Legal challenges for smart grid deployment in the european union

Abstract

The present paper focuses on the legal opportunities for Smart Grid deployment in the European Union, in the light of the recasts of the Internal Energy Market Directive (IEM) and Renewable Energy Sources Directive (RES). The paper assesses the EU policy context for Smart Grids together with the relevant legal framework. Technical aspects and components of a Smart Grid are addressed to understand some Smart Grid requirements. An American model of codification is presented before focusing on the key Smart Grid novelties offered by the recasts of the IEM and RES Directives. Finally, conclusions are drawn on the status quo and next steps from a regulatory perspective that can help deploy Smart Grids in the European Union.