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Published online: 08 June 2023 Regulatory sandboxes are generally seen as an important tool to make policy and regulation evolve with the changes in our energy system and to create an equal playing field for new technologies and business models that arise with the energy transition. Although an increasing number of legal frameworks on regulatory sandboxes are being implemented in Europe, the pioneers in the Netherlands decided to close their sandbox program. These contradictory events lead to questions about the potential of regulatory sandboxes to bring innovation to the European energy sector. This paper contributes to this discussion by examining the experiences with regulatory sandboxes in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain. We compare approved sandbox projects based on their scope and regulatory derogations to identify areas of innovation and regulatory learning brought by regulatory sandboxes. We also examine the legal frameworks of the concerned countries to evaluate the interaction between the implementation of the framework and its potential to bring innovation. In this way, we develop best practices on the topics of regulatory sandboxes and their imple[1]mentation frameworks.

Published online: 08 June 2023 Regulatory sandboxes are generally seen as an important tool to make policy and regulation evolve with the changes in our energy system and to create an equal playing field for new technologies and business models that arise with the energy transition. Although an increasing number of legal frameworks on regulatory sandboxes are being implemented in Europe, the pioneers in the Netherlands decided to close their sandbox program. These contradictory events lead to questions about the potential of regulatory sandboxes to bring innovation to the European energy sector. This paper contributes to this discussion by examining the experiences with regulatory sandboxes in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain. We compare approved sandbox projects based on their scope and regulatory derogations to identify areas of innovation and regulatory learning brought by regulatory sandboxes. We also examine the legal frameworks of the concerned countries to evaluate the interaction between the implementation of the framework and its potential to bring innovation. In this way, we develop best practices on the topics of regulatory sandboxes and their imple[1]mentation frameworks.

AbstractIn this study we aim at assessing the potential of European regions to solar power generation and its comparison with recent European Union (EU) incentives for the development of this renewable energy source. In this study we use a multi-criteria assessment (MCA) supported by Geographical Information System (GIS) to combine already existing information on solar radiation with other geographical factors such as slope, land use, urban extent and population distribution, as well as proximity to the power grid to generate a suitability map for photovoltaic (PV) power plants across the EU at high spatial resolution. A validation exercise showed that the resulting suitability map is a good predictor of appropriate locations for the deployment of PV power plants. The suitability map was in addition compared to the regional distribution of European funds for development of solar energy from the EU Cohesion policy (2007–2013 programme). Regions were classified according their overall suitability for solar energy power systems and the allocated solar investments by the EU Cohesion policy. This analysis allowed to identify potential mismatches between fund allocations and actual regional suitability for solar energy. It is recommended that future fund allocations take into account suitability criteria for solar energy for optimised results of public policies.

AbstractIn this study we aim at assessing the potential of European regions to solar power generation and its comparison with recent European Union (EU) incentives for the development of this renewable energy source. In this study we use a multi-criteria assessment (MCA) supported by Geographical Information System (GIS) to combine already existing information on solar radiation with other geographical factors such as slope, land use, urban extent and population distribution, as well as proximity to the power grid to generate a suitability map for photovoltaic (PV) power plants across the EU at high spatial resolution. A validation exercise showed that the resulting suitability map is a good predictor of appropriate locations for the deployment of PV power plants. The suitability map was in addition compared to the regional distribution of European funds for development of solar energy from the EU Cohesion policy (2007–2013 programme). Regions were classified according their overall suitability for solar energy power systems and the allocated solar investments by the EU Cohesion policy. This analysis allowed to identify potential mismatches between fund allocations and actual regional suitability for solar energy. It is recommended that future fund allocations take into account suitability criteria for solar energy for optimised results of public policies.

The growth in the proportion of medium and light distillates in total petroleum product demand is forcing the oil refining industry to a process of supply adaptation by means of technological reconversion. In some countries this process is already advanced, while in others it is still at the starting point. As an alternative to technological reconversion, this adaptation may be achieved through the gasification of heavy refinery residues with electricity generation (ITGCC plants). The development of ITGCC plants represents product innovation and process innovation at one and the same time, for both the oil refining industry and the electricity sector. This article analyses the nature and importance of the innovation process itself, with emphasis on these aspects: its influence on the economic performance of oil companies and on directives concerning the technological transformation of refining systems; the competitiveness of the fuel cycle in terms of electricity generation cost and environmental impact; the prospects for future development in Europe and the construction programme in Italy.

The growth in the proportion of medium and light distillates in total petroleum product demand is forcing the oil refining industry to a process of supply adaptation by means of technological reconversion. In some countries this process is already advanced, while in others it is still at the starting point. As an alternative to technological reconversion, this adaptation may be achieved through the gasification of heavy refinery residues with electricity generation (ITGCC plants). The development of ITGCC plants represents product innovation and process innovation at one and the same time, for both the oil refining industry and the electricity sector. This article analyses the nature and importance of the innovation process itself, with emphasis on these aspects: its influence on the economic performance of oil companies and on directives concerning the technological transformation of refining systems; the competitiveness of the fuel cycle in terms of electricity generation cost and environmental impact; the prospects for future development in Europe and the construction programme in Italy.

Abstract Increasing energy efficiency of buildings by renovation and thermal insulation is widely seen as means to lessen energy demand and to increase thermal comfort. However, costs of renovation and the dangers of displacing low income, energy poor households due to rent increases are generally not addressed in literature on benefits of thermal insulation. In an exemplary manner for a selected case study in Austria this article investigates if reduced energy costs due to thermal insulation can offset rent increases. Results clearly show that this approach will not work for renting households at risk of poverty as their energy consumption mostly is already extremely limited before renovation (prebound effect), thus no further reduction can be expected after renovation as energy poor households tend to use renovation benefits for increased comfort rather than reduced consumption (rebound effect). As a consequence we propose the design of funding schemes to identify and prioritize socio-economic hot spots in housing stock.