Closing Events “Market Conditions and Regulation” closing event “Market Conditions and Regulation” closing event

Switzerland is on the way to a challenging energy future. Against this background, the Swiss National Science Foundation launched the two National Research Programmes “Energy Turnaround” and “Managing Energy Consumption” in 2014 on behalf of the Federal Council. The NRPs address various aspects of the transformation of the Swiss energy system. Special importance is attached to the subject of “Market Conditions and Regulation” here, as the shaping of the energy system of the future will be greatly dependent on market conditions and decisions taken by politicians with respect to regulatory thrusts.

Many of the more than 100 individual and joint projects of the NRP 70 and NRP 71 have addressed market aspects and regulatory mechanisms. These projects focus on the following core questions:

• Economic efficiency: What economic impact does steering (taxes) have relative to promotion (subsidies)? What is the effect of alternative electricity tariffs? What about the contradiction between macroeconomic and individual rationality?
• Environmental compatibility: How are renewable energies being integrated in the market? What options are there for future market design? What is the situation with respect to the governance of companies?
• Supply security: What scenarios do simulations of various market components and effects lead to? What does integration/non-integration in the European electricity market mean?
• Electricity grid strategy: What impact do new renewable energy sources have on the process of decentralisation? How can regional electricity markets be strengthened? What requirements and regulations are necessary?

These and other interesting topics as well as specific recommendations for action will be presented and discussed at the NRP 70 and NRP 71 closing event on the topic of “Market Conditions and Regulation”.