My PhD on electricity markets started in 2002, which was at the very beginning of the liberalization process.  As illustrated in the above picture, this process went in several steps with EU legislation guiding the way. 

National energy markets have been set up in each country of the European Union (and the wider European Energy Community), and they have been harmonized and integrated. 

In parallel with this liberalization process, the transition also introduced policies to make the energy system more sustainable, and to improve its security of supply. 

At the start of this journey, we were often looking elsewhere for inspiration on how to start such a process because Europe has not been the first mover. In more recent years, the rest of the world is increasingly interested in the European experience because what has been achieved in energy markets is unprecedented in scale and ambition. 

The work of our energy research team is fully aligned with this process. We provide ideas to improve policy and regulation by interacting with policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders. You can download most of our research via Google Scholar, or via repositories, such as ResearchGate and EUI cadmus. 

I have bundled my electricity research into two books: one on electricity markets, and one on electricity networks.  I also started working on other energy topics, like hydrogen, renewable gas, and sector integration. 

At the Florence School of Regulation, we offer training for professionals from the public and private sectors on the latest policy and regulatory developments in the energy sector. We also provide tailor-made training upon request.

Most of my energy research is done in collaboration with PhD researchers (and colleagues that help with PhD supervision). We use energy system models to contribute to policy and regulatory debates. 

• We can calculate the order of magnitude of certain effects, like the pros and cons of the alternative policy or regulatory options. 

• We sometimes also discover unexpected interactions that policymakers or regulators are not yet aware of. Energy systems and markets are complex, which makes them interesting, but also difficult to regulate. 

This type of "impact studies" can help policymakers and regulators make better decisions. Most recent PhD research topics:

• The EU Green Deal, and the development of policies for hydrogen and green gasses: the role of power-to-gas in the formation of electricity and gas prices, designing subsidies for renewable gasses, the role of seasonal gas storage and sector integration to deal with extreme prices and shocks.

• The EU Clean Energy Package, and the related regulatory implementation challenges for distribution networks: cost-reflective tariffs, multi-annual investment plans, the trade-off between investments and the use of flexibility, inc-dec games in distribution grids, design of flexibility markets and smart connection agreements.

Selection of recent publications with PhD researchers:

• With Tim (PhD completed in 2019): Schittekatte, T., Meeus, L., 2020. Least-cost Distribution Network Tariff Design in Theory and Practice. The Energy Journal, IAEE 41 (5). 

• With Niels (PhD completed in 2021): Govaerts, N., Bruninx, K., Le Cadre, H., Meeus, L., Delarue, E., 2021. Forward-looking distribution network charges considering lumpy investments. Journal of Regulatory Economics, 1-23.

• With Athir (PhD completed in 2022): Nouicer, A., Meeus, L., Delarue, E., 2023. The economics of demand-side flexibility in distribution grids. The Energy Journal, IAEE 44(1).

• With Martin (PhD finishing in 2023): Roach, M., Meeus, L., 2020. The welfare and price effects of sector coupling with power-to-gas. Energy Economics, 86.

More is coming in collaboration with Ellen Beckstedde (started PhD in 2020), Federico De Santi (started PhD in 2022), and the next generation of PhDs.

A good framework captures the main regulatory or policy options, and their pros and cons without getting lost in details. We sometimes manage to reduce a debate to three main options and three main criteria to distinguish these options, but not every debate surrenders itself to such a synthesis. 

• When studying smart cities, we identified three categories of policies, which we referred to as "tambourines, carrots, and sticks".  Azevedo, I., Delarue, E., Meeus, L., 2013. Mobilizing cities towards a low carbon future: tambourines, carrots and sticks. Energy Policy, 61, p894–900.

• When studying transmission grids to bring offshore wind to shore, we found three alternative approaches (Germany, UK and Sweden), and we discussed them following three principles (planning, competition, beneficiaries pay). Meeus, L., 2015. Offshore grids for renewables: do we need a particular regulatory framework. Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, IAEE 4(1).

• When studying flexibility markets, we focused on 4 innovative projects, which we compared in 6 dimensions: Schittekatte, T., Meeus, L., 2020. Flexibility markets: Q&A with project pioneers. Utilities Policy, 63, 101017.

• When studying regulatory sandboxes, we compared three pioneering countries in 6 dimensions: Schittekatte, T., Meeus, L., Jamasb, T., Llorca, M., 2021. Regulatory Experimentation in Energy: Three Pioneer Countries and Lessons for the Green Transition. Energy Policy, 156, 112382.

• When studying interoperability, we found 5 main interoperability solutions, and discussed their implementation in 3 sectors: Reif, V., Meeus, L., 2022. Smart metering interoperability issues and solutions: Taking inspiration from other ecosystems and sectors. Utilities Policy, volume 76, 101360.

You can download most of these publications via Google Scholar, or via repositories, such as ResearchGate and EUI cadmus. If you cannot access the final publication, you can look at the working paper version.

1. Nouicer, A., Meeus, L., Delarue, E., 2023. The economics of demand-side flexibility in distribution grids. The Energy Journal, IAEE 44(1).

2. Govaerts, N., Bruninx, K., Le Cadre, H., Meeus, L., Delarue, E., 2023. Signaling future or historical distribution grid costs via tariffs? A welfare analysis of long-run incremental cost pricing. Utilities Policy, volume 82, 101537.

3. Nouicer, A., Meeus, L., Delarue, E., 2023. Demand-side flexibility in distribution grids: Voluntary versus mandatory contracting. Energy Policy, volume 173, 113342.

4. Reif, V., Meeus, L., 2022. Smart metering interoperability issues and solutions: Taking inspiration from other ecosystems and sectors. Utilities Policy, volume 76, 101360.

5. Govaerts, N., Bruninx, K., Le Cadre, H., Meeus, L., Delarue, E., 2021. Forward-looking distribution network charges considering lumpy investments. Journal of Regulatory Economics, 1-23.

6. Schittekatte, T., Reif, V., Meeus, L., 2021. Welcoming new entrants into European electricity markets. Energies 14 (13), 4051.

7. Schittekatte, T., Deschamps, V., Meeus, L., 2021. The regulatory framework for independent aggregators. Electricity Journal, 34 (6), 106971.

8. Schittekatte, T., Meeus, L., Jamasb, T., Llorca, M., 2021. Regulatory Experimentation in Energy: Three Pioneer Countries and Lessons for the Green Transition. Energy Policy, 156, 112382.

9. Schittekatte, T., Pototschnig, A., Meeus, L., Jamasb, T., Llorca, M., 2021. Making TEN-E Regulation Compatible with the Green Deal: Eligibility, Selection, and Cost Allocation for PCIs. Energy Policy, 156, 112426

10. Schittekatte, T., Meeus, L., 2020. Least-cost Distribution Network Tariff Design in Theory and Practice. IAEE Energy Journal, 41 (5).

11. Schittekatte, T., Meeus, L., 2020. Flexibility markets: Q&A with project pioneers. Utilities Policy, 63, 101017.

12. Roach, M., Meeus, L., 2020. The welfare and price effects of sector coupling with power-to-gas. Energy Economics, 86.

13. Bhagwat, P. C., Meeus, L., 2019. Reliability options: Can they deliver on their promises? Electricity Journal, 32(10).

14. Govaerts, N., Bruninx, K., Le Cadre, H., Meeus, L., Delarue, E., 2019. Spillover effects of distribution grid tariffs in the internal electricity market: An argument for harmonization? Energy Economics, 84.

15. Yemane Hadush, S., Meeus, L., 2018. DSO-TSO cooperation issues and solutions for distribution grid congestion management. Energy Policy, Vol. 120, 610-621.

16. Schittekatte, T., Momber, I., Meeus, L., 2018. Future-proof tariff design: recovering sunk grid costs in a world where consumers are pushing back. Energy Economics, Vol. 70, pp. 484–498.

17. Keyaerts, N., Meeus, L., 2017. The regulatory experience of Italy and the United States with dedicated incentives for strategic electricity transmission investment. Utilities Policy, Vol. 46, pp. 71-80.

18. Meeus, L., 2015. Offshore grids for renewables: do we need a particular regulatory framework. Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, IAEE 4(1).

19. Saguan M., Meeus L., 2014. Impact of the regulatory framework for transmission investments on the cost of renewable energy in the EU. Energy Economics 43, p185–194.

20. He, X., Keyaerts, N., Azevedo, I., Meeus, L., Hancher, L., Glachant, J.M., 2013. How to engage consumers in demand response: A contract perspective. Utilities Policy, 27, pp. 108-122

21. Azevedo, I., Delarue, E., Meeus, L., 2013. Mobilizing cities towards a low carbon future: tambourines, carrots and sticks. Energy Policy, 61, p894–900.

22. Trinh Q. C., Saguan, M., Meeus, L., 2013. Experience with Electricity Market Test Suite: Students versus Computational Agents. IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 28(1), p112-120.

23. Meeus, L., von der Fehr, N.-H. M., Azevedo, I., He, X., Olmos, L., Glachant, J.-M., 2013. Cost Benefit Analysis in the Context of the Energy Infrastructure Package. Network Industries Quarterly, 15(2), pp. 11-14.

24. Meeus, L., Lévêque, F., Azevedo, I., Saguan, M., Glachant, J.-M., 2013. Offshore Grids: Towards a Least Regret EU Policy. Network Industries Quarterly, 15(2), pp. 6-10

25. Meeus, L., Azevedo, I., Marcantonini, C., Glachant, J.-M., Hafner, M., 2012. EU 2050 low-carbon energy future: visions and strategies. Electricity Journal, 25(5), pp. 57–63.

26. Meeus, L., 2012. Appraisal of the European Commission’s Energy Roadmap 2050. European Energy Journal, Issue 3, pp. 48-54.

27. Meeus, L., 2011. Implicit auctioning on the Kontek Cable: third time lucky? Energy Economics, 33(3), pp. 413-418.

28. Meeus, L., 2011. Why (and how) to regulate Power Exchanges in the EU market integration context. Energy Policy, 39(3), pp. 1470-1475.

29. Meeus, L., Saguan, M., 2011. Innovating grid regulation to regulate grid innovation: from Orkney Isles to Kriegers Flak via Italy. Renewable Energy, 36(6), pp. 1761-1765.

30. Kessel, C., Meeus, L., Schwedler, C., 2011. Experience with interconnection merchant projects under Regulation (EC) 1228/2003: Perspectives for Regulation (EC) 714/2009. Utilities Law Review, 18(4), pp. 147-155.

31. Delarue, E., Laga, L., Meeus, L., Belmans, R., D' haeseleer, W., 2011. Achieving learning potentials in an educational simulation game for trading and generating electrical energy. International Journal of Engineering Education, 27(4), pp. 703-712.

32. Ahner, N., Meeus, L., 2010. Global vs. low carbon economy: The case of the revised EU emissions trading scheme. Review of European Community and International Environmental Law, 19 (3), pp. 373 - 382.

33. Vandezande, L., Meeus, L., Belmans, R., Saguan, M., Glachant, J.-M., 2010. Well-functioning balancing markets: a prerequisite for wind power integration. Energy Policy 38(7), pp. 3146-3154.

34. Meeus, L., Verhaegen, K., Belmans, R., 2009. Block order restrictions in combinatorial electric energy auctions. European Journal of Operational Research, 196(3), pp. 1202-1206.

35. Meeus, L., Vandezande, L., Cole, S., Belmans, R., 2009. Market coupling and the importance of price coordination between power exchanges. Energy, 34(3), pp 228-234.

36. Küpper, G., Delarue, E., Delvaux, B., Meeus, L., Bekaert, D., Willems, B., Proost, S., D'haeseleer, W., Deketelaere, K., Belmans, R., 2009. Does more international transmission capacity increase competition in the Belgian electricity market? Electricity Journal, 22(1), pp. 21-36.

37. Verhaegen, K., Meeus, L., Belmans, R., 2009. Towards an international tradable green certificate system - The challenging example of Belgium. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 13(1), pp. 208-215.

38. Meeus, L., Belmans, R., 2008. Electricity market integration in Europe. Revue-E, 124(1).

39. Vandezande, L., Meeus, L., Belmans, R., 2008. The next step in the Central Western European electricity market: cross-border balancing, Revue-E, 124(1), pp. 19-24.

40. Verhaegen, K., Meeus, L., Delvaux, B., Belmans, R., 2007. Electricity produced from renewable energy sources - what target are we aiming for? Energy Policy, 35(11), pp. 5576-5584.

41. Glachant, J.-M., Belmans, R., Meeus, L., 2007. Implementing the European Internal Energy Market in 2005-2009, a proposal from Academia. European Review of Energy Markets, 3, pp.  51-85.

42. Meeus, L., Purchala, K., Van Hertem, D., Belmans, R., 2006. Regulated cross-border transmission investment in Europe. European transactions on electrical power, 16(6), 2006; pp. 591-601.

43. Meeus, L., Glachant, J.-M., Belmans, R., 2006. Regional electricity market integration France - Belgium - Netherlands. Revue-E, 122(3), pp. 17-24.

44. Vandezande, L., Meeus, L., Delvaux, B., Van Calster, G., Belmans, R., 2006. Evaluation of economic merger control techniques applied to the European electricity sector, Electricity Journal, 19(6), pp. 49-56.

45. Meeus, L., Purchala, K., Belmans, R., 2005. Development of the internal electricity market in Europe, Electricity Journal, 18(6), pp. 25-35.