This paper includes analyses on the current status of public participation activities in the selected European countries. The analysis provides information about the existing legal requirements, actual activities and used forms of public involvement during the need determination phase of the high voltage power grid. The paper provides answers to the following questions: Is public participation in the need determination required by the national law of the respective countries? What forms of participation do actually take place in the different phases of the need determination? Which actors can get involved? Is there a transparent documentation of the received input and its reaction in the decisions?
Need determination is the very first step of the grid extension and modification process, followed by the spatial planning and permitting. Need determination requires comprehensive analyses of the existing power grid data and possible future developments of all factors affecting the need for electricity transmission. Extensive grid and market simulations incorporating expected future developments have to be carried out in order to identify potential capacity problems and, finally identify possible transmission solutions. Since future long and medium term projections may significantly change, depending on the current developments, the assumptions and modelling has to be repeated at reasonable intervals. Need determination thus represents an iterative planning process. It is in the responsibility of Transmission System Operators and is often reviewed by National Regulators, who monitor the work of TSOs on an ongoing basis. This is due to the fact that TSOs usually represent natural monopolies and thus require controls to ensure cost efficiency and non-discriminant access to the network to all actors. The identified need for changes or extensions is usually summarized in official planning documents, which often have to be approved by the respective national authorities or governments.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Scope and limitations
- Methodology
- Need determination process
- Phase 1 "Assumption/Scenario definition"
- Phase 2 "Grid Modeling and Planing"
- Phase 3 "Plan evaluation, adjustment and approval"
- Public participation
- Country overview
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- United Kingdom
- Summary and conclusions
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This homework aims to investigate if and to what extent an early public engagement takes place in the following nine selected European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
- Public participation in grid extension planning
- Early public involvement in need determination
- Legal requirements for public participation in different countries
- Forms and practices of stakeholder involvement
- Transparency and documentation of public input
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The text begins by highlighting the importance of public acceptance in the development of the electricity grid, especially with the increasing share of renewable resources. It emphasizes the need for effective public participation to prevent potential conflicts and delays in grid extension projects.
- Scope and limitations: This chapter outlines the scope of the study, focusing on the current status of public participation activities in the selected countries during the need determination phase of high voltage power grid development. It also clarifies the study's limitations, including the exclusion of an assessment of the effectiveness of public participation approaches.
- Methodology: The chapter details the methodology used in the study, involving a literature review on high voltage grid need determination processes and a comparison of public participation approaches across different countries.
- Need determination process: This chapter discusses the three main phases of the need determination process: "Assumption/Scenario definition," "Grid Modeling and Planning," and "Plan evaluation, adjustment and approval." It highlights the importance of public participation in each phase.
- Public participation: This chapter examines the role of public participation in grid extension projects and emphasizes its importance in achieving successful outcomes.
- Country overview: This section provides a detailed overview of the current status of public participation in the selected countries, analyzing legal requirements, actual activities, and forms of public involvement during the need determination phase.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This work focuses on public participation, grid extension, renewable resources, need determination, stakeholder involvement, legal frameworks, and comparative analysis of different countries. It explores the importance of early and effective public engagement in the development of a sustainable and socially accepted power grid.
- Quote paper
- Natalia Geng (Author), 2014, Early Public Involvement in the European Grid Extension, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/368577
