This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the technical foundations of power systems, the evolution of the generation mix from thermal to renewable sources, operational challenges, grid stability and frequency management, balancing mechanisms and flexibility requirements. The programme includes two dedicated modules one on power systems (duration: 2 days + site visit) and one on gas systems (duration: 1 day + site visit) – which may be attended together (total: 4 days including site visit) or separately.
ERRA ACADEMY TRACK MODULES
Complementing the foundational Summer School programme, the ERRA Academy portfolio includes two core training tracks: Regulation in Energy Transition (Track A) and Economic Regulation of the Energy Sector (Track B).
Each track comprises four modules that progressively build participants’ knowledge and practical capabilities in the most important aspects of energy regulation. Flexibility is ensured: participants can either enrol in individualcourses, or follow the whole track from begin to end, thereby enabling them to adapt their learning journey to their specific professional needs and career ambitions.
Track A
Regulation in Energy Transition
This four-module training track takes participants from the fundamentals of power and gas systems to the regulatory challenges of renewable integration. It then explores how flexibility, storage and new technologies reshape grids and markets. Finally, it looks ahead to future energy systems and decarbonisation pathways.
Renewable Energy Integration and Support Schemes
This focused course provides an in-depth overview of renewable energy technologies, cost structures, and support mechanisms. It explores feed in tariffs, auctions, and contracts for difference, as well as capacity remuneration mechanisms and grid connection frameworks. Participants also examine regulatory approaches to curtailment, negative pricing, and the structure of renewable PPAs between RES producers and corporate off takers.
Impact on Grids, Markets and Flexibility
In this course participants will be able to learn how regulation can support flexibility in the power system and how the regulatory and legal framework can be setup for this purpose. It covers both transmission and distribution flexibility issues, barriers and solutions, and explains the importance of flexibility in operating the power system.
Future Energy Systems and Decarbonization Pathways
Traditional “vertically-oriented” sectoral regulation risks being inadequate for modern power systems under the challenge of energy transition. This advanced and new course addresses “on-the-edge” issues, such as the role of hydrogen and synthetic fuels, the future of natural gas networks, sector coupling (power-to-heat, power-to-gas), long-term system planning for net-zero, regulatory frameworks that support innovation, and just transition considerations.
Track B
Economic Regulation of the Energy Sector
Across four modules, participants move from the foundational principles of economic regulation to the practical tools regulators use to assess investments and set allowed revenues, determine an efficient cost of capital to finance infrastructure investment and review future-proof tariff structures needed to support rapidly evolving energy systems.
Principles of Economic Regulation
This course serves as the cornerstone of the economic regulation training track. It provides a high level overview of the full programme while focusing on the principles of economic regulation, applied regulatory models, and the building block approach to revenue setting and revenue determinants. It also introduces key concepts of cost allocation, tariff structures, and tariff design.
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Review and Assessment Tools
A focused course on capital expenditure review and assessment tools covering regulatory measures to review and approve the reasonableness of capex plans submitted by licensees. Topics include Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) valuation methods, integration of RAB in the Allowed Revenues of licensees, financial and economic tests applied to capex plans and efficiency analysis used in economic regulation.
Financing Future Grid: Efficient WACC for Energy Transition
This focused course examines regulatory considerations in assessing the weighted average cost of capital for regulated infrastructure. It covers methodologies for assessing the cost of debt, appropriate gearing levels, and regulatory approaches to estimating the cost of equity, with particular emphasis on CAPM.
Future-Proof End-Use Tariff and Retail Supply Regulation
Traditional tariff structures are increasingly unfit for modern power systems integrating high shares of renewables, electrifying end users, and accommodating distributed energy resources. This advanced course guides participants through the principles of modern tariff design – looking beyond cost recovery, cost reflectivity, and economic efficiency to address capacity based tariffs, dynamic tariffs, and alternative structures adequate for the grids of the future.
