Florence School of Regulation

How should consumer protection evolve as new energy services emerge?

During a recent FSR online debate experts discussed how consumer protection frameworks can remain effective in the context of innovative energy-related services, building on the findings of the FSR Study published alongside the European Commission's Citizens Energy Package.

The discussion explored issues ranging from supplier switching and billing transparency to data interoperability, consumer trust, digitalisation, and the growing complexity of energy markets.
A common theme emerged:
↪️ empowering consumers and protecting them must go hand in hand as Europe's energy system evolves.

Read the article to discover the key takeaways from the debate 🔗 https://loom.ly/VdkFwNY
Watch the recording of the debate 🔗 https://loom.ly/id53MWM

This September in Florence, participants of the FSR–ESPI 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 will explore the foundations of space policy and regulation, the growing space economy, space security, and the impact of space technologies across sectors.

The programme combines expert-led sessions, panel discussions, group activities, and debates, covering topics such as:
🔹 Space policy and regulation
🔹 The space economy and its societal impact
🔹 Energy and infrastructure
🔹 Digital transformation and governmental services
🔹 Natural resource management
🔹 Space digital sovereignty, security, and national power

Featuring speakers from the European Commission, ESA, ESPI, the European University Institute, the European Environmental Agency, industry, and beyond, the Summer School offers a unique opportunity to explore all the strategic dimensions of space.

📍 Florence, 2 - 4 September 2026
Learn more and apply 🔗 https://loom.ly/7w4JPeQ

🏭 The proposed 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁 reflects a significant shift in the EU’s approach to industrial policy, competitiveness and security of supply.

In the third instalment of our 𝘛𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘤 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘩 on rethinking energy security in Europe, Cristopher Jones examines how the proposal aims to support strategic manufacturing industries in the EU through measures related to:
▪️ low-carbon lead markets for steel, cement and aluminium
▫️ EU origin requirements for key industrial materials and net-zero technologies
▪️ the protection of strategic sectors such as batteries, PV, wind and heat pumps
▫️ new conditions linked to foreign direct investment in strategic industries

The article also reflects on the challenge of balancing industrial competitiveness, decarbonisation, trade rules and security considerations in an increasingly complex geopolitical context.

Read the full article for a complete analysis 🔗 https://loom.ly/1NsOlkE

These questions were also discussed during our recent online debate “Driving Industrial Transformation: Understanding the EU Industrial Accelerator Act”, where experts explored the proposed measures to boost manufacturing, strengthen net-zero industries and reshape investment rules in Europe.
🎥 Watch the debate recording 🔗 https://loom.ly/mbv4nM0

The green transition needs every voice.

On 9 June 2026 in Florence, the LUCE Awards return for their 4th edition ✨ celebrating the women driving innovation and progress in energy, climate, and sustainability.

Two awards. Two women changing the game.

Join us at Teatro in Badia Fiesolana, and be part of the moment.

Register now 🔗 https://loom.ly/YaNyD9I

🌍 What does the war with Iran reveal about Europe’s energy security?

In this analysis, Andris Pielbags examines how the conflict is reshaping Europe’s gas security and exposing new vulnerabilities linked to global LNG markets and geopolitical instability.

More specifically the article explores:
▪️ the impact of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz on global LNG markets
▪️ Europe’s growing exposure to global price and logistical risks
▪️ the role of storage, infrastructure and market integration in maintaining resilience
▪️ why accelerating the energy transition is also becoming a security imperative

Read the full article for more insights🔗 https://loom.ly/2je6Xi0

In an evolving context, the need remains unchanged: women’s leadership in the green transition must be visible.

As we look back at moments from last year’s 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗘 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀, we are preparing to meet again in Florence for the 4th edition of the 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 initiative, celebrating women driving innovation and progress in energy, climate, and sustainability.

This year’s programme includes a keynote by Rosalinde van der Vlies, European Commission and a panel discussion, “𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘐𝘯𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘊𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘎𝘢𝘱,” with Massimiliano Mascherini, Letizia Mencarini, Lucio Pisacane, and Ilaria Conti.

The ceremony will honour two outstanding women professionals through the Emerging Talent and Legacy Women awards. 🙌

The programme will also include the announcement of the two winners of the 10th Ana Aguado Scholarship Award, a joint initiative by E.DSO and the Florence School of Regulation, supported by SolarPower Europe, promoting high-level training opportunities for young professionals in the energy sector. ⚡

📍 9 June 2026 | Florence
Register to attend the LUCE Awards ceremony 🔗 https://loom.ly/YaNyD9I

⚖️ Almost one year after its announcement in the Action Plan for Affordable Energy, the European Commission published the 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲.

In this new FSR Law article, Alessandra Porcari and Lucila de Almeida examine the structure, timeline and key initiatives announced under the Package, which aims to strengthen the social dimension of the Energy Union and increase citizens’ participation in the energy transition.
↪️ They also explore the Package’s announced legal acts, recommendations and guidance measures, including the potential development of a future post-2029 EU consumer energy rights framework.

The topic will also be further discussed during our upcoming online debate on consumer protection frameworks in the context of emerging energy services. 🔗 https://loom.ly/id53MWM

Read the full article 🔗 https://loom.ly/jB6pan4

⚡ What does energy security mean in today’s energy system?

In the first instalment of our Topic of the Month: 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘶𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦, Marzia Sesini explores how Europe’s understanding of security of supply is evolving, from ensuring the physical availability of energy volumes to managing exposure to price volatility and uncertainty.

As Europe becomes more integrated into global energy markets, disruptions do not necessarily need to remove physical supply to generate stress. Instead, geopolitical tensions, logistics disruptions and competition for marginal volumes increasingly affect the conditions under which energy can be accessed and priced.

The article argues that:
▪️ Europe can face a gas crisis without a physical gas shortage
▪️ vulnerability is increasingly linked to price formation mechanisms rather than supply volumes alone
▪️ security of supply should also be understood as a form of system value, reducing exposure to instability and external shocks over time

Read the article for the full analysis 🔗 https://loom.ly/XAcRl-Y

📍 Today we welcomed Prof. Marzena Czarnecka, Head of the Department of Energy Transformation, University of Economics of Katowice and Borys Budka, Chair of the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee, at the European University Institute for a series of discussions on energy transformation and European energy policy.

EUI President Patrizia Nanz, Leonardo Meeus, Andris Piebalgs, Alberto Pototschnig, Ilaria Conti and Sebastian Huber took part in institutional meetings and exchanges on ongoing projects and key developments in the energy sector.

Over the years, the Florence School of Regulation has contributed expert advice to several legislative initiatives discussed within the ITRE Committee, while FSR experts have also participated in committee deliberations as independent specialists. Today's discussions also explored possible avenues for future cooperation on regulatory scenarios related to electricity generation and the energy transition.

The visit highlighted the importance of dialogue between academia, EU institutions and policymakers in addressing the challenges of Europe’s energy transition. ⚡

Join this online debate to discuss the findings and policy recommendations of the FSR Study published alongside the European Commission’s 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲.

During the discussion experts will explore how current consumer protection provisions should evolve to address innovative energy-related services and ensure high standards of protection throughout the “energy consumer journey”.

The debate will feature contributions from:
▪️ Massimo Bengt Serpieri, European Commission
▪️ Lucila de Almeida, FSR
▪️ Alessandra Porcari, FSR
▪️ Frederico Oliveira da Silva, BEUC
▪️ Bram Claeys, CEER
▪️ Rita Alexandra Mota, Eurelectric
▪️ Laurent Schmitt, smartE
▪️ Nicolò Rossetto, FSR

Register to join the discussion 🔗 https://loom.ly/id53MWM
Read more the full technical report '𝘈 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘹𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘺-𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴' 🔗 https://loom.ly/UMaYSOk