2013/2128(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the numerous benefits of smart grids to ~~decarbonise~~green the economy, increase the share of renewable energy and distributed generation, create conditions for efficient use of electricity in transport, give consumers the ability to adapt their consumption to benefit from the lowest prices and at the same time save energy, improve energy efficiency, ~~and also boost EU technology development~~boost EU technology innovation and development and also encourage consumers to become "prosumers" - producing their own energy and selling surplus back on the market or receiving credit for the electricity, making use of net metering;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the numerous benefits of smart grids to decarbonise the economy, increase the share of renewable energy and distributed generation, create conditions for efficient use of electricity in transport, give consumers the ability to adapt their consumption to benefit from the lowest prices and at the same time save energy, by improveing energy efficiency, and save electrical power and reduce costly investments in electricity grids, by using energy outside peak periods, and also boost EU technology development;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the numerous benefits of smart grids to decarbonise the economy, increase the share of renewable energy and distributed generation, ensure the security of supply to households, create conditions for efficient use of electricity in transport, give consumers the ability to adapt their consumption to benefit from the lowest prices and at the same time save energy, improve energy efficiency, and also boost EU technology development; points out that the development and use of smart grids greatly reduces energy loss during transmission and distribution;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the numerous benefits of smart grids to ~~decarbonise the~~bring about a low-emission economy, increase the share of renewable energy and distributed generation, create conditions for efficient use of electricity in transport, give consumers the ability to adapt their consumption to benefit from the lowest prices and at the same time save energy, improve energy efficiency, and also boost EU technology development;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the numerous benefits of smart grids to ~~decarbonise the economy~~lowering greenhouse gas emissions, increase the share of renewable energy and distributed generation, create conditions for efficient use of electricity in transport, give consumers the ability to adapt their consumption to benefit from the lowest prices and at the same time save energy, improve energy efficiency, and also boost EU technology development;

Amendment 16 #

Rachida DATI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines the numerous benefits of smart grids to decarbonise the economy, increase the share of renewable energy and distributed generation, create conditions for efficient use of electricity in transport, give consumers the ability to adapt their consumption to benefit from the lowest prices and at the same time save energy, improve energy efficiency, and also boost EU technology development; stresses, therefore, the importance of taking into account their position at the intersection of energy and environmental policies by undertaking a general review and rationalisation of the legislation and existing objectives;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that the deployment of smart grids also provides an opportunity to boost the competitiveness and worldwide technological leadership of EU technology providers such as the electrical and electronic engineering industry, consisting mostly of SMEs.

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Points out that grid infrastructure, grid management and market regulations are currently geared to the needs and possibilities of nuclear and fossil-fuel power stations and thus represent a competitive disadvantage for new technologies such as renewable energies;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Commission to take measures to remove the key barriers such as: lack of interoperability and standards (standardised plug and play would reduce costs and allow connectivity also of small Distributed Energy Resources -DERs ( or small DR applications); uncertainty over roles and responsibilities in new smart grid applications; uncertainty over sharing of costs and benefits and consequently over new business models; consumer resistance to participating in trials; the range of regulatory arrangements in Europe might present significant barriers to the replicability of project results in different countries.

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that smart grids are the result of ~~convergence between the energy and~~the increasing role of the information and communications technology (ICT) sectors in the network management of the energy sector and that further cooperation and synergies between these sectors must be encouraged, e.g. with regard to the efficient use of radio spectrum across Europe and smart energy functions in the ~~future ‘Internet of Things’~~decentralised energy systems; asks the Commission to take the necessary measures to ensure the coherent and efficient deployment and operation of smart grids; notes with concern the serious questions posed by such synergies in terms of data protection and privacy, increased tariffs, and for energy network operators potentially being in a situation where they have to buy data from the telecoms companies to fulfil their fundamental responsibility - that of operating, maintaining and developing an efficient electricity distribution system; stresses that energy operators must hold key responsibility in the smart grid business model;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the urgent need for new, modernised, smart and flexible energy infrastructure at all network levels, especially smart grids, to allow for more flexible back-up and balancing power capacity, including individual microgeneration and storage systems, new electricity uses (such as electric vehicles) and demand-response programmes; ~~welcomes the strong emphasis placed on electricity projects of common interest in the Connecting Europe Facility~~stresses the need to ensure greater cooperation on the part of transmission system operators and the determined, transparent, coordinated and timely involvement of all stakeholders in the extension and modernisation of the energy infrastructure; welcomes the strong emphasis placed on electricity projects of common interest in the Connecting Europe Facility and stresses that smart grid projects at distribution system level must be taken into account; emphasises that infrastructure projects must fulfil sustainability and competitiveness criteria and be underpinned by an integrated approach, which shall be ensured by involving distribution system operators;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the urgent need for new, modernised, smart and flexible energy infrastructure, especially smart grids, to allow for more flexible back-up and balancing power capacity, including individual microgeneration and storage systems, new electricity uses (such as electric vehicles) and demand-response programmes; welcomes the strong emphasis placed on ~~electricit~~smart energy projects of common interest in the Connecting Europe Facility, while regretting that only two smart grid projects were included in the current two year list;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises the urgent need for new, modernised, smart and flexible energy infrastructure, especially smart grids, to allow for more flexible back-up and balancing power capacity, including individual microgeneration and storage systems (albeit still at a very high cost), new electricity uses (such as electric vehicles) and demand-response programmes; welcomes the strong emphasis placed on electricity projects of common interest in the Connecting Europe Facility and stresses the importance of developing North-South energy connections in the Mediterranean;

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Notes that persisting uncertainty over the business case for smart grid applications and the sharing of costs and benefits among participants is a factor limiting private investments;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Underlines that funding still plays a crucial role in stimulating private investment in smart-grid R&D and demonstration projects.

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that in most Energy Roadmap 2050 scenarios, the proper integration of distributed renewable generation will be unfeasible without the development of local and regional smart distribution network grids for electricity, particularly since they generate information links and electricity supply links between local socioeconomic development areas; adds, nevertheless, that the added value of smart grids is even greater as they communicate on a wider scale – national or even European – and controlling electricity demand on this scale, by spreading the demand, provides more opportunities for eliminating consumption (consumption sources) when local production is too low (or too high);

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that in most Energy Roadmap 2050 scenarios, the proper integration of distributed renewable generation will be unfeasible without the development of local and regional smart distribution network grids for electricity; highlights that as the large majority of all distributed renewable generation is connected at low and medium voltage level so more action is needed on the distribution networks;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that in most Energy Roadmap 2050 scenarios, the proper integration of distributed renewable generation will be unfeasible without the development of local and regional smart distribution network grids for electricity, and therefore calls for greater importance to be attached to the distribution networks;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Recalls that in most Energy Roadmap 2050 scenarios, the proper integration of distributed renewable generation will be unfeasible without the development of local and regional smart distribution network grids for electricity allowing flexible management and necessary back- up for those intermittent energy sources;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses, however, that the development of smart grids is about the efficient transporting of energy with the least amount of lose or waste from the site of production to the site of final use; underlines that smart grids are needed in the future for all energy sources, independent if an energy supply is renewable or otherwise;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that smart grids are the result of co~~nvergence~~llaboration between the energy and the information and communications technology (ICT) sectors and that further cooperation between these sectors must be encouraged, e.g. with regard to the efficient use of radio spectrum across Europe and smart energy functions in the future ‘Internet of Things’; asks the Commission to ~~take~~draw up the necessary ~~measure~~recommendations to ensure the coherent and efficient deployment and operation of smart grids;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for cooperation in the development of smart grids at European, national and regional level, particularly in the islands and regions with an electrical peninsula configuration, as well as in regions facing electricity instability owing to a high penetration of intermittent energies; believes that smart grids offer a unique opportunity to boost innovation, job creation and the competitiveness of European industry with particular reference to SMEs;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for cooperation in the development of smart grids at European, national and regional level; believes that smart grids offer a unique opportunity to boost innovation, research and development, job creation and the competitiveness of European industry at local and regional level with particular reference to SMEs;

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for cooperation in the development of smart grids at European, national and regional level; believes that smart grids offer a ~~unique~~n important opportunity to boost innovation, job creation and the competitiveness of European industry with particular reference to SMEs;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for cooperation in the development of smart grids at European, national and regional level; believes that smart grids offer a unique opportunity – also at local level – to boost innovation, job creation and the competitiveness of European industry with particular reference to SMEs;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Regrets the lack of a structured dialogue at the European level between the DSOs and the European Commission; underlines that without DSO cooperation, smart grid policy cannot be implemented or deployed; asks the Commission to assess the need for the creation of a single European DSO network, equivalent in some functions to the ENTSO-E and ENTSOG groupings;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Asks the Member States to further cooperate and share best practices in the CEER forum on the regulation of national DSOs; while noting the diversity of the organisation of DSOs, where some Member States have a single DSO while others has more than 800, encourages Member States to work closer together; calls on the Member States and the Commission to agree an unified classification of whether an organisation is a transmission operator, a distribution operator or a combined operator;

Amendment 36 #

Rachida DATI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the Commission to assess whether it is necessary to bring forward proposals, in line with the third internal energy market package, for the development and promotion of smart grids as this could increasingly allow the involvement of more market participants and boost potential deployment, development and maintenance synergies throughout the telecommunications and energy networks; stresses, however, that these proposals should be integrated into a harmonised and streamlined regulatory framework in accordance with the principles laid down by the Commission, including as part of the REFIT programme;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the Commission to assess whether it is necessary to bring forward proposals, in line with the third internal energy market package, for the development and promotion of smart grids – which must continue to be guaranteed by means of effective action by the Commission in all the Member States – as this could increasingly allow the involvement of more market participants and boost potential deployment, development and maintenance synergies throughout the telecommunications and energy networks;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Takes note of the 16th April 2013 CEER status review of DSO unbundling as required by the third energy package, which finds a clear lack of progress; calls on the Commission to review the implementation of the unbundling clauses of the package and to assess if further measures are needed; moreover, asks the Commission to assess the exemption of the unbundling clause granted to DSOs with less than 100,000 customers;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the Commission to take steps to accelerate smart grid deployment and to focus on the following aspects: stimulating investment and financial incentives in this area; developing technical standards; ensuring data protection for consumers; establishing a regulatory framework to provide incentives for smart grid deployment; guaranteeing an open and competitive retail market in the interest of consumers; providing continued support to innovation for technology and systems.

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that smart grids are the result of convergence between the energy sector and the information and communications technology (ICT) sectors, which is becoming increasingly important, and that further cooperation between these sectors must be encouraged, e.g. with regard to the efficient use of radio spectrum across Europe and smart energy functions in the future ‘Internet of Things’; asks the Commission to take the necessary measures to ensure the coherent and efficient deployment and operation of smart grids;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that smart grids should not place a financial burden on consumers but should benefit them by delivering accurate user- friendly information and empowering them to efficiently manage their energy consumption and production; requests, in this regard, that the level of energy consumption required for smart meters to provide economic advantages must be duly scrutinized and below those levels no obligation of investments shall be imposed to consumers;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that smart grids should ~~not~~ place a minimal financial burden on consumers ~~but~~ and should benefit them by delivering accurate user-friendly information and empowering them to efficiently manage their energy consumption and production; notes that users’ decisions are guided by the network use tariffs, and therefore an adjusted pricing signal can be used to accelerate and coordinate the energy transition by ensuring consistency between network development and individual decisions;

Amendment 42 #

Rachida DATI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that smart grids should not place a financial burden on consumers or a regulatory burden on enterprises, but should benefit them by delivering accurate user- friendly information and empowering them to efficiently manage their energy consumption and production;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that smart grids should not place a financial burden on consumers but should benefit them by delivering accurate user- friendly information ~~and~~ empowering them to efficiently manage their energy consumption, and production and that energy savings must be reflected in their final bills;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Recalls that smart grids should not place a financial burden on consumers but should benefit them by delivering accurate, transparent, user- friendly and readily- accessible information and empowering them to efficiently manage their energy consumption and production; advice and support must therefore be made available to the demand side;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Emphasises the role of smart grids to allow two-way communication between electricity producers and customers; underlines that strong personal data protection and readily available consumer information is essential; for accurate billing; notes that smart 'meters' are often confused with smart 'grids' and that a smart grid - in addition to ensuring security of supply - enables a more intelligent energy market, allowing for a paradigm shift in the way energy is produced and consumed; notes concerns specifically over the consumer benefits of smart meters and calls for greater evaluation of this area and further research into data protection and data privacy;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Emphasises the role of smart grids to allow two-way communication between electricity producers and customers; underlines that strong protection of individual freedoms and personal data ~~protection~~ and readily available consumer information is essential;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Emphasises the role of smart grids to allow two-way communication between electricity producers and customers; underlines that strong personal data protection, including the protection of personal privacy, and readily available consumer information is essential;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Stresses the need for improved data protection and privacy regulation and practice when smart metering systems are installed; emphasises that guaranteeing data protection and data privacy for all individuals and households connected to the grid is imperative for the functioning and deployment of smart grids; stresses that data gathered must only be used for ensuring the security of supply of electricity; calls on Member States to enforce data protection rules and to uphold individuals' rights in this area;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Asks the Commission to issue further guidance as to the use of personal and non-personal smart grid data in the light of the revised EU legislation on data protection and to agreed rules on the ownership and management of this data by DSOs, providers or other commercial bodies;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Underlines that a smart electricity grid opens the door to new applications with far-reaching impacts: providing the capacity to safely integrate more renewable energy sources (RES), electric vehicles and distributed generators into the network; delivering power more efficiently and reliably through demand response and comprehensive control and monitoring capabilities; using automatic grid reconfiguration to prevent or restore outages (self-healing capabilities); enabling consumers to have greater control over their electricity consumption and to actively participate in the electricity market

Amendment 50 #

Laurence J.A.J. STASSEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Urges the Member States, and regional and local authorities, to incorporate and create financial incentives for investments in ICT solutions such as smart grids with the aim of creating a prosumer market.deleted

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Stresses the importance, given the technical nature of smart grids, of informing and educating users to become informed prosumers who are aware of the opportunities offered by these grids, particularly as regards their link to smart meters; stresses the importance of this awareness-raising being targeted at young people through educational programmes for secondary school pupils and vocational students;

Amendment 52 #

Lambert van NISTELROOIJ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Draws attention to the initiatives which the EIT is pursuing in the KIC InnoEnergy for research and development relating to smart grids and training of professionals in this sector; draws attention, furthermore, in this context, to the new scope for establishing Regional Innovation Schemes (RIS), as facilitated by the EIT in the period 2014- 2020;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Recalls that in some Member States, rural communities suffer from blackouts and other issues due to under-maintained networks or insufficient investments; asks the Commission to assess special measures to ensure that smart grids reach rural communities; notes, however, that basic energy infrastructure upgrading and maintaining should continue in areas unlikely to be priorities for smart grid deployment;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Recalls the 2011 Standardization Mandate to support European Smart Grid deployment which was to complete its work in 2012; welcomes the progress made under this mandate but stresses that further work is needed; asks the Commission to engage with the standardisation bodies to speed up the completion of their work and to issue a new mandate if deemed necessary;

Amendment 55 #

Lambert van NISTELROOIJ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Notes the importance of the thematic concentration ‘low-carbon economy’ as pursued by the European Structural and Investment Funds, as a result of which 20% of this funding will be invested in the energy transition, with much focus on smart grids;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that the increasing share of Europe’s electricity supply represented by renewable energies makes it necessary to expand the existing network and IT infrastructure and that there must therefore be greater investment in research and development and prompt European standardisation.

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. - having regard to the June 2013 Final Report of the FP7 'THINK' project entitled 'From Distribution Networks to Smart Distribution Systems: Rethinking the Regulation of European Electricity DSOs'

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. -having regard to Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER) 16th April 2013 report entitled, 'Status Review on the Transposition of Unbundling Requirements for DSOs and Closed Distribution System Operators'

Amendment 9 #