Autonomous Energy Regions as a Proposed Choice of Selecting Selected EU Regions—Aspects of Their Creation and Management

Abstract

There is a high demand for energy production, which is dependent on energy consumption and input. This demand affects socioeconomic development and quality of life. However, the lack of an innovative formal, legal, and organizational structure regarding public space in the European Union (EU) is problematic; one solution could be preparing and implementing grid services as part of distributed energy solutions (based on local and regional renewable resources), and involving local public, private, and profitable entities. Autonomous energy regions (AREs) are a response to this type of problem, as they can contribute to the creation of organizational and legal tools that counteract the marginalization of crisis areas, where undesirable socioeconomic phenomena intensify (and the conditions and management of the natural environments deteriorate). Investments in energy infrastructure based on distributed energy (mainly renewable energy sources) will be a tool for socioeconomic changes in affected areas. In terms of practical considerations in the energy field (i.e., keywords, barriers to energy consumption, and access to it), it is important to formulate recommendations regarding the creation, management, identification, and designation of autonomous energy regions (AREs) in the EU. In this case, postal questionnaires and a taxonomic method (Hellwig’s method) were used. It is worth emphasizing that the creation of AREs is a modern requirement in connection with global CO2 emissions. Sustainable low-emission economies, according to the conducted research, may be introduced to the entire European Union. The lack of proposals for direction of regional development, in terms of autonomous energy regions, was indicated in this paper. There is a need to formulate specific recommendations regarding the possibility of creating and managing autonomous energy regions (AREs) in the European Union. Fortunately, there are natural, organizational, and social opportunities to begin this process. For example, local authorities may become leaders in creating a network of connections in emerging AREs, and communities might willingly make the effort to co-create AREs.

Assessing the Level of Energy and Climate Sustainability in the European Union Countries in the Context of the European Green Deal Strategy and Agenda 2030

“…In addition, the time requirements for achieving certain goals must be adjusted to the economic possibilities of all member states. Researchers working on this topic point out, for example, that in some countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the energy and climate transition will generate enormous and much higher costs than in more developed countries [89][90][91]. This is the result of a different energy structure and outdated energy systems (e.g., in Poland and Bulgaria).…”

Digitalization Business Strategies in Energy Sector: Solving Problems with Uncertainty under Industry 4.0 Conditions

“…The purpose of the reference method [15,17] in this article is to answer two research questions as a result of the comparison of the level of the conditions among EU countries. On this level of comparison, the most often used method is Hellwig's reference method [23,27]. There are similar studies that use the same method to compare phenomena among different countries [27,142].…”

“…On this level of comparison, the most often used method is Hellwig's reference method [23,27]. There are similar studies that use the same method to compare phenomena among different countries [27,142]. The choice of this method was based on its ordering features, statistical similarity among compared objects, multidimensional variables [143], and relevant simplicity of the required calculations [16].…”

“…In Section 5, Hellwig's method [15] is presented and explained. The used variables for the quantitative method [15,23,27] are introduced along with their results to back the previously proposed theoretical model [28]. Detailed calculations results are presented in the Appendix A.…”

Modeling of Interconnected Infrastructures with Unified Interface Design toward Smart Cities

“…The analysis of model parameters of energy hubs could provide a better understanding of possible couplings among design and operation parameters in view of desired constraints, while quantifying the flexibility of energy supply [15]. The implementation of smart energy requires the investigation of investment models to link smart energy services and focus on different regions [16]. The deployment of smart energy requires universal sensors of a ubiquitous nature [17].…”