Consumers are emerging as a crucial energy market component with an active role in the pursuit of fundamental energy policy targets, third energy package revisions being planned by the European Commission indicate.

Brussels has proposed the introduction of new articles concerning the consumer’s market participation through Demand  Response mechanisms. In essence, consumers are developing into the energy market’s fourth pillar, as an adition to conventional electricity production, renewable energy sources and the energy savings sector.

Market conditions are being developed that promise to offer consumers incentives for full participation through the availability of flexible demand systems that will promise multiple rewards in a fluid market featuring more RES players, increased interconnectivity and prices that reflect supply and demand.