Electricity Decentralization in the European Union

Electricity Decentralization in the European Union: Towards Zero Carbon and Energy Transition, Second Edition examines progress in decentralization across the European Union, with each chapter focusing on developments and innovations in a specific country. Sections provide an overview of the current role and state of smart grids, the conceptualization of energy transition, and specific cases across all EU states. Across the chapters, regulatory frameworks are assessed to identify to what extent it is conducive to decentralization, with specific outcomes of decentralization covered in detail, including deployment of smart grids and meters, demand response, electric vehicles, and storage. The book highlights how specific EU member states are progressing towards deployment of these tools and technologies, along with the specific needs and regulatory barriers in each and recommendations for how regulation can be more encouraging. In addition, electricity interconnections in the EU are considered as a vital step towards decentralization in order to boost energy security and energy efficiency. Finally, the book includes a detailed examination of data protection concerns that arise from the advent of new technologies that collect personal information, such as smart grids, assessing current regulation on data protection and identifying areas for improvement, as well as innovative finance options for sustainable energy. - Analyzes the regulatory environment with regard to decentralization - Explores new tools and technologies to facilitate decentralization, along with current progress in each - Addresses barriers and suggests improvements across tools, technologies and regulations

Rafael Leal-Arcas is Professor of Law, Vice-Dean for Research Grants & Director of Graduate Studies and Research, College of Law & International Relations, Alfaisal University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; He is the former Professor of European and International Economic Law, a Jean Monnet Chair holder (awarded by the European Commission), Program Director of the LLM in International Economic Law, and former Director of Research at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies of Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. He is also a former visiting professor at New York University Abu Dhabi in the UAE, and the Inaugural Lee Kong Chian International Visiting Professor of Law at the Yong Pung How School of Law of Singapore Management University, Singapore. Prof. Leal-Arcas's research is funded by the EU Commission's Horizon 2020 program, most notably a grant of EUR14 million as part of a consortium of 21 institutions to work on renewable energy and smart grids. He is the author or editor of 20 books to date, mainly on international trade, energy and climate change, and has authored over 215 scholarly publications in international peer-reviewed journals, with his work cited over 1,955 times. Since 2020, he is Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Public Law and Policy, and was previously Editor-in-Chief of Renewable Energy Law and Policy Review. Prof. Leal-Arcas also regularly serves as a subject expert or advisor on energy, climate change, and trade to political institutions and international organizations, as well as in various appearances at conferences and in the media.