Promotion of PV energy through net metering optimization

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The project addresses the design of energy policies/strategies in the Med for cost-optimized utilization of RES and it involves optimizing smart energy management schemes, in particular net metering, to provide an economically sustainable alternative to government FIT subsidies. With the highest solar resource in Europe, the region is one of the first to see PV electricity reach grid parity. In light of this, more effort towards harmonization/re-evaluation of existing incentives is needed, targeting a faster PV technology uptake. Smart net metering offers this possibility without compromising the interests of utilities and consumers. Despite the benefits, few countries in the area have adopted net metering and national energy policies have been slow to adopt legal frameworks needed. The choice of optimal metering can be impacted by local energy pricing strategies/consumption profiles and for this reason, additional effort is needed to examine metering options in different countries. Also, it is important to demonstrate the viability/economic benefit of adopting the optimized frameworks in order to promote these advantages amongst the public, thereby creating a groundswell of support for these initiatives. PV-NET proposes the implementation of pilot net metering schemes for a cross-section of building types in Med countries. The work is arranged into: - Management and Coordination of the project (WP1) - Information, Communication and capitalisation measures (WP2) - Metering study and policy analyses (WP3) - Net metering and technical pilot implementation (WP4) - Data analysis and validation (WP5). The involvement of electricity utilities, energy regulatory authorities and energy agencies in each country will allow access to consumption/pricing data for the study of economic advantages of different metering strategies and facilitate the network connection of installed PV. Metering schemes will be modelled and optimized using experimental data as feedback.In this way, the pilot installations will enable the demonstration of net metering benefits, validate the different models and help correct previous schemes' shortcomings. The results of the work will be presented as reports to policy makers and energy utilities and will be strongly promoted in partner countries through various media events and publications. Through stimulating PV uptake in the region, the project is expected to result in a reduction of citizens' electricity bills, better energy management and RES deployment, and promotion of sustainable development. Moreover, PV-NET will provide significant feedback / important lessons regarding smart net metering applicability to the whole of Europe given that the scheme can be readily implemented in the Med. PV-NET supports existing initiatives (smart cities, Covenant of Mayors) and EU policy on RES (Directive 2009/28/EC) by promoting increased RES deployment in the most cost-efficient way and a distributed, smart-grid electricity generation environment.

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