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 #

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 #

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 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Whereas the CEER defines smart grids as being "electricity networks that can cost-efficiently integrate the behaviour and actions of all users connected to it – generators, consumers and those that do both – in order to ensure economically efficient, sustainable power systems with low losses and high levels of quality and security of supply and safety",

source: PE-522.897

2013/11/28 REGI 67 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)

- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 16 January 2013 on the role of EU cohesion policy and its actors in implementing the new European energy policy,1 __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0017

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on Member States and the regions to invest as early as possible in local smart grids by using the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), including financial instruments to leverage private investment, taking into account the environmental, economic, social and territorial needs of the specific region, as nd factoring in its characteristics, as there is no single solution for all regions; calls for a flexible approach at local level to reduce the barriers to combining measures for energy production, and storage ~~and~~ , including in cross-border scenarios, with a view to energy-efficiency, and to work with other sectors such as the information and communication technology (ICT) and transport sectors;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on Member States ~~and the region~~, regional and local authorities to invest as early as possible in local smart grids by boosting investments using the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), including financial instruments to leverage private investment, taking into account the environmental, economic, social and territorial needs of the specific region, as there is no single solution for all regions; calls for a flexible approach at local level to reduce the barriers to combining measures for energy production, storage and efficiency, and to work with other sectors such as the information and communication technology (ICT) and transport sectors;

Amendment 12 #

Luís Paulo ALVES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on Member States and the regions to invest as early as possible in local smart grids by using the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), including financial instruments to leverage private investment, taking into account the environmental, economic, social and territorial needs of the specific region, as there is no single solution for all regions; calls for a flexible approach at local level to reduce the barriers to combining measures for energy production, storage and efficiency, and to work with other sectors such as the information and communication technology (ICT) and transport sectors; points to the importance of reversible pump storage systems linked to the exploitation of renewables and geothermal energy in particular, especially in isolated island systems;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on Member States and the regions to ~~invest as early as possible~~thoroughly consider an investment into local smart grids by using the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), including financial instruments to leverage private investment, taking into account the environmental, economic, social and territorial needs of the specific region, as there is no single solution for all regions; calls for a flexible approach at local and regional level to reduce the barriers to combining measures for energy production, storage and efficiency, and to work with other sectors such as the information and communication technology (ICT) and transport ~~sectors~~;

Amendment 14 #

Luís Paulo ALVES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Urges that best practice be put to better use; points out that many European regions have pursued projects within the existing EU framework which have both fostered synergies in selected areas and promoted energy sustainability and renewables, as has been done in the ‘MaRes’ project (Macaronesia Research Strategy) and the ‘Green Islands project’;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the deployment of smart grids requires a stable, long-term policy framework; calls on the Commission to propose ~~ambitious, binding target~~strategies for 2030 for energy efficiency and renewable energies as well as for greenhouse gas emissions, in order to give future certainty to investors and interconnected industries and to facilitate a smart energy system;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the deployment of smart grids requires a stable, long-term policy framework; calls on the Commission to propose ambitious~~, binding target~~ policies for 2030 for energy efficiency and renewable energies as well as for greenhouse gas emissions, in order to give future certainty to investors and interconnected industries and to facilitate a smart energy system;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the deployment of smart grids requires a stable, long-term policy framework; calls on the Commission to propose ambitious, binding targets for 2030 for energy efficiency and renewable energies as well as for greenhouse gas emissions, in order to give future certainty to investors and interconnected industries and to facilitate a smart energy system;(Does not apply to English version)

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the deployment of smart grids requires a stable, long-term planning and policy framework; calls on the Commission to propose ambitious, binding targets for 2030 for energy efficiency and renewable energies as well as for greenhouse gas emissions, in order to give future certainty to investors and interconnected industries and to facilitate a smart energy system;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a more flexible approach in EU regulations and directives on the internal market to reduce barriers to region-specific solutions in terms of energy production, supply, storage and efficiency measures and the combination of such measures, including public-private partnerships and cross-border projects;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 b (new)

- having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 10 September 2013 on the implementation and impact of the energy efficiency measures under Cohesion Policy,2 __________________ 2 Texts adopted, P7_TA(2013)0345

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses th~~at citizens must be involved in all phases of energy and grid planning, implementation and transformation, with public participation at each stage,~~e need for public involvement at every stage of energy and grid planning and the active involvement of distribution service operators (DSOs) and providers of smart grid technologies; encourages citizens to become ‘prosumers’, with individuals and communities producing their own renewable energy and able to sell the surplus back to the grid, making use of net metering and thus taking advantage of the economic opportunities and acting as strong local partners engaged in sustainable energy production and energy saving within an overall regional energy concept;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that citizens must be involved in all phases of energy and grid planning, implementation and transformation, with public participation at each stage, and the active involvement of distribution service operators (DSOs) and providers of smart grid technologies; encourages citizens to become ‘prosumers’, with individuals and communities producing their own renewable energy and able to sell the surplus back to the grid, making use of net metering and thus taking advantage of the economic opportunities and acting as strong local partners engaged in sustainable energy production and energy saving within an overall regional energy concept; believes, however, that long-term design of a number of existing national RES support schemes has led to overcompensation and has often not prioritized the most effective way of applying renewable technologies for private households in various regions;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that citizens must be involved in all phases of energy and grid planning, implementation and transformation, with public participation at each stage, and the active involvement of distribution service operators (DSOs) and providers of smart grid technologies; encourages rapid deployment of advanced metering infrastructure that provides two-way flow of information and enables citizens to become ‘prosumers’, with individuals and communities producing their own renewable energy and able to sell the surplus back to the grid, making use of net metering and thus taking advantage of the economic opportunities and acting as strong local partners engaged in sustainable energy production and energy saving within an overall regional energy concept;

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that citizens must be involved in all phases of energy and grid planning, implementation and transformation, production and consumption, with public participation at each stage, and the active involvement of distribution service operators (DSOs) and providers of smart grid technologies; encourages citizens to become ‘prosumers’, with individuals and communities producing their own renewable energy and able to sell the surplus back to the grid, making use of net metering and thus taking advantage of the economic opportunities and acting as strong local partners engaged in sustainable energy production and energy saving within an overall regional energy concept;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that for smart grids to be successfully implemented, ~~Europe must pursue a ‘smart energy system’~~a strategy for regions and local communities aimed at "smart energy system" should be developed, with smart grids becoming part of the regional energy system and integrating a ~~high~~ share of energy from renewable sources, including decentralised generation capacities, ~~combined with demand-side management,~~ energy efficiency measures, the increase of energy savings, and smart storage solutions, the transport sector (e- transport) and increased exchange with neighbouring networks;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Notes the role that smart meters have in enabling two-way communication, allowing for accurate billing for consumers and increasing demand-side participation, where consumers adjust their habits according to peaks and troughs in energy production; stresses that citizens must receive the full benefits of a smart energy system and that citizen ownership increases behavioural efficiency and thus overall greater energy saving; emphasises the need for high standards for smart meters in terms of data protection, data privacy, and for enabling citizens to decide and control the data which is given to the network operators; highlights the crucial role of DSOs who have the ultimate responsibility in guaranteeing network security and stability, and therefore must have direct access to consumption and production data in order to ensure efficient, safe and secure smart grid operations;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission, and its Smart Grid Task Force, to update and expand its existing definition of smart grids to include the smart energy system; calls on local and regional authorities to manage energy consumption and load-shedding and adopt regional strategies based around a smart energy system;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission, and its Smart Grid Task Force, to update and expand its existing definition of smart grids to include the smart energy system; calls on local and regional authorities to ~~adopt~~work on adoption of regional strategies based around a smart energy system;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Emphasises that in order to ensure the economic efficiency of smart grids for regions it is necessary to combine direct and indirect advantages, linking the energy sector with several other sectors, particularly housing and transport, but also the environment, urban planning, social inclusion, waste management, and the construction sector, in order to achieve energy saving targets while at the same time maximising economic benefits and balancing a region's energy supply and demand;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Emphasises that the ICT sector has a crucial role in a smart energy system grid, as in real-time digital communication between all elements of the smart grid, from production to transmission to the end-user, ICT allows the bi-directional flow of information in a grid; calls, therefore, on the regions to include the development of different commercially attractive, interoperable ICT technologies for the creation of a smart energy system in order to maximize energy savings in regional planning involving smart grids;deleted

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the personal data collected in connection with the operation of smart energy systems are highly sensitive, since they can be used to gain an insight into consumer behaviour, and whereas special protection of this data must therefore be guaranteed;

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Emphasises that the ICT sector has a crucial role in a smart energy system ~~grid~~, as in real-time digital communication between all elements of the smart grid, from production to transmission to the end- user, ICT allows the bi-directional flow of information in a grid; calls, therefore, on the regions to include the development of different commercially attractive, interoperable ICT technologies for the creation of a smart energy system in order to maximize energy savings in regional planning involving smart grids;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Urges the Commission to take steps to ensure that electrical appliances (in particular, washing machines, dishwashers, heat pumps and storage heaters, etc.) are capable of operating automatically in conjunction with smart meters by providing consumers with economically favourable tariffs at times of excess energy (the application of the Internet of Things);

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Strongly encourages all regions to invest in smart energy systems as a potential source of local and sustainable jobs; highlights that the construction industry is one of the main areas where jobs will be created, not only through direct investments in smart energy grids, but also through investments in energy efficiency measures and renovations, for instance in the housing sector, and through the adaptation of that industry to new technological solutions for the construction of highly energy-efficient buildings;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Strongly encourages all regions and local authorities to invest in smart energy systems as a potential source of local and sustainable jobs; highlights that the construction industry is one of the main areas where jobs will be created, not only through direct investments in smart energy grids, but also through investments in energy efficiency measures and renovations, for instance in the housing sector;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Strongly encourages all regions to invest in smart energy systems as a potential source of local green and sustainable jobs; highlights that the construction industry is one of the main areas where jobs will be created, not only through direct investments in smart energy grids, but also through boosting EU technology development, innovation and the competitiveness of SMEs and through investments in energy efficiency measures and renovations, for instance in the housing sector;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Strongly e~~Encourages ~~all~~ regions to consider investment in smart energy systems as a potential source of local and sustainable jobs; highlights that the construction industry is one of the main areas where jobs will be created, not only through direct investments in smart energy grids, but also through investments in energy efficiency measures and renovations, for instance in the housing sector;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls on the Member States and regions to support academic and vocational training measures in the area of renewable energies, for example by introducing environmental technology courses and devising new types of apprenticeship (e.g. for solar energy technicians);

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Notes that in 2009 the Commission calculated that around 2.8 million jobs would be created through the achievement of its 2020 renewable energy targets, in addition to generating a total added value of around 1.1 % of GDP by 2030; points out that the European Renewable Energy Council estimates that if 45 % of energy were to come from renewable sources in 2030, 4.4 million jobs would be created and if Europe’s energy system were 100 % renewable by 2050, the sector would employ 6.1 million people;deleted

Amendment 38 #

Jan OLBRYCHT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 39 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes a paradigm shift for the regions in the way energy is produced and consumed, moving from an inflexible traditional model, which functions on a ‘base load logic’, to variable, decentralised and local production, integrating a high share of small-scale renewable energy with flexible and responsive demand and distributed storage; stresses that a smart grid is essential for such a paradigm shift and that smart grid implementation must be embedded in a cross-sectoral approach to regional development in order to maximise benefits for the reg(Does not apply to English versions;)

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on all regions to ~~invest in skills and training for these new jobs, taking~~take into account that a significant number of new local jobs can also be created in the ICT services, the transport sector and sectors that supply smart equipment and services, for instance for new installations;

Amendment 41 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on all regions to invest in skills and training for these new jobs, taking into account that a significant number of new local jobs can also be created in the ICT services, the transport sector and sectors that supply smart equipment and services, for instance for new installations, and hence to avoid any shortage of specialist labour and enable adaptation to the needs arising from the emergence of new professions in the respective fields;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on ~~all~~ regions to consider investments into skills and training for these new jobs, taking into account that a significant number of new local jobs can also be created in the ICT services, the transport sector and sectors that supply smart equipment and services, for instance for new installations;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Highlights that regions which successfully implement a smart energy system can attract further jobs to the region in the form of specialised training through setting up technical universities and colleges expert in this area; calls on regions to cooperate on smart specialisation and welcomes schemes where knowledge is shared between regions and across borders;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Highlights that public investment in smart energy systems, including through European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), can foster local sustainable employment opportunities ~~and long-term local benefits for the region~~, create synergy effects and spill-over effects on employment and long-term local benefits for the regions in economic, social and environmental spheres, and can equally be used as an instrument for overcoming economic challenges, especially in regions in crisis-hit countries;

Amendment 46 #

Nikos CHRYSOGELOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Calls on the Commission to cooperate with Member States in fiscal adjustment measures primarily through social and green innovative plans, as for example those based on smart grids;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Emphasises that the success of a smart energy system, as shown by studies on best practices and leading examples, is often due to local ownership by individual citizens, a cooperative, a local community or a combination of these actors; recognises that such ownerships increase the acceptance of investments in all elements of smart energy systems; ~~advocat~~emphasizes that citizens must be provided with better information, as well as incentives such as dynamic pricing mechanisms and appropriate ICT tools so that they could be involved at all stages of development of a smart energy system;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Emphasises that the success of a smart energy system, as shown by studies on best practices and leading examples, is often due to local ownership by individual citizens, a cooperative, a local community or a combination of these actors; recognises that such ownerships increase the acceptance of investments in all elements of smart energy systems; advocates that citizens must be involved at all stages of smart energy infrastructure, production and energy and grid planning distribution and at all stages of development of a smart energy system;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the Commission to remove the barriers, regulatory and legal challenges to local ownership in existing EU legislation, particular in the state aid rules; invites the Member States to support local energy feed-in possibilities and the sharing of local energy, not only bi-directionally between the grid and the end-user but also cross-border and between end-user units, encouraging local energy production ownerships and sharing of locally produced energy;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes a paradigm shift for the regions in the way energy is produced and consumed, moving from an inflexible traditional model, which functions on a ‘base load logic’, to variable, decentralised and local production, integrating a high share of small-scale renewable energy with flexible and responsive demand and distributed storage; stresses that a smart grid is essential for such a paradigm shift and that smart grid implementation must be embedded in a cross-sectoral and comprehensive approach to regional development in order to maximise benefits ~~for the regions~~and market opportunities for the regions as well as to achieve sustainability, growth and innovation;

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Underlines that smart energy systems will be operated with large amounts of personal data and many profiles and will bear a high risk of data security breaches; notes concerns specifically in relation to the consumer benefits of smart meters and calls for greater evaluation of this area and further research into data protection and data privacy of smart meters; ~~stresses, therefore, that personal data has to be protected, without exceptions, so that it remains protected and secure;~~

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Underlines that smart energy systems will be operated with large amounts of personal data and many profiles and will bear a high risk of data security breaches; notes concerns specifically in relation to cyber security of smart grid systems and the consumer benefits of smart meters and calls for greater evaluation of this area and further research into data protection and data privacy of smart meters; stresses, therefore, that personal data has to be protected, without exceptions, so that it remains protected and secure, and that cyber security has to be integrated into smart grid deployment strategies;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Emphasises that standards must be drawn up to govern the collection of data for smart energy systems in order to ensure that only relevant data are transferred, that no data are passed on to third parties and that customers have the right to inspect and delete the data collected;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls on the Member States to ensure that the Data Protection Regulation is strengthened and swiftly adopted; calls on the Commission to develop strong guidelines for data collection, data minimisation, data transmission and data security within a smart energy system; underlines that personal data must only be processed for the specific purpose of providing energy supply and only to the extent that is strictly necessary and that personal data must not be used for discriminatory pricing;deleted

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Calls on the Member States to ensure available consumer information and clear guidelines for data transmission and data security and to ensure that the Data Protection Regulation is strengthened and swiftly adopted; calls on the Commission to develop strong guidelines for data collection, data minimisation, data transmission and data security within a smart energy system; underlines that personal data must only be processed for the specific purpose of providing energy supply and only to the extent that is strictly necessary and that personal data must not be used for discriminatory pricing;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. 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 to the functioning and deployment of smart grids; stresses that data gathered must only be used to ensure the security of electricity supply; calls on Member States to enforce data protection rules and to uphold individuals’ rights in this area; emphasises that citizens shall keep the ownership of their data and have full control as to whom they grant access to this data;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. 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 to the functioning and deployment of smart grids; stresses that data gathered must only be used to ensure the security of electricity supply; calls on Member States to enforce data protection rules while maintaining and developing synergies throughout the telecommunication and energy networks and to uphold individuals’ rights in this area;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to focus on research, development and investment in sophisticated anonymisation tools, taking into account the importance of anonymising personal data in order to increase public acceptance of smart energy systems;deleted

Amendment 58 #

Jan OLBRYCHT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Highlights that under the new ESIF regulations for the period 2014-2020, Member States are obligated to concentrate ESIF resources on investments for a smart, sustainable and inclusive Europe; welcomes the minimum share to be set out for regions to concentrate, depending on their level of economic development, ~~up to~~at least 20 % of ERDF resources on the production and distribution of energy derived from renewable sources, energy efficiency, cogeneration of heat and energy, and low-carbon strategies, with particular emphasis on urban areas, as well as from smart grids at the distribution level; points out that the Cohesion Fund also allows for investment in this area and calls on the Member States to make best use of this new opportunity; points out, with regard to investments not covered by compulsory thematic concentration, that the ERDF may also be used to support the development of smart systems for the distribution, storage and transmission of energy and to integrate distributed energy generation from renewable resources;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcomes a paradigm shift for the regions in the way energy is produced and consumed, moving from an inflexible traditional model, which functions on a ‘base load logic’, to variable,~~Understands that in order to preserve sustainable development and to meet the requirements of the future demands new models of energy production and consumption based on decentralised and local production should be promoted, integrating a ~~high~~ share of small-scale renewable energy with flexible and responsive demand and distributed storage; stresses that a smart grid is essential for such a paradigm shift and that smart grid implementation ~~must~~should be embedded in a cross-sectoral approach to regional development in order to maximise benefits for the regions;

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Advocates that support for smart grids at distribution level must not be included within state aid; stresses that the deployment of smart grids and renewable energies should not be negatively affected by the newly-proposed reform of state aid on energy; calls on the Commission, in this context, to refrain from introducing a technology-neutral bidding system, as small-scale decentralised projects will mostly be excluded, which will hamper innovation and region-specific approaches;deleted

Amendment 61 #

Francesca BARRACCIU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)

25a. Calls on the Commission to prioritise investment in the creation of smart grids in the most geographically disadvantaged areas such as islands, in view of the additional energy supply costs that such areas have to meet and stressing that it is simpler to create smart grids in smaller and less populous areas;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Emphasises that interoperability for smart infrastructure is crucial, as regulatory uncertainty and different standards slow down the spread of smart infrastructure; therefore calls for greater cooperation between the different European technical standards organisations; highlights that open standards are needed to help interoperability and to accelerate technology development and deployment;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Recalls that Parliament has already adopted reports on the role of EU Cohesion Policy and its actors in implementing the new European energy policy, and on the implementation and impact of the energy efficiency measures under Cohesion Policy, which cover numerous issues raised above;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Draws attention to the initiatives which the EIT is pursuing in the KIC InnoEnergy for Research and development to smart grids and training of professionals in this sector;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Notes the importance of the thematic concentration aiming at the shift towards a low-carbon economy as pursued by the ESIF, as a result of which 20% of the funding will be invested in the energy transition, with much focus on the smart grids;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 c (new)

29c. Underlines the importance of initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors which is the mainstream European movement involving local and regional authorities in the fight against climate change. It is based on a voluntary commitment by signatories to meet and exceed the EU 20% CO2 reduction objective through increased energy efficiency and development of renewable energy sources., which endorse and support the efforts deployed by local authorities in the implementation of sustainable energy policies; stresses that local governments play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate change, all the more so when considering that 80% of energy consumption and CO2 emissions is associated with urban activity;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 d (new)

29d. Stresses the significance of regions with a smart specialization in energy, such as Energy Valley in the Netherlands, where public and private partners join efforts to explore regional growth opportunities in the energy sector;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Points out that the Burgenland region can be cited as an example of best practice, given that, through the early take-up of Structural Fund resources, targeted partnerships at local, regional, national and European level, an effective, decentralised implementation strategy for the exploitation of local energy resources, the use of local supply systems and the ongoing development of practical applications with local actors, it has become the EU region with the highest level of energy autonomy in arithmetic terms;

Amendment 8 #