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Electric Power Distribution in the World: Today and Tomorrow

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Abstract

In light of the increasing importance of distributed energy resources (DERs) in the electricity system, there is an ongoing need to understand the current status of electric power distribution across the world. This review paper compiles key information about the distribution systems in 175 countries worldwide. The findings for each country include the number, legal structure and ownership of distribution system operators, the access to electricity they provide, distribution level voltages, electric power frequency and the significance of renewable electricity generation. This study covers 99.4% of the world’s population. As of June 2018, there are around 7600 distribution system operators in these 175 countries. After reviewing today’s distribution system status, this paper also reviews the various discussions and proposals for tomorrow’s electric power distribution. The discussion covers both system operation and market platform roles as well as data management options for DSOs in the near future.

Suggested Citation

  • Kufeoglu, S. & Pollitt, M. & Anaya, K., 2018. "Electric Power Distribution in the World: Today and Tomorrow," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 1846, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.
    • Handle: RePEc:cam:camdae:1846
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    1. Paul Nillesen & Michael Pollitt, 2011. "Ownership Unbundling in Electricity Distribution: Empirical Evidence from New Zealand," Review of Industrial Organization, Springer;The Industrial Organization Society, vol. 38(1), pages 61-93, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marius Buchmann, 2019. "How decentralization drives a change of the institutional framework on the distribution grid level in the electricity sector – the case of local congestion markets," Bremen Energy Working Papers 0031, Bremen Energy Research.
    2. Michael G. Pollitt & Karim L. Anaya, 2021. "Competition in Markets for Ancillary Services? The Implications of Rising Distributed Generation," The Energy Journal, , vol. 42(1_suppl), pages 1-2, June.
    3. Sajjad Solat & Farrokh Aminifar & Heidarali Shayanfar, 2023. "Changing the regulations for regulating the changes: From distribution system operator (DSO) to electricity distribution stakeholders’ organization (EDSO)," Energy & Environment, , vol. 34(4), pages 830-854, June.
    4. Lisa Bagnoli & Salvador Bertomeu-Sanchez & Antonio Estache & Maria Vagliasindi, 2023. "Does the ownership of utilities matter for social outcomes? A survey of the evidence for developing countries," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(1), pages 24-43, January.
    5. Antonio Estache, 2020. "Infrastructure “Privatization”: When Ideology Meets Evidence," Working Papers ECARES 2020-28, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    6. Vulic, Natasa & Rüdisüli, Martin & Orehounig, Kristina, 2023. "Evaluating energy flexibility requirements for high shares of variable renewable energy: A heuristic approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    7. Lisa Bagnoli & Salvador Bertomeu & Antonio Estache & Maria Vagliasindi, 2020. "Are the Poor Better Off with Public or Private Utilities ?A Survey of the Academic Evidence on Developing Economies," Working Papers ECARES 2020-24, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    8. Theo Dronne & Fabien Roques & Marcelo Saguan, 2021. "Local Flexibility Markets for Distribution Network Congestion-Management in Center-Western Europe: Which Design for Which Needs?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-18, July.
    9. Leandro Lind & Rafael Cossent & José Pablo Chaves‐Ávila & Tomás Gómez San Román, 2019. "Transmission and distribution coordination in power systems with high shares of distributed energy resources providing balancing and congestion management services," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 8(6), November.
    10. Robson Porsch Delavechia & Bibiana P. Ferraz & Raul Scapini Weiand & Leonardo Silveira & Maicon Jaderson Silveira Ramos & Laura Lisiane Callai dos Santos & Daniel Pinheiro Bernardon & Rui Anderson Fer, 2023. "Electricity Supply Regulations in South America: A Review of Regulatory Aspects," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-33, January.
    11. Lonergan, Katherine Emma & Sansavini, Giovanni, 2022. "Business structure of electricity distribution system operator and effect on solar photovoltaic uptake: An empirical case study for Switzerland," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    12. Rahmatallah Poudineh & Donna Peng & Seyed Reza Mirnezami, 2020. "Innovation in regulated electricity networks: Incentivising tasks with highly uncertain outcomes," Competition and Regulation in Network Industries, , vol. 21(2), pages 166-192, June.
    13. Paul Nillesen & Michael G. Pollitt, 2019. "Ownership Unbundling of Electricity Distribution Networks," Working Papers EPRG 1905, Energy Policy Research Group, Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
    14. Pedro H. Perico E Santos & Olivier Massol, 2022. "Electricity Distribution Systems in Europe : An Overview of Contemporary Regulatory Challenges," Working Papers hal-03897936, HAL.

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    JEL classification:

    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities

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