Energy Transition: European Regulatory Policy

Utilities

It is a challenging time to be in the utilities sector. Transmission and distribution operators must embrace decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation to modernise the grid, while taking a necessarily robust approach to cybersecurity.

Everything as a Grid

Our work in power management is often at the grid edge. We serve customers traditionally described as ‘behind the meter’ in the commercial, industrial, and residential buildings sectors, as well as ‘in front of the meter’ in the generation and transmission arena.

The energy transition is blurring the grid edge, hence our Everything as a Grid approach. Energy generation and management will happen on both sides of the meter, the interplay orchestrated digitally. This is what we mean by decentralisation.

Synchronising the energy transition

Electrification of the economy and the replacement of fossil-fuelled power stations with energy from variable renewable sources is happening at the same time. This makes it difficult to achieve a smooth transition. Selling storage capacity to the grid is amongst the ancillary services prosumers can provide to help the transmission and distribution system manage increasing volumes of intermittent and variable power from new wind and solar farms.

Read our article in Energy Monitor

Policy for unprecedented times

Policymakers, generators, and the energy industry are working together to address unprecedented turbulence in energy markets, as well as the need for urgent action to mitigate climate change. We are glad to be part of that conversation. Regulatory pressure to boost decentralised renewable generation will undoubtedly impact transmission and distribution. We are keen to see policy initiatives that ease the energy transition, both in front of the meter and behind it, as well as engage in relevant research.

SF6-free switchgear for renewables

The EU, and other European countries including the UK, are set to ban the use of global warming SF6 gas in medium voltage switchgear from the late 2020s. Utilities, together with many other sectors that use this type of switchgear, will need to select alternatives for future projects.

A decentralised high renewable grid will require more frequent switching, so the European switchgear market is growing.

As SF6-free medium voltage switchgear technology is mature, and widely available in the range up to and including 24kV, we believe a ban on using SF6 in new medium voltage switchgear should begin as soon as possible. We are ready to assist our utility industry customers to go SF6-free.

White Paper Opportunities and challenges of sector coupling in a high-renewable energy system. }

White Paper

Opportunities and challenges of sector coupling in a high-renewable energy system.
Article Louis Schaffer explains why utility grids will be critical in the new world of energy. }

Article

Louis Schaffer explains why utility grids will be critical in the new world of energy.
Article We spoke to the BBC about the benefits of switching to SF6-free switchgear. }

Article

We spoke to the BBC about the benefits of switching to SF6-free switchgear.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment for people everywhere. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re accelerating the planet’s transition to renewable energy and helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges.

Utilities

Everything as a Grid

Synchronising the energy transition

Policy for unprecedented times

SF6-free switchgear for renewables

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