A municipality (gmina) as part of the support system for generation of electricity from renewable energy sources

Niniejszy artykuł wskazuje na prawne aspekty funkcjonowania systemu wsparcia wytwarzania energii elektrycznej z instalacji OZE, jako dozwolonej formy pomocy publicznej udzielanej poszczególnym przedsiębiorcom. Prawo europejskie wskazuje, że owa pomoc publiczna może być udzielona każdemu podmiotowi prowadzącemu taką działalność gospodarczą, a szczegółowe zasady i tryb jej udzielania pozostawia do uregulowania poszczególnym państwom członkowskim. W polskim systemie prawnym prowadzenie działalności gospodarczej przez gminy jako jednostki samorządu terytorialnego podlega specjalnym uregulowaniom prawnym. Niemniej dostarczanie, a w związku z tym również wytwarzanie energii elektrycznej z instalacji OZE jest działalnością, którą w określonych okolicznościach mogą podejmować także gminy. Jednakże gminy mogą bezpośrednio wykonywać gospodarkę komunalną jedynie w sferze użyteczności publicznej, organizując bądź zaspokajając zbiorowe potrzeby wspólnoty. Poza sferą użyteczności publicznej gminy mogą powoływać spółki komunalne prowadzące działalność gospodarczą, jeżeli spełnione są przesłanki z ustawy o gospodarce komunalnej z 1996 r. Jedną z istotnych przesłanek wykroczenia przez gminę poza ramy użyteczności publicznej jest podjęcie działalności ważnej dla rozwoju gminy (art. 10 ust. 3 ustawy). Wytwarzanie energii elektrycznej z OZE może być traktowane jako działalność ważna dla rozwoju gminy. W konsekwencji gmina może pośrednio uczestniczyć w systemie wsparcia OZE, tworząc odrębną prawnie spółkę komunalną, która po spełnieniu określonych warunków będzie wytwórcą OZE w rozumieniu przepisów ustawy o odnawialnych źródłach energii.The article describes certain aspects of the system of state support for renewable energy sources as a permissible state aid provided to undertakings. Under EU legal regulations such financial support may be furnished to an entity which conducts an economic activity. Setting preciserules is left to the Member States. Under Polish law the economic activity of a municipality is regulated by special legislation, while provision and generation of electricity from renewable energy sources remains within the scope of the allowable activity of municipalities. However, municipalities may only engage directly in the public utility sector, which means the organisation and satisfaction of the collective needs of a community. It is worth noting that outside the public utility sector they are free to create municipal companies to conduct economic activity, but only if certain legal conditions are met (see the Act on Municipal Economy of 1996). One of those conditions is taking up an activity which is crucial for the development of the municipality (Article 10 section 3 of the Act). It seems that generation of energy from renewable energy sources can easily be regarded as crucial for the development of a municipality. Consequently, a municipality may participate in the renewable energy sources support system by setting up a company which will be a producer of energy from renewable energy sources as referred to in the provisions of the Act on Renewable Energy Sources of 2015

Determinants of the horizontal and vertical intra-industry trade between Norway and the European Union

JEL Classificação: F12, F14This study investigates determinants of the bilateral intra-industry trade (IIT) types between Norway and the European Union trading partners over the period 2000-2013. In the study there is applied comprehensive approach by analysing determinants of the IIT types in terms of country- and industry-characteristics. Intra-industry trade is decomposed into horizontal (HIIT) and vertical (VIIT) parts based on products’ unit values per kilogram for two different values of dispersion factors. Trade pattern between Norway and the EU in analysed period suggests that only around 16% of trade occurs under IIT with greater domination of VIIT. In our empirical research we use fit panel-data models by employing feasible generalized least square method. Apart from traditional country-characteristics like difference in relative factor endowments, economic size and geographical proximity, there is also examined the impact of integration schemes, FDI inflows and endowments in specific natural resources. Furthermore, the study analyses the effect of increase in net migration flows on IIT and shows that it significantly promotes all types of IIT. In cross-industry analysis, the study argues that horizontal and vertical product differentiation are needed in considering determinants of IIT and confirms that intensification of the scale economies, market structure, market concentration and multinational character of the market have significant and positive impact on both HIIT and VIIT.O presente estudo analisa os determinantes do comércio intra-ramo (CIR) bilateral entre a Noruega e os países membros da União Europeia no período 2000-2013. O estudo desenvolve uma análise abrangente focando os determinantes dos vários tipos de CIR tanto em termos de características dos países como dos setores. O comércio intra-ramo é decomposto em comércio intra-ramo horizontal e vertical com base na utilização de fatores de dispersão para os valores unitários. O padrão de comércio entre a Noruega e a UE no período analisado sugere que apenas 16% corresponde a CIR e que este respeita fundamentalmente a CIR vertical. No estudo empírico, usamos modelos com dados de painel, nomeadamente o FGLS. No que concerne às características dos países, consideramos aspetos tradicionalmente incluídos como a diferença nas dotações fatoriais, dimensão económica ou proximidade geográfica mas também o impacto da integração económica, fluxos de IDE e dotações em recursos naturais específicos. Adicionalmente, o estudo coloca grande ênfase na análise do impacto dos fluxos migratórios, fator que se revela potenciador de todos os tipos de CIR. No quadro da análise cross-industry, o estudo confirma a relevância da diferenciação horizontal e vertical e confirma que fatores como economias de escala, estrutura de mercado, concentração e natureza multinacional do mercado têm um impacto positivo e significativo tanto no comércio intra-ramo horizontal como vertical

Determinants of the horizontal and vertical intra-industry trade between Norway and the European Union

JEL Classificação: F12, F14This study investigates determinants of the bilateral intra-industry trade (IIT) types between Norway and the European Union trading partners over the period 2000-2013. In the study there is applied comprehensive approach by analysing determinants of the IIT types in terms of country- and industry-characteristics. Intra-industry trade is decomposed into horizontal (HIIT) and vertical (VIIT) parts based on products’ unit values per kilogram for two different values of dispersion factors. Trade pattern between Norway and the EU in analysed period suggests that only around 16% of trade occurs under IIT with greater domination of VIIT. In our empirical research we use fit panel-data models by employing feasible generalized least square method. Apart from traditional country-characteristics like difference in relative factor endowments, economic size and geographical proximity, there is also examined the impact of integration schemes, FDI inflows and endowments in specific natural resources. Furthermore, the study analyses the effect of increase in net migration flows on IIT and shows that it significantly promotes all types of IIT. In cross-industry analysis, the study argues that horizontal and vertical product differentiation are needed in considering determinants of IIT and confirms that intensification of the scale economies, market structure, market concentration and multinational character of the market have significant and positive impact on both HIIT and VIIT.O presente estudo analisa os determinantes do comércio intra-ramo (CIR) bilateral entre a Noruega e os países membros da União Europeia no período 2000-2013. O estudo desenvolve uma análise abrangente focando os determinantes dos vários tipos de CIR tanto em termos de características dos países como dos setores. O comércio intra-ramo é decomposto em comércio intra-ramo horizontal e vertical com base na utilização de fatores de dispersão para os valores unitários. O padrão de comércio entre a Noruega e a UE no período analisado sugere que apenas 16% corresponde a CIR e que este respeita fundamentalmente a CIR vertical. No estudo empírico, usamos modelos com dados de painel, nomeadamente o FGLS. No que concerne às características dos países, consideramos aspetos tradicionalmente incluídos como a diferença nas dotações fatoriais, dimensão económica ou proximidade geográfica mas também o impacto da integração económica, fluxos de IDE e dotações em recursos naturais específicos. Adicionalmente, o estudo coloca grande ênfase na análise do impacto dos fluxos migratórios, fator que se revela potenciador de todos os tipos de CIR. No quadro da análise cross-industry, o estudo confirma a relevância da diferenciação horizontal e vertical e confirma que fatores como economias de escala, estrutura de mercado, concentração e natureza multinacional do mercado têm um impacto positivo e significativo tanto no comércio intra-ramo horizontal como vertical

Nowe instrumenty wsparcia wytwarzania energii elektrycznej oparte na stałej cenie zakupu – zagadnienia wybrane

Przeprowadzona w niniejszej pracy analiza tekstu prawnego pozwala stwierdzić, że ustawodawca wprowadza do systemu prawnego nowe instrumenty wspierające rozwój odnawialnych źródeł energii. Instrumenty te kierowane są wyłącznie do podmiotów prowadzących działalność gospodarczą w zakresie wytwarzania energii elektrycznej z określonych technologii OZE (biogaz rolniczy, biogaz składowiskowy, biogaz z oczyszczalni ścieków, biogaz inny oraz hydroenergia). Istotą tych instrumentów jest oparcie ich na wykorzystaniu stałej ceny zakupu, która tworzy dwa niezależne oraz rozłączne mechanizmy umożliwiające przekazywanie pomocy publicznej na wytwarzanie energii elektrycznej z OZE. Pierwszy z nich polega na wykorzystaniu stałej ceny zakupu jako ceny gwarantowanej (feed-in tariff), która wypłacana jest bezpośrednio przez sprzedawcę zobowiązanego na podstawie odpowiedniej umowy sprzedaży energii elektrycznej wytwarzanej z instalacji OZE. Umowa ta w pakiecie uwzględnia również bilansowanie handlowe oraz związane z tym koszty. Drugi instrument zakłada sprzedaż energii na rynku oraz dodatkowe wyrównanie wytwórcy różnicy między średnimi cenami energii elektrycznej a poziomem stałej ceny zakupu w postaci prawa do pokrycia ujemnego salda. W tym kontekście poziom stałej ceny zakupu stanowi podstawę obliczenia gwarantowanej premii do ceny rynkowej (feed-in premium) energii elektrycznej przekazywanej wytwórcy jako wsparcie dla wytwarzania energii elektrycznej z OZE. Możliwość stosowania tych instrumentów poprzedzona jest odpowiednim postępowaniem toczącym się przed Prezesem Urzędu Regulacji Energetyki, a także może być ograniczona przez odpowiednie przepisy wykonawcze wydane przez Radę Ministrów, która prowadzi politykę państwa w zakresie OZE oraz realizacje wiążące Polskę cele polityki klimatyczno-energetycznej UE w zakresie wykorzystania OZE w sektorze elektroenergetycznym

Smart grids as a platform for entrepreneurs’ innovative activity in the energy sector – legal issues

Artykuł zawiera analizę przepisów prawnych wskazujących na konieczność wdrożenia do polskiego prawa energetycznego koncepcji inteligentnych sieci oraz inteligentnych liczników elektroenergetycznych. Podstawowym przedmiotem zainteresowania autora jest wskazanie innowacyjnej przestrzeni, która może być zrealizowana na rynku energii elektrycznej, jeżeli polski system elektroenergetyczny będzie oparty na inteligentnych sieciach, a odbiorcy tejże energii będą rozliczani przy wykorzystaniu inteligentnego opomiarowania. W pierwszej części opracowania wskazano, jakiego rodzaju innowacją jest koncepcja inteligentnych sieci. Największy nacisk położony jest w niej na kwestię współpracy pomiędzy przedsiębiorstwami energetycznymi oraz przedstawicielami sektora telekomunikacyjnego. Omawiane w niniejszym opracowaniu innowacyjne podejście pośrednio zdeterminowane jest przez liczne akty europejskie, wskazujące na wytyczne oraz kierunki rozwoju systemu dostarczania energii elektrycznej. Kolejna część tekstu poświęcona jest w związku z tym omówieniu wymogów prawnych wdrożenia do polskiego systemu prawnego koncepcji inteligentnych sieci i sposobom rozumienia tego zagadnienia przez polski organ regulacyjny oraz inne organy administracji rządowej odpowiedzialne za sektor energetyczny. W zakończeniu wskazano także na potencjalne sposoby komercyjnego wykorzystania potencjału inteligentnych sieci oraz inteligentnego opomiarowania, które mogą przynieść dużo korzyści m.in. w zakresie odnawialnych źródeł energii, efektywności energetycznej, bezpieczeństwa energetycznego oraz mechanizmów zarządzania stroną popytową. Ponadto innowacje we wszystkich tych dziedzinach niewątpliwie mogą się przyczynić do rozwoju konkurencyjnego rynku energii elektrycznej w Polsce.This paper is an analysis of smart grids and smart metering concept under Polish energy law. The main focus is put on the innovative potential which will become available in the electricity market once the energy system in Poland is based on smart grids and when energy consumers are billed with the use of smart metering. In the first part of the paper, the concept of a smart grid and its innovative characteristics is presented. The main emphasis is put on cooperation between businesses operating in the energy sector and those in the IT sector. This innovative approach is indirectly determined by numerous EU legislative acts which set out trends and directions of development of the energy transmission system. The second part addresses the legal requirements of implementing a smart grid concept and looks at how this issue is understood the Polish regulatory authority and others bodies of central administration responsible for the energy sector. The paper ends with an identification of potential benefits arising from the implementation of smart grids and smart metering, which include: renewable energy resources, energy efficiency, energy security and the mechanism of demand side management. All these can contribute to the development of businesses involved in the energy sector and the development of a competitive electricity market in Poland

Inteligentne sieci jako platforma umożliwiająca innowacyjną działalność przedsiębiorców w sektorze elektroenergetycznym - problematyka prawna

This paper is an analysis of smart grids and smart metering concept under Polish energy law. The main focus is put on the innovative potential which will become available in the electricity market once the energy system in Poland is based on smart grids and when energy consumers are billed with the use of smart metering. In the first part of the paper, the concept of a smart grid and its innovative characteristics is presented. The main emphasis is put on cooperation between businesses operating in the energy sector and those in the IT sector. This innovative approach is indirectly determined by numerous EU legislative acts which set out trends and directions of development of the energy transmission system. The second part addresses the legal requirements of implementing a smart grid concept and looks at how this issue is understood the Polish regulatory authority and others bodies of central administration responsible for the energy sector. The paper ends with an identification of potential benefits arising from the implementation of smart grids and smart metering, which include: renewable energy resources, energy efficiency, energy security and the mechanism of demand side management. All these can contribute to the development of businesses involved in the energy sector and the development of a competitive electricity market in Poland.</jats:p

Some remarks on the Internet Auction Platform which is a new system of supporting renewable energy resources in Poland in the context of electronic signatures

The paper describes certain basic principles of the new system of supporting renewable energy sources (RES) introduced in Poland. The amended Polish Act on Renewable Energy Sources (Polish RES Act) has introduced an auction system which is a new legal instrument enabling the selection of RES generators with adequate fi nancial support. Each Renewable Energy Sources project (RES plant project) to generate and sell electricity must go offi cially through an auction. The Internet Auction Platform is an IT tool used in the process. It en ables to conduct the pre-qualifi cation procedure as well as to prepare the auction off er. This new solution has entailed certain legal issues that must be addressed such as the access to the IT system, electronic submission of tenders or the use of an electronic signature to confi rm the statements made in the electronic procedure. All these issues have been discussed in this paper. The paper also contains an analysis of the diff erences between two possible forms of electronic signature that may be used in the process, and identifi es the main advantages and disadvantages of either. It is then concluded that although the online RES auction could be more competitive, in the version as it is it allows to carry out an eff ective auction

The pre-qualifi cation proceeding as the fi rst stage of the renewable energy sources auction

The paper describes the legal grounds of prequalifi cation proceedings allowing certain categories of energy producers to participate in the Polish auction system, and thus to create a new system responsible for supporting the development of renewable energy sources (RES). These procedures are of administrative proceedings character but are modifi ed by specifi c legal provisions under the RES regulations. The legislator diff erentiated between two types of these procedures. Although they diff er in specifi c legal provisions, they both pursue to achieve common targets that will subsequently contribute to a speedy development of the RES plants in Poland. Among the main objectives of the prequalifi cation proceeding, the necessity of the regulatory authority to obtain the basic information about the RES installation project must be mentioned. This information not only allows to check the legitimacy of the accession to the RES auctions system but also allows to check the investment documentation of the project, and consequently implement and start the RES installation on time as prescribed by the law. In the initial period, the measures taken by the RES are to be aimed at eliminating form the auction these energy producers who could theoretically win the RES auction but would not, due to legal, technical or fi nancial reasons manage to complete the investment (build and start up the RES installation) within the time prescribed. This would not only impede a competitive conduct of the RES auction but would also prevent realisation of the EU climate and energy policy due to the failure to produce enough electricity to meet the required volume contracted for each new RES installations according the RES auctions

Legal issues of investment conditions in cross-border electricity supply

The article constitutes an analysis of the legal aspects of certain investments in the electricity infrastructure of Poland and the European Union. It identifi es the need for investments in a particular type of cross-border infrastructure that connects individual EU Member States. These interconnectors enable the exchange of energy between connected countries and allow the creation of a common energy market in the European Union. From the legal point of view there are two types of interconnectors – regulated interconnectors, which are built by energy companies that are obliged to build them, like for example transmission system operators, and commercial interconnectors that are built by private entrepreneurs. Both types of interconnectors are characterized by specifi c legal regulations arising from European Union as well as Polish energy law. In addition, cross-border infrastructure investments are associated with particular types of investment conditions and risk. The specifi c conditions and the risk and also the investment motivation are associated with a particular type of interconnector, even though the stages of the decision-making process are similar in both types of interconnectors. The papers ends with a European model for creating a common energy market which assumes the sustainable development of the regulated interconnectors together with the incentives encouraging investment in commercial interconnectors. In this regard the article sets out the legal and practical solutions adopted in Poland which contribute to the unsatisfactory development of interconnectors in the Polish energy sector

Smart grids as a platform for entrepreneurs’ innovative activity in the energy sector – legal issues

This paper is an analysis of smart grids and smart metering concept under Polish energy law. The main focus is put on the innovative potential which will become available in the electricity market once the energy system in Poland is based on smart grids and when energy consumers are billed with the use of smart metering. In the first part of the paper, the concept of a smart grid and its innovative characteristics is presented. The main emphasis is put on cooperation between businesses operating in the energy sector and those in the IT sector. This innovative approach is indirectly determined by numerous EU legislative acts which set out trends and directions of development of the energy transmission system. The second part addresses the legal requirements of implementing a smart grid concept and looks at how this issue is understood the Polish regulatory authority and others bodies of central administration responsible for the energy sector. The paper ends with an identification of potential benefits arising from the implementation of smart grids and smart metering, which include: renewable energy resources, energy efficiency, energy security and the mechanism of demand side management. All these can contribute to the development of businesses involved in the energy sector and the development of a competitive electricity market in Poland.1131091275Studia Prawa Publiczneg