Energy market
The liberalized energy market, describes the market for grid-bound energy supply by energy utilities with electricity and natural gas, in which as many parts of the supply chain are subject to free competition. Consumers are to be supplied with the market for the best rates on competition. The supply networks required for the supply can not be meaningfully subjected to the competition. Here the respective network operator has a monopoly. Thus, the network operator does not exploit its monopoly position in its favor, the charges for the use of the networks ( network usage charges ) regulated by the state.
- 3.1 Germany
- 3.2 Switzerland
- 3.3 European Union
- 4.1 Theoretical Background
- 4.2 Steps to fully liberalized energy market
- 4.3 History of liberalization of the energy markets
- 5.1 Competition in the electricity market
- 5.2 competition in the gas market
- 6.1 See also
- 6.2 Literature
- 6.3 External links
- 6.4 Notes and references
Electricity trading in Europe
The trading of electricity has a long tradition in Europe; he developed hand in hand with the advancement in the use of electrical energy. When the markets were still monopolistic, the trade served with electricity between approximately 50 to 60 suppliers primarily to secure self-sufficiency in their areas. The predominantly local and national orientation shows today: the European electricity grid acts as a single organism, but in reality consists of eight different regions whose physical bottlenecks at the borders of a unified power grid ( " European copper plate ") and transnational liberalization of the electricity market hinder. In the course of the energy turnaround, the German government took steps to build additional power lines especially for the transport of wind power or enhance existing lines.
Until there is a pan-European electricity network without limits and bottlenecks that could take decades.
Current is either on an exchange, such as the European Energy Exchange ( EEX), as well as traded bilaterally ( OTC trading ). This distinction can be made between short-term trading ( intra-day, day-ahead, after- day) and long-term trading ( futures, forwards ). Short-term trading is mainly influenced by the fact that it is current not a storable "good" is, but must take place production and consumption at the same time.
Situation in Germany
General
The prices for the actual delivery of energy to competition. The prices for the use of networks in Germany are subject to regulation by the competent regulatory authority, the Federal Network Agency. The liberalization of energy markets does not include the supply of district heating. It is operated using only local networks. The heat rates must comply with the requirements of § 24 AVBFernwämeV and take into account the particular conditions on the heating market adequately.
Critics point to insufficiently effective competition on the German energy market. About 80 percent of the electricity supply and a large part of the trade was controlled by four producers ( E.On, RWE, EnBW and Vattenfall ). About three-quarters of the electricity trading was taking place outside the energy exchange and would no supervision. The energy market is counted among the least transparent test markets. Error in the system would jeopardize the security of supply. The chairman of the Monopolies Commission, Justus Haucap also criticized a non-functioning competition in power generation in Germany. The energy giant had more market power than before liberalization. This is mainly due to failure of the policy, which did not adequately catered for competition.
Development of electricity trade balance
While in the nineties, the German current balance of trade was relatively balanced, since 2003, increased the amount of electricity exported from Germany, while the imported electricity remained approximately the same. The German current balance of trade since a considerable export surplus.
In 2012, Germany exported 66.6 TWh, according to destatis electrical energy imported 43.8 TWh, which means an export surplus of 22.8 TWh. The export surplus grew here over the previous year to four times and reached the highest level in the past four years. With the current export 3.7 billion euros were taken, for the importation had 2.3 billion euros to be spent, so that Germany could achieve an export surplus of 1.4 billion euros. Thus, the value of electrical energy exported amounted to 5.56 ct / kWh, while the value of imported electrical energy with 5.25 ct lay / kWh slightly lower. The reason for this is that France during periods of low electricity demand much electrical energy to low prices then exported to its va not to have to cut from existing in the base load nuclear power plants in power stations. Germany exported contrast V.A. at times higher electricity demand, ie during intermediate and peak load when electricity prices are usually higher.
Import and export volumes
Integration of fluctuating power generation
Economic difficulties existing and newly planned conventional power plants in the face of falling prices on the wholesale electricity market have a discussion about the future design of the electricity market triggered because power plants can not be operated constant due to the changing amounts of renewable energy ( solar, wind). This question applies not only conventional, but also systems based on renewable energy such as biogas plants. Variable renewable and conventional power plants, energy storage, the power supply and the demand for electricity must therefore be able to adapt to the fluctuating supply of wind and sun, in order to ensure security of supply.
Overview legislation for the electricity and gas markets
Germany
- Energy Industry Act ( Energy Act )
- Current Network Access Ordinance
- Current network tariff regulation
- Gas Network Access Ordinance
- Gas Network Charges Ordinance
- Concession fee regulation ( KAV)
- Federal Electricity Tariff Regulations
- Electricity Tax Act
- Energy Tax Act, also applies to natural gas
- Renewable Energies Act (EEG )
- Combined Heat and Power Act ( CHP )
- General connection conditions Low Voltage Access Regulation ( NAV)
- Low pressure port Regulation ( NDAV )
- Basic electricity Regulation ( StromGVV )
- Gas supply basic Regulation ( GasGVV )
Switzerland
- Electricity Supply Act ( Switzerland )
European Union
- Regulation on the integrity and transparency of wholesale energy market ( REMIT )
Liberalization of the energy markets
Theoretical background
Originally, the electricity and gas supply were considered natural monopolies, which also apply in a market economy than justified. The basis for the liberalization of energy markets, however, provides the essential facility theory. It says that natural monopolies are limited only to the part of the value chain, for taking into account the economic costs of a competition does not make sense. For these " essential facilities " (English essential facility ) there is a monopoly of the provider. These " essential facilities " are, for example, the local distribution grids and the national transmission networks for electricity and natural gas. In these networks, a parallel construction is generally not economically meaningful.
The power to dispose of the " essential facilities " but should not lead to a dominant position on the upstream and downstream markets. Therefore, the essential facilities are to third parties a reasonable remuneration which is fixed, if necessary by a regulator, left to be shared.
The " essential facility " theory is enshrined both in Article 102 of the TFEU Treaty, as well as in § 19 (4 ) of the German antitrust law.
Steps to a fully liberalized energy market
- Third party access to transmission and distribution networks
- Regulation of network usage charges and grid connection requirements
- Unbundling of network operators (unbundling ) to enable third party non-discriminatory competition ( equality of arms ).
History on the liberalization of the energy markets
Competition
Competition in the electricity market
The competition in the electricity market takes place in the segments of generation, trading and sales, while the value added stages are regulated transmission and distribution as natural monopolies. The state-regulated transmission and distribution charges account for around a quarter of the electricity prices.
In a contract, the supplier undertakes, just feed as much power to the grid, such as the consumer removes. For large consumers, the consumption is determined continuously, small consumers of consumption (amount and time course ) is estimated and then precisely balanced for the next reading. Thus it is ensured that the medium always at least as much energy is fed into the grid as the customer consumes. Since each injected current three-phase alternating current to VDE / UCTE standards, the energy after the feed is indistinguishable to the mains or disconnect. It is therefore not possible to say " what current " arrives at a customer. Who made green power, is at the same current, and often from the same cable supplied as any other electricity customers; nevertheless consumed by him amount of electricity is produced by the agreed ( depending on the provider slightly different ) conditions.
Depending on the size of the customers varies widely competition in the electricity market.
In the area of large customers, industrial customers and communities is intense competition in the electricity market takes place. The decision for an energy supplier is in the public domain rather than in the form of public tenders published in the official gazettes. In the wholesale market, are awarded on the basis of comparisons of bids or public auctions on the internet. ( See also VIK and VEA )
In the area of small consumers, there is limited competition. The current vendors usually offer on the Internet at standardized power purchase agreements. Due to the increasing price differentials to the offers of the associate in the local distribution network operator, the exchange rate rises ( at a low level ). It is, according to the 2009 Monitoring Report of the Federal Network Agency in the field of domestic and small commercial customers at 5.3 % per year, while it is for wholesale from 10.5 to 12.5 %. In order to improve the bargaining position and thus the prices of small business customers, these often to regional energy buying groups close together.
80 percent of German electricity is produced by four companies. Among the competition suffers: While the profits of energy companies have multiplied in recent years, the consumer prices of electricity are increased since 2000 by over 50 percent (as of 2007). It should be noted that since 2000, the current rate of approximately 1 has increased to 2 cents per kWh. Measured by the number of household customers decreases the market share of the four big energy companies. During 2008 or 50.1 % of household customers were served by them with electricity, there were 2010 or 43.8%.
Competition in the gas market
The competition in the gas market is far less developed and focuses on some major consumers. In this area, however, there is a particular competitive with other energy sources such as light fuel oil, as many large consumers can use both gas and heating oil.
On 1 October 2006, the private customers in Germany should first be given the opportunity to choose their gas supplier. Except for minor exceptions, there are only a regionally active alternative gas supplier. It was expected that this situation in the gas year 2006/2007 little changed.
The causes were:
The Federal Network Agency is currently examining the points 1 and 2 on abusive behavior of system operators ( Az: BK7 -06- 074) and has to implement a mass business -grade supplier switch a setting method introduced for changing supplier gas ( Az: BK7 -06- 067).