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JRC Smart Electricity Systems

The electricity transition socio-technical interface

Our role

Against this background,

  • we assess consumer engagement dynamics and activities related to smart electricity systems. 
2020 - Collective action in the energy sector: insights from EU research and innovation projects

2020 - Collective action in the energy sector: insights from EU research and innovation projects

This report analyses EU-funded collective action projects in the energy field. The objective is to provide an overview of the current state of play of relevant research and innovation activities in the EU and to identify the research gaps to be addressed in the future.

The report focuses on collective action projects that combine the use of new technologies, business models and community engagement approaches to support consumers in changing the way they use electricity.

The analysis is also supported by an overview of projects that address the social dimension of the energy transition and promote the development of collective action initiatives at policy, institutional and societal level.

H2020 Project – AnyPlace

H2020 Project – AnyPlace

AnyPLACE (Adaptable Platform for Active Services Exchange) project intends to develop a modular energy management system capable of enhancing the interaction between end-users, market representatives, electricity network operators and ICT providers. The proposed solution will allow performing energy remote metering (electricity, gas, heating and cooling), exploiting electricity networks in a more efficient manner and turning end-users in active energy market players enabling them to manage their energy expenditure and to become more efficient. End-users will be able to take part in new energy services and take advantage of dynamic price tariffs to minimise their energy costs.

JRC is contributing to the project with its expertise in end-user engagement and in the assessment of the societal implications of deployment of the AnyPLACE platform.

2017 - Prosumer behaviours in emerging electricity systems

2017 - Prosumer behaviours in emerging electricity systems

This dissertation investigates the interface between technology and society in the emerging electricity systems and in particular the role of the energy prosumer in the energy transition. It contributes to the understanding of the role of consumers in emerging electricity systems within the current EU energy policy context where consumer active participation is regarded as "a prerequisite for managing the energy transition successfully and in a cost-effective way". Emerging energy systems are characterized by a high level of complexity, especially for what concerns the behaviour of social actors. Social actors interact through physical and social networks by sharing information and learning from one another through social interactions. These interactions determine self-organization and emergent behaviours in energy consumption patterns and practices. The dissertation argues that the best suited tool to study emergent behaviours in energy consumption patterns and practices, and to investigate how consumers' preferences and choices lead to macro behaviours is agent based modelling. To build a sound characterization of the energy prosumer, the dissertation reviews the current social psychology and behavioural theories on sustainable consumption and collects evidence from EU energy prosumers surveys, studies and demand side management pilot projects. These findings are used to inform the development of an agent based model of the electricity prosumer that also includes the modelling of the social network. The analysis of the simulation results provides interesting insights on how different psychological characteristics, social dynamics and technological elements can strongly influence consumers' choices and overall system performance. 

2017 - An agent-based model of electricity consumer: smart metering policy implications in Europe

2017 - An agent-based model of electricity consumer: smart metering policy implications in Europe

This paper discusses results from an agent-based model is developed, where the electricity consumer behaviour due to different smart metering policies is simulated. EU Regulation 2009/72/EC concerning common rules for internal market in electricity calls upon 80% of EU electricity consumers to be equipped with smart metering systems by 2020, provided that a positive economic assessment of all long-term costs and benefits to the market and the individual consumer is guaranteed. Understanding the impact that smart metering systems may have on the electricity stakeholders (consumers, distribution system operators, energy suppliers and the society at large) is important for faster and effective deployment of such systems and of the innovative services they offer. Consumers are modelled as household agents having dynamic preferences on types of electricity contracts offered by the supplier. Development of preferences depends on personal values, memory and attitudes, as well as the degree of interaction in a social network structure. We are interested in exploring possible diffusion rates of smart metering enabled services under different policy interventions and the impact of this technological diffusion on individual and societal performance indicators. In four simulation experiments and three intervention policies we observe the diffusion of energy services and individual and societal performance indicators (electricity savings, CO2 emissions savings, social welfare, consumers’ comfort change), as well as consumers’ satisfaction. From these results and based on expert validation, we conclude that providing the consumer with more options does not necessarily lead to higher consumer’s satisfaction, or better societal performance. A good policy should be centred on effective ways to tackle consumers concerns.

2016 - Evolving role of distribution system operator in end user engagement

2016 - Evolving role of distribution system operator in end user engagement

This paper discusses the evolving role of the distribution system operators towards end user engagement approaches and strategies. The European Commission communication on delivering a new deal for energy consumers places the citizens at the centre of the Energy Union, "where they take ownership of the energy transition, benefit from new technologies to reduce their bills, participate actively in the market, and where vulnerable consumers are protected". Smart metering infrastructure is an enabling technology towards consumer empowerment, allowing for consumers' active participation in the energy market and promoting system flexibility through demand response schemes and other innovative services. It is the consumer’s use of the smart metering systems however - and not the infrastructure in itself - that will improve system efficiency and ultimately lead to energy savings. In this context, the present paper will provide an overview of some surveys carried out at European level to help shedding light on which attitudes, preferences and concerns drive the consumption behaviour of European consumers and influence their engagement with new smart grid technologies. These insights will be taken into account to analyse the distribution system operator's (DSO) position in the future development of local distribution grids and energy related services. In particular, the role of technology acceptance and consumer engagement with the new technologies and solutions will be highlighted. Finally, conclusions on the need to further investigate different solutions, putting consumers at centre stage of their development, will be dra.

2016 - Exploring Community-Oriented Approaches in Demand Side Management Projects in Europe

2016 - Exploring Community-Oriented Approaches in Demand Side Management Projects in Europe

This paper seeks to investigate if the theoretical and political trends towards a more collective dimension of energy use are reflected in the design and development of demand side management (DSM) pilot projects in Europe. Specifically, the paper analyses DSM projects in the database of the JRC to capture signs of a new attention towards the wider context in which consumers live and towards the social dimension associated with energy consumption. To this end, the paper investigates the projects’ scope (in terms of project’s partners, end-use sectors and targeted services) as well as the consumer engagement strategies that projects use.

These elements reflect the projects’ consideration for the socio-economic dimension of the community where the pilots take place and their inclination to build on community dynamics. The analysis shows that DSM projects in the EU are increasingly being designed and developed with a collegial approach to energy consumption in mind, although an integrated approach is still missing. In addition, research is still needed to link the use of this innovative approach to project results. A closer look at the developments and results of these projects can help to identify what works and what doesn’t in real life experiences, thus supporting effective policy making at the EU and national level.

2014 - Consumer and Community in the Future Electricity Network

2014 - Consumer and Community in the Future Electricity Network

This paper shows how the analysis of European smart grid projects points to an increasing interest in consumers and communities as focal players for the success of the future electricity system. Integration of growing shares of renewable energy sources into the electricity networks have resulted in the need for electricity network upgrade through pervasive deployment of information and communication technologies. Having power sources close to the consumer premises and exploiting the potential of smart metering infrastructure may lead to consumers’ empowerment and energy savings. Therefore, the consumer should be approached with clear engagement strategies in the early stages of the technological system development. This necessitates characterization of the consumer as well as the community from what concerns values, beliefs and goals that are culturally and geographically located. In this context, this contribution presents and discusses some EU smart grid projects with a focus on consumers and on their interactions within the community. The abstract also demonstrates successful consumers’ engagement strategies in large-scale deployment of smart metering systems at national level, highlighting the need to address social needs and concerns at an early stage of the technological system development.

2013 - Market-Based Control in Emerging Distribution System Operation

2013 - Market-Based Control in Emerging Distribution System Operation

This paper presents a conceptual framework for “Market-based Control” for the operation of emerging distribution systems.

In emerging electrical distribution systems, a multitude of self-interested individual decision makers interacts among themselves and with the power grid. The optimal operation of the grid, according to a set of predefined technical and economic targets, can be achieved by influencing the behaviors of the decision makers with appropriate market signals. The technical feasibility and performance of the system, for example, in terms of line flow limits, network losses, and appropriate voltage profile, can thus be controlled to a certain extent, by market signals. 

Characterized by distributed and adaptive control signals over prosumers, market-based control needs to make prosumer benefits aligned with regulator/DSOs concerns, thus satisfying the requirements from both sides. By applying market-based control in network charging, both network and market performances can be improved. The complexity in the environment and in the interactions among players prompt techniques to be derived from complex systems theory. A multiagent model was built up for testing the market control strategies strategy. The concept and applications are illustrated with reference to a standard CIGRE medium-voltage distribution network.

2013 - Consumer engagement: An insight from smart grid projects in Europe

2013 - Consumer engagement: An insight from smart grid projects in Europe

This paper provides an insight into consumer engagement in smart grid projects in Europe. Projects analysed are those included in the catalogue annexed in the JRC Report "Smart Grid projects in Europe: lessons learned and current developments”. The analysis suggests an increase in the interest in consumer engagement projects at European level and a strong focus on the residential sector, and emphasizes the key importance of public funding to support these projects.

The study also reveals that projects involving consumers are characterized by the pursuit of two main objectives: gaining deeper knowledge of consumer behaviour (observing and understanding the consumer) and motivating and empowering consumers to become active energy customers (engaging the consumer). The paper reviews the main activities undertaken to obtain these objectives and highlights trends and developments in the field. Finally, the paper discusses obstacles to consumer engagement and the strategies adopted by the projects surveyed to tackle them, highlighting the need to build consumer trust and to design targeted campaigns taking into consideration different consumer segments. The conclusions are in line with findings and analyses presented in the literature and underscore the need for further research and action at European level.

2013 - Enabling consumer engagement in the future electricity networks

2013 - Enabling consumer engagement in the future electricity networks

This paper provides an insight on the current trends and developments on consumer engagement and behaviour in smart grid projects in Europe. The initial analysis points out an increase in the interest in consumer engagement in the European smart grid, in particular in the residential sector. In this respect, the results show that successful demand side integration is based on gaining deeper knowledge of consumer behaviour, engaging and empowering the consumer to become an active energy player. Along with these objectives, uncertainties associated with the consumers behaviour need to be addressed, in particular: 1) lack of trust and 2) use of different motivational factors, such as electricity bill reduction, environmental concerns, better comfort provision, etc. A first analysis of the survey shows that DSOs have started developing projects aimed at getting to know consumers’ preferences and behaviour and the impact of their choices on system‘s operations. For that reason, the DSOs have started acting as one of the key enablers for consumer integration in the distribution network operation and planning. The paper also discusses potential solutions for enabling consumers’ engagement such as advanced network concepts, like microgrid and multi-microgrid. In the context of these concepts, central to the consumers’ engagement is adoption of Advanced Metering Infrastructures and decentralised control approach that also allow for growing capacity of distributed (in particular renewable) generation while playing a significant role in the future evolution of the electric distribution networks.

2013 - The social dimension of Smart Grids: Consumer, community, society

2013 - The social dimension of Smart Grids: Consumer, community, society

This report presents the role of the consumer in the future electricity system and, after discussing the findings of the analysis of the JRC smart grid projects database, discusses the challenges ahead, namely, understanding, engaging and protecting the consumer. The report also discusses the increasing important role that communities can play in the success of smart grids. Renewable energy, decentralized energy sources and smart grid technologies will empower all prosumers, from households to small and medium sized enterprises, as well as larger companies, to integrate their consumption and production of energy in networks that would function more like ecosystems than markets. The modernization of the grid, with power and data flowing in both directions, to and from the prosumers, will demand and enable new market structures, new services, and new social processes. As a consequence, the most important challenge for policy makers over the next decade will likely be the shift away from a supply-driven perspective, to one that recognizes the need for the integration of the different dimensions and actors of the energy systems. In this context, the aim of the present report is to shed light on the different components of the social dimensions of the smart grids, from the perspective of the consumer, community and society at large, and to highlight and discuss the main challenges that surround it.

2012 - Smart Energy Grids and Complexity Science

2012 - Smart Energy Grids and Complexity Science

This report proposes ideas and an approach to address present and future challenges in future smart energy systems through the particular lenses of complexity sciences. Complexities arising inside and around emerging energy distribution systems prompt a multilayered and integrated approach in which different disciplines and areas of expertize are pooled together. 

The interfaces between system layers and intellectual disciplines are the focus, rather than on the details of any individual layer or the particularities of one approach.

A group of people sharing this view and willing to proceed in this way organized a workshop at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, Petten, the Netherlands on 24th June 2012. Experts from different field of expertise convened to present their current research and discuss the future challenges of emerging smart energy systems via the aforementioned perspectives.