Energy Autonomy

Energy autonomy is an emerging concept that is, as yet, poorly identified in France. It can mean taking ownership of certain issues related to energy, its production, or, indeed, becoming self-sufficient, and it can apply equally to individuals, communities and buildings. While there are numerous new developments – renewable energies, smart grids and self-consumption – it is becoming difficult to know what this idea of “autonomy” covers, just as it is difficult to define "independence" and "self-sufficiency:, which are often associated with it. However, these three concepts are key to thinking about the energy system and deciding its future. Covering distinct ideas, they are often reduced to economic and productive factors. This ambiguity in their meanings is responsible for the misunderstandings, delusions and obstacles that hamper the implementation of the energy transition. This book deconstructs the common idea of autonomy in favor of a set of more operational concepts. It demonstrates that these ideas are not interchangeable but rather represent practical and constructive tools for action. The world of energy is changing, and therefore we must rethink energy autonomy.

Introduction ix Part 1. Self-Sufficiency, an Operational Concept 1 Chapter 1. The Two Autonomies 3 1.1. An old political and technical project 3 1.2. Autonomy of individuals 10 Chapter 2. New Perspectives on Production and Consumption 15 2.1. More numerous and "local" means of production 16 2.2. Improved energy efficiency and new levers to control demand 21 Chapter 3. Distinguish Between Self-Sufficiency and Self-Consumption 27 3.1. Self-sufficiency: a layered concept 27 3.1.1. Spontaneous self-sufficiency 27 3.1.2. Partial self-sufficiency 30 3.1.3. Extended self-sufficiency 30 3.2. Self-consumption, a convergence of technology and economics 34 3.2.1. Principle 34 3.2.2. Self-consumption and grid connection 38 3.3. Vehicle autonomy and self-sufficiency 44 Chapter 4. Measuring Self-Sufficiency and Self-Consumption 49 4.1. Satisfying one’s needs 49 4.2. Measuring, easy to say… 53 Chapter 5. Self-Sufficiency on a Territorial Scale 61 5.1. A network organization 61 5.2. An interconnected set 65 Chapter 6. Self-Sufficiency as an Analytical Tool 81 6.1. Knowing the level of self-sufficiency, a prerequisite 81 6.2. Calculation of self-sufficiency 87 Part 2. The Energy Autonomy of Territories, a Legal Issue 97 Chapter 7. Local Authorities Territories, Framework of the New Energy System 99 7.1. From territory to territories: the perimeter transition 101 7.2. The territory of local authorities, a consistent perimeter 106 Chapter 8. Energy, a "New" Competence 111 8.1. Competences for omnipresent local authorities 111 8.2. A broad spectrum of intervention 117 Chapter 9. Autonomy Seen Through Positive Energy Territories 123 9.1. TEPOS: deciding and doing things "locally" 123 9.2. Regionalization and "nationalization" of positive energy territories 137 Chapter 10. "Autonomy", from Slogan to Instrument 143 10.1. The local authority as a coordinator and catalyst 143 10.2. Autonomy as a means of communication and development 147 Chapter 11. Energy Autonomy: Local Authorities Within a Sovereign State 159 11.1. Autonomy and free administration 159 11.2. The issue of financing 167 Chapter 12. The Value of a Legal Perspective 171 12.1. Coexistence of autonomous territories 171 12.2. A pragmatic approach 175 Chapter 13. Territorial Energy Independence: A State Issue and a Nonsense for a Community 185 13.1. Autonomy and independence 185 13.2. Specific issues of independence 188 Conclusion 195 References 203 Index 223