led the discussion on European market designs, while Guillermo Amann and Laura Luna Moreno Morales steered the debates on energy market designs and opportunities in Spain.

I had the immense honour of ending the event, not with any conclusions but with some thoughts and inspirations on the storm we are facing, the place and mobilisation of consumer-citizens in the energy transition, the massive challenges of electrification, and the importance of teamwork to break down silos.

But why did I put giraffes in my slides?

Energy is an ecosystem where everyone plays a specific role in maintaining balance, like these giraffes in the savannah. Energy is more than a technical issue. It is a legal, commercial, cultural, and weather forecasting issue. It is deeply political.

What we see today is an imbalance, leading to a crisis of confidence. And large and small companies, DSOs and TSOs, regulators and policymakers are an essential part of the ecosystem needed to restore stability. But this can only work if we bring the people who foot the bills to the table – that’s #democratisation. 

How can we do that? 

To create engagement, humans need

1. Trust because it is essential to harnessing passion and effort. Trust is about connection, love, about knowing that everything will be okay. 

2. Hope – by leading the way and sharing positive stories. It lets us know that we can safely aim for and do more extraordinary things to thrive. Leaders are dealers of hope. 

3. Recognition and reward for our value and skills. It is about being rewarded for our actions and abilities. It’s about feeling respected and listened to, about understanding that there are things we can do.

And these giraffes are also a nod to my daughter, who accompanied me on this trip (and, as some of you know, thinks her mum is a vet!). I would never have been able to participate in this event if Alicia Carrasco had not shown such empathy and human intelligence in facilitating our trip and allowing me to balance my professional and personal lives. This elegance is proof of a very great leader. This is true inclusiveness. 

¡Enhorabuena al equipo de OlivoEnergy!

The post FEL2050 Foro Español de Energía Limpia appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

I had the honour of moderating the very crowded democratisation hub on 30 November, focusing on energy communities. The democratisation of the energy sector is critical. It can increase the capacity for action of individuals, especially those belonging to traditionally marginalised groups, such as women, indigenous communities and vulnerable communities. When democratised, the energy sector can fulfil its role as a human right that goes beyond the commodity relationship. And that’s exactly why we need energy communities. Energy communities fill the gaps, and enable a true take off of energy democracy.

Speakers Xavi Bou Torrent of ELECSUM, Cristina Mata Yandiola of Powerledger, Gregor Taljan of Energienetze Steiermark GmbH, Michael Pinto of Cleanwatts, Georg Hartner (Oesterreichs Energie), Paul De Wit (ALLIANDER), Fatuma Ali of Grid Singularity, Antoine Mathieu and Matthias Masschelin of ELIA, and Johannes Slacik (Energie Institut an der JKU Linz).

The energy and cost-of-living crisis we are experiencing now reminds us how vital energy is to our quality of life and that millions of people risk falling into energy poverty today and tomorrow if our energy systems do not become much more resilient to structural shocks and energy efficiency is implemented at a much faster pace.

Of course, democratising energy systems is a complex and fascinating subject. Alongside the three other Ds, decarbonisation, digitalisation and decentralisation, democratisation is today an essential ingredient for creating a true energy justice recipe, which is essential to ensure peace and prosperity while reconciling climate and social objectives. 

The speakers all had fascinating experiences to share, from all over Europe.

My key takeaways:

1⃣ renewable electricity can only take off if it is used close to the place it is produced (#flexibility), meaning we to strengthen local grids and networks, as well as energy communities business models 

2⃣ DSOs and TSOs are the key enablers, as they are engaged with constant dialogues with regulators and policymakers, as well as suppliers and energy service providers 

3⃣ yes the technology is mature and benefits are very clear BUT consumer engagement remains the elephant in the room…

… which made me reflect on the overall social impact of energy communities, which was barely addressed. 

So the big questions are: how do you make energy communities mainstream and not another instrument for a handful of healthy, wealthy, and witty individuals? How can the benefits of those very technical energy community-enabling tools trickle down to everyday people, and make sure the most vulnerable do not end up paying a ‘poverty premium’?

If we want an energy transition that works for the people, we should also make it WITH the people. We are not living in pristine lab environments but experiencing complex, often messy, lives. So the first step should be listening to the people.

I’m enthusiastic about energy communities because if they are built with empathy and are fair by design they are a way to build trust, mend distorted social bonds, and perhaps overcome isolation and vulnerability. But for this magic to happen we need to get where people are, engaging with as many people and organisations as possible, including municipal social services, charities, ombudsmen… and I’m not sure any technology can replace that. 

I am very proud and grateful for ENLIT Europe team for letting me express my views and demonstrate that alternative to technocentricity actually exist: you can check page 42 of the magazine to read my piece on energy poverty and ways to overcome it or read it here. You can also find here a piece on international collaboration to address energy poverty.

The post Technology Cannot Replace Human Relationships appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

The post Trust must be earned. Keynote speech – EURAC SSPCR 2022 appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

The post Make sustainability sexy for consumers, with Monique Goyens, BEUC appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.

This toolkit is not an exhaustive document. It is not, nor does it replace, specific training on vulnerability issues. It is there to encourage a discussion. To remind everyone in an organisation, such as an energy ombuds or an energy service provider, that not everyone has the same level of opportunity. But that everyone, in their own way, can do something to make their services more relevant to everyone’s needs and perhaps make the world a better place. 

We concluded our Just Energy project with a meeting with Lindsey Poole (Advice Service Alliances), Marta Garcia Paris (Ecoserveis) and Dr Elizabeth Blakelock (Ofgem), all of whom are experts on vulnerability issues and all of whom are as excited as we are to share and encourage businesses to do their best to address vulnerability. You can watch the recording here.

What we will remember is that vulnerability is not something obvious. It is systemic. It is often hidden. It is reflected in many different situations, and in all cases, it does not have to be destiny. Vulnerability can be overcome by working together, by showing solidarity, by complementing each other. It is the people who are suffering from it, who are affected by it, who are the experts. We need to listen to them to find the solutions.

As we will have seen in our research project, and in particular in our book, most people who need access to justice do not know where to start. They have other problems. They have to navigate complex systems, and so they need allies at all levels to help them get through it.

We wish you a good read. We hope that this toolkit will travel around the world. Please let us know if you want to translate it into your language. It will be an honour for us to share it beyond our project!

Thanks to you. 

The Just Energy Team

PS: don’t forget to listen to the episode of Energ’Ethic about the project!

The post Become an ally to overcome vulnerability appeared first on Next Energy Consumer.