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Prosumer Energy and Prosumer Power Cooperatives in the EU countries

Prosumer Energy

Prosumer Energy and Prosumer Power Cooperatives: opportunities and challenges in the EU countries

On 2nd February 2017 on the Official Journal of the European Union it was published the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Prosumer Energy and Prosumer Power Cooperatives: opportunities and challenges in the EU countries’ (own-initiative opinion) (2017/C 034/07). The EESC takes the view that the general development of distributed prosumer energy should form an important and sustainable part of the European Union’s energy policy. Such an approach would be beneficial and might even be necessary from the point of view of energy security and in light of environmental and social concerns.

A wide range of renewable energy sources can be used to generate prosumer energy, which is suitable for any area regardless of climatic conditions.

The wide-scale arrival of prosumers on the energy market has been made possible thanks to new technologies, the digital revolution and the expectations of consumers that they should be able to participate directly in economic processes.

To ensure that the concept of the prosumer is better understood in the Member States, it is suggested that the Commission draw up a framework definition of the prosumer covering essential common elements, such as: size of  the installation, individual and  collective power  generation, ownership of  the installation and  the issue of power  generation surpluses.

Prosumer Energy

The economic advantages of prosumer energy, which are mainly associated with lower energy transmission costs, better use of local energy sources and the economic activation of local communities, should in the not too distant future enable this kind of energy to be generated without the need for additional support mechanisms.

Smart living systems should be used to support optimal energy consumption by prosumers. The EESC calls for this to be included in the system solutions currently being drawn up by the European Commission.

The widespread introduction of prosumerism is a complex, multi-faceted and lengthy process. It is therefore important that solutions to encourage development of prosumer energy are sustainable over the long term.

For further details about recommendations, context, digital revolution, renewable and distributed energy sources, prosumer energy, energy cooperatives for prosumers, consult the official document of Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Prosumer Energy and Prosumer Power Cooperatives: opportunities and challenges in the EU countries’ (own-initiative opinion) (2017/C 034/07).

Sources:

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Prosumer Energy and Prosumer Power Cooperatives: opportunities and challenges in the EU countries’ (own-initiative opinion) (2017/C 034/07) (Avis du Comité économique et social européen sur les ‘Prosommation énergétique et coopératives de prosommateurs d’énergie: possibilités et défis dans les États membres de l’Union européenne’ (avis d’initiative) (2017/C 034/07))

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