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Municipal electricity utilities have a long history in Europe, with more emerging as cities look to lead the energy transition. The model has obvious advantages but has also suffered setbacks in some markets. In an increasingly competitive landscape, using the benefits of private partners may be the way forward
Municipal utilities are not a new phenomenon but in the 21st Century they could help drive the energy transition
GREATER TRANSPARENCY Public utilities are more upfront with how the funds are spent
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Municipal utilities can benefit from market experience by partnering with the private sector
KEY QUOTE Being non-profit driven enables you to align your priorities with climate requirements ...
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The argument for natural gas as a bridge to a cleaner renewable future has grown weaker as the case for electrification as the most efficient way to decarbonise has grown
In green and flexible power systems, services like rapid cures for hiccups in grid frequency can be valuable
“Electrification is the most efficient way of decarbonising”
The EBRD is increasingly active across the whole of Southeast Europe, which remains highly reliant on coal, to move it to cleaner energy sources
There is no clear definition of climate neutrality despite 117 cities worldwide setting it as a target in the coming decades. Where Paris will include all emissions it produces, regardless of the sector or source, Copenhagen only calculates CO2 emissions related to heating and electricity. But both will claim to be neutral. This results in different levels of ambition, says Raphael Hasenknopf from Energy Cities
Cities are feeling the heat more than outlying areas. The increased use of vegetation, reflective surfaces, building codes promoting ambitious energy efficiency standards and district cooling are being employed to provide heat relief and facilitate sustainable cooling for urban dwellers
Once regarded as a high risk gamble, buying green electricity directly from generators under a mutually agreed power purchase agreement (PPA) has become big business in the commercial and industrial sector. City authorities eager to cut their electricity bills and buy renewable are looking to get into the market. The new demand is set to drive big growth in renewables
Cities are taking the lead on the decarbonisation of district heating and cooling networks, with the use of heat pumps on the rise
The bigger the pool of energy demand, the less the ripples in supply from renewable energy are felt. Special report part 2/3
Despite an increase in sales in recent years, electric cars remain a novelty in many countries. One street in Norway, however, is miles ahead. Out of the 150 families living on Søndre Vei, a street outside Oslo, nearly 90% of them drive electric cars.
