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The Journal of the International Energy Agency - IEA

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CURRENT FOCUS<br />

PRIVATE SECTOR<br />

HOW THE EBC CAN HELP<br />

<strong>The</strong>re are a number <strong>of</strong> pending issues in <strong>the</strong><br />

development <strong>of</strong> renewables that could benefit<br />

from sharing ideas and proposals among<br />

members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EBC, and things could be<br />

speeded up if consensus is reached within<br />

<strong>the</strong> group at an early stage.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Tatanka Wind Farm extends across <strong>the</strong> border between <strong>the</strong> Dakotas in <strong>the</strong> United States.<br />

First <strong>of</strong> all, I would highlight <strong>the</strong> definition <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> right mix in order to achieve a sustainable<br />

energy system. True, this is a strategic<br />

decision that falls to governments, but it is<br />

a complex issue that requires co-operation<br />

among all parties to find <strong>the</strong> best solutions.<br />

It is not just a case <strong>of</strong> deciding on <strong>the</strong> system<br />

we want to achieve (and its consequences)<br />

but also <strong>of</strong> working out <strong>the</strong> plans and mechanisms<br />

required to reach <strong>the</strong> objectives set.<br />

contribute to achieving strategic objectives<br />

<strong>of</strong> general interest such as <strong>the</strong> fight against<br />

climate change, security <strong>of</strong> supply, <strong>the</strong> creation<br />

<strong>of</strong> a domestic industrial fabric, and<br />

economic stability through a reduction in imports<br />

<strong>of</strong> oil and gas. <strong>The</strong>n <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>the</strong> income<br />

that <strong>the</strong>se technologies generate locally,<br />

helping to create wealth in communities, a<br />

THE <strong>IEA</strong>’S KEY ROLE<br />

As you see, I have mentioned <strong>the</strong> <strong>IEA</strong>’s reports<br />

in several <strong>of</strong> my previous answers,<br />

and particularly <strong>the</strong> WEO. For us, it is a<br />

benchmark for <strong>the</strong> great energy trends in<br />

<strong>the</strong> world. I think it should be an essential<br />

tool for all stakeholders in <strong>the</strong> energy field<br />

worldwide; it is ideal for analysing situations<br />

and taking decisions in <strong>the</strong> field,<br />

providing a wide-ranging perspective and<br />

a medium- and long-term vision.<br />

Decisions on energy are <strong>of</strong>ten negatively<br />

influenced by <strong>the</strong> pressures <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> short<br />

term. This is hardly suitable for processes<br />

that should be consistent and carried out<br />

over a longer period, such as <strong>the</strong> creation<br />

<strong>of</strong> a new energy system for <strong>the</strong> world. For<br />

example, postponing <strong>the</strong> fight against climate<br />

change as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> economic<br />

downturn, instead <strong>of</strong> using it as an opportunity<br />

to overcome <strong>the</strong> crisis, is a shortterm<br />

measure that does not go in <strong>the</strong> right<br />

direction, one that is clearly marked out<br />

by reliable reports such as <strong>the</strong> WEO.<br />

factor that is particularly important in times <strong>of</strong><br />

recession.<br />

We must improve <strong>the</strong> power grid<br />

<strong>The</strong> improvement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> power grid is essential<br />

for <strong>the</strong> deployment <strong>of</strong> large-scale renewable<br />

energy. It is necessary to increase interconnections<br />

between countries and regions to<br />

facilitate <strong>the</strong> optimal exploitation <strong>of</strong> renewable<br />

resources, bringing <strong>the</strong>ir energy to significant<br />

demand hubs, helping trade to grow and facilitating<br />

effective cross-border energy exchange.<br />

It is also necessary to enhance power<br />

infrastructures inside countries to improve<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir systems’ stability and operation and renew<br />

distribution systems, increasing <strong>the</strong>ir intelligence<br />

and capability, to make better use<br />

<strong>of</strong> local resources and increase consumer<br />

participation.<br />

<strong>International</strong> and inter-regional co-operation is<br />

essential, not only for developing interconnections<br />

across <strong>the</strong> seas but also to harmonise<br />

regulations, to reach a consensus on market<br />

rules and to achieve a common operational<br />

framework and technical standards.<br />

Finally, improving <strong>the</strong> operation <strong>of</strong> distribution<br />

systems through <strong>the</strong> deployment <strong>of</strong> smart<br />

grids and storage systems will help with <strong>the</strong><br />

integration <strong>of</strong> local renewable resources and<br />

matching load and generation curves; this is<br />

particularly relevant in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> massive<br />

deployment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> electrical vehicle. We<br />

need to change <strong>the</strong> traditional conception <strong>of</strong><br />

passive loads into a paradigm <strong>of</strong> active consumers.<br />

Stronger promotion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> penetration <strong>of</strong> renewables<br />

in <strong>the</strong> energy system could also<br />

benefit from a consensus on, for example,<br />

supranational market mechanisms. <strong>The</strong><br />

EBC can be <strong>the</strong> ideal forum for agreeing on<br />

mechanisms for public-private collaboration<br />

to increase this penetration, and also <strong>the</strong><br />

mechanisms required to undertake projects<br />

in developing incipient technologies.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>r points for discussion are how to bring<br />

renewable energy sources to developing<br />

countries, how to facilitate <strong>the</strong> evolution <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> energy systems by using low-carbon<br />

technologies, and how to deploy systems to<br />

achieve total electrification, taking advantage<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> lessons learned by companies<br />

like Acciona <strong>Energy</strong> with experience in contributing<br />

to <strong>the</strong>se objectives. <strong>The</strong> exchange<br />

<strong>of</strong> experiences is also useful in defining and<br />

carrying out required modifications to existing<br />

power grids so that we can build efficient<br />

and clean electricity systems.<br />

Last, but not least, I would like to highlight <strong>the</strong><br />

idea that some governments have <strong>of</strong> changing<br />

<strong>the</strong> remuneration schemes <strong>of</strong> renewable<br />

plants through <strong>the</strong> retroactive modification<br />

<strong>of</strong> regulation affecting installations currently<br />

operating. Such measures, aimed at fighting<br />

<strong>the</strong> economic downturn, signal to investors<br />

that subsidies for renewable electricity generation<br />

are unreliable. Bankability is essential<br />

for large energy-development projects,<br />

and retroactive cuts have provoked a crisis<br />

<strong>of</strong> confidence not only on <strong>the</strong> renewable energy<br />

sector but on <strong>the</strong> economy as a whole.<br />

32<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Journal</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Agency</strong>

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