EU can boost the integration of European electricity markets
07 May 2009 by M&CThe European Union can regulate electricity markets in a more structured way in order to create a single European electricity market. This is the conclusion of PhD student Hanneke de Jong, who will receive her PhD degree from Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands on 7 May 2009. In her dissertation ‘Towards a single European electricity market’ she introduces a method that can be used by European policy makers to determine which regulatory strategy is most effective in the case of market integration.
Up until now, European policy makers have largely followed a ‘trial-and-error’ approach, making it difficult to translate goals on a European level to concrete rules and regulations. To accelerate the development of effective measures, De Jong researched how the European Union draws up rules for electricity markets. In her research she focused on three case studies: congestion management, market transparency and interconnector investment. The case studies resulted in an inventory of aspects that are relevant in the process of choosing a regulatory strategy. On the basis of the inventory, De Jong designed a method containing 22 questions that can help European policy makers to make well-considered decisions concerning regulatory strategies. The so-called STARMODE (Structural Approach to Regulatory Mode Decision-making)-method can serve as a handle in the decision making process. De Jong adds that the STARMODE-method is not a ready made solution for all situations. It can help European policy makers to think about regulatory frameworks for the European electricity market more clearly.
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Please contact science information officer, Ineke Boneschansker, if you have any questions. Tel: +31 (0) 15 278 8499, e-mail: i.boneschansker@tudelft.nl.
