The consumer engagement in the energy market in Mediterranean area: review of barriers, challenges and approaches.

The development of renewables together with the digitalisation of the power system have made possible to involve the electricity consumers more than ever. The traditional paradigm of passive distribution and one way communication and flow between suppliers and consumers is being replaced by a new paradigm that put the consumer at the centre of the stage. The consumer is playing a more and more active role in the energy market through smart network, smart home and new services, taking ownership of the way they use and consume their electricity. But there are still many barriers that hamper a broader participation and involvement of the consumer within the energy market. Beyond the technical issues, there are financial, cultural, regulatory, behavioral and social barriers. In this study, we have identified, analyzed and classified the main and most common social and economic barriers, found out in some countries of the two Mediterranean shores, that hamper the consumer engagement. In order to do this, papers, reports and national energy plans published between 2010 and 2017 were reviewed. The analysis also concerns the instruments and policies implemented or those are going to implement to overcome these barriers.