This highly unique book focuses on market design issues common to most EU gas markets, particularly in the context of closer integration. It explores in detail the characteristics and requirements of national gas markets in Europe, which are constructed as virtual hubs based on entry/exit schemes as a requirement of European law. The expert contributors analyse gas supply and demand patterns in the EU, showing that both have changed following the introduction of liquefied natural gas on the supply side and the growth of gas-fired power plants on the demand side. The repeated interactions between the transmission operators activity and the gas commodity markets are addressed, as is the design of commercial networks in EU markets. The contributors also question whether the relationship between commercial and physical networks, in terms of the new flexibility requirements of users, actually works. By way of conclusion, two proposals for the EU gas target model are presented, both of which tackle the fundamental issues raised in this book, as well as the organization of short-term transactions and the mechanisms for investment in vital new long-life infrastructure needed to integrate EU markets. This volume will be of great interest to practitioners, as well as academics, researchers and students in the fields of energy economics and industrial economics. Both European and non-European energy companies and regulatory authorities looking for an independent and analytical overview of European gas markets will also find this book to be a highly valuable resource.

This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. This book examines how China can increase the share of natural gas in its energy system. China’s energy strategy has global ramifications and impact, and central to this strategy is the country’s transition from coal to gas. The book presents the culmination of a two-year collaboration between the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC) and Shell. With the Chinese government’s strategic aim to increase the share of gas in the energy mix from 5.8% in 2014 to 10% and 15% in 2020 and 2030 respectively, the book outlines how China can achieve its gas targets. Providing both quantifiable metrics and policy measures for the transition, it is a much needed addition to the literature on Chinese energy policy. The research and the resulting recommendations of this study have fed directly into the Chinese government’s 13th Five-Year Plan, and provide unique insights into the Chinese government and policy-making. Due to its global impact, the book is a valuable resource for policy makers in both China and the rest of the world.

Prosumers, such as energy storage, smart home, and microgrids, are the consumers who also produce and share surplus energy with other users. With capabilities of flexibly managing the generation, storage and consumption of energy in a simultaneous manner, prosumers can help improve the operation efficiency of smart grid. Due to the rapid expansion of prosumer clusters, the planning and operation issues of prosumer energy systems have been increasingly raised. Aspects including energy infrastructure design, energy management, system stability, etc., are urgently required to be addressed while taking full advantage of prosumers' capabilities. However, up to date, the research on prosumers has not drawn sufficient attention. This proposal presents the need to introduce a Research Topic on prosumer energy systems in Frontiers in Energy Research. We believe this Research Topic can promote the research on advanced planning and operation technologies of prosumer energy systems and contribute to the carbon neutrality for a sustainable society.

This book discusses and explains the economics of each stage of the natural gas value chain, including the economic impact of restrictions, rules and decisions that are ostensibly technical in nature, as well as commercially relevant contractual stipulations. Each chapter features several real-world examples illustrating the essential points. Natural gas is broadly considered the (leading) conventional source of primary energy. Complementing renewable energies’ utilization and offering a highly flexible yet relatively clean fuel, the worldwide natural gas markets are expected to grow. Despite the fact that Europe – where a degree of stagnation in natural gas consumption is being observed and is expected to continue – is not following this trend, international natural gas markets are becoming increasingly interdependent. Therefore, any analysis and discussion of natural gas markets at each level has to have an international rather than national focus.

These proceedings gather a selection of refereed papers presented at the 1st Vietnam Symposium on Advances in Offshore Engineering (VSOE 2018), held on 1–3 November 2018 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The contributions from researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and entrepreneurs address technological and policy changes intended to promote renewable energies, and to generate business opportunities in oil and gas and offshore renewable energy. With a special focus on energy and geotechnics, the book brings together the latest lessons learned in offshore engineering, technological innovations, cost-effective and safer foundations and structural solutions, environmental protection, hazards, vulnerability, and risk management. The book offers a valuable resource for all graduate students, researchers and industrial practitioners working in the fields of offshore engineering and renewable energies.