SERN
The Sustainable Energy Regulation Network (SERN) facilitates exchange of experience and knowledge between regulators and government officials on policy and regulatory mechanisms that promote and accelerate the development of sustainable energy. SERN is co-ordinated by the Centre for Management under Regulation at Warwick University in the UK.
The SERN aims to:
- secure greater understanding of the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy amongst energy regulators and government departments;
- secure regulatory mechanisms (e.g. price controls, network development incentives etc) that incentivise energy efficiency, renewable energy and distributed generation.
SERN activities include:
- This communication facility which acts as a focal and link point for information on renewable energy, energy efficiency and distributed generation geared to the needs of energy regulators and others with an interest in energy regulation.
- A course on sustainable energy and regulation and case studies of regulation as it affects sustainable energy now developed as a training package (see http://africa-toolkit.reeep.org/)
- A literature review and a glossary of key terms in sustainable energy regulation (see “publications”).
- The coordination of a policy and regulatory review (the 2009 edition covers 100 countries, see “publications” or the Policy Database ONLINE)
- Facilitating contacts between regulators and policy makers.
- Running training courses, seminars and other events in collaboration with REEEP regional secretariats, REEEP partners and others.
SERN newsletter is disseminated to more than 750 individual members from energy regulatory agencies, government departments, consultants, academics and other stakeholders with an interest in regulation. Members are drawn from all continents.
SERN works with the main associations of regulators of the energy sector in African countries, Caribbean countries and Eastern European countries. SERN also organizes workshops for regulators in India with its partner TERI.
Key SERN activities in 2007-09 included:
Publications
- Policy and regulation review, third edition published – this document outlines policy frameworks, regulatory institutions and mechanisms relevant to renewable energy and energy efficiency, country by country in six regions – Latin America and the Caribbean; Southern Africa; South Asia; Russia and the former Soviet Union; Central and Eastern Europe; Asia Pacific and Australasia.
- Fourth edition of the policy and regulation review includes a special report on India and Indian states launched at the World Forum of Energy Regulators in Athens, in October 2009. A special report on China is under preparation. A complete review of all African countries and another one on Middle East countries are also to be released by end 2010.
- SERN newsletters and interviews – with a focus on various regions covered by REEEP
- SERN literature review – this review presents a selection of important documents on regulation and sustainable energy.
Capacity building
- Lecture at the 15th Commission on Sustainable Development – Learning Centre, United Nations, New York, 8 May 2007
- Participation in two IEA Expert meetings on Global Best Practice in Renewable Energy Policy
- SERN and the REEEP regional secretariat collaborated with the Eastern Europe Energy Regulators Regional Association ERRA, on a workshop on regulating for distributed energy
- SERN made a presentation at the OOCUR – Organization of Caribbean Utility Regulators - General Assembly in November 2007 and also at a CARICOM expert meeting on harmonized legislation for the reform of the electricity sector in February 2008.
- Collaboration with World Resources Institute (WRI), Asian Development Bank and others on a workshop on Clean Energy, Good Governance and Regulation for regulators from SE and South Asia, in Singapore in March 2008.
- Leonardo Energy Webinar on "Off-Grid Regulation: how to provide cost-effective and sustainable rural energy services in remote areas of developing countries," given in May 2009
- Workshop on Policy and Regulation for Energy Efficiency in Southern Africa organised by REEEP Southern Africa Regional Secretariat in Johannesburg, in July 2009
Support to specific projects
- Input to a UNIDO-REEEP training course for regulators in Africa on sustainable energy issues. The course is now made available as a CD-ROM training package for African institutions and on-line at http://toolkits.reeep.org/
- Advisor on a REEEP funded project on off-grid regulation and rural electrification with solar photovoltaic ESCOs in Africa.
- Expertise provided for a GOF – TERI Project on a “Framework for Renewable Energy Certificate System in Maharashtra”. This follows a similar REEEP project lead by TERI with SERN in 2006 on “Capacity Building for Regulators and Policy Makers in Andhra Pradesh”
Research/Documentation/Policy advisor
SERN works as a research/resource centre on the implementation of policies and regulatory mechanisms to promote sustainable electricity in the specific context of developing countries. SERN acts as advisor to integrate sustainable energy in energy policies and regulatory frameworks mainly at the request of governments or regulatory bodies in three fields.
- On-grid regulation
Mechanisms and policies to support on-grid connection RET include notably targeted feed-in tariff laws or green certificates markets. The conditions of success of these policies are now well documented.
- Off-grid regulation
SERN has developed a good knowledge on how to implement off-grid regulation and institutions adapted to the diffusion of stand-alone and mini-grid systems with renewable energy technologies.
- Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency measures are considered as the most cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions. Some countries have accumulated a lot of experience in this field and SERN can put interested regulatory bodies in relation with energy efficiency experts or help to organize workshops.
Contact:
Sustainable Energy Regulation Network (SERN)
Dr Xavier Lemaire
Warwick Business School -
Coventry CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44(0)24 7652 3697
Fax: +44(0)24 7652 4628
Email: xavier.lemaire@reeep.org