[en] This book presents an introduction to the great world energy challenges. The first part of this book, is devoted to the energy sources history with a special interest for the petroleum. The advantages and disadvantages of the energy sources as the natural gas, the coal, the nuclear power and the renewable energies, are also discussed. Two chapters are devoted to the analysis of the energy sectors deregulation in Europe, in particular the electric power market. The last part proposes to discuss on the twenty century challenge: how to reconcile the energy demand, the environment protection and the developing countries economic development? (A.L.B.)

[en] Using 100 key words, this little book presents the energy resource types and the economical and geopolitical stakes linked with energy. It analyses the energy markets and identifies the institutional and economical actors of the energy sector. It allows to better appreciate how the energy/climate couple is a strategic question for our future. Content: 1 - needs; 2 - resources; 3 - trades; 4 - market and prices; 5 - actors; 6 - stakes; bibliography and glossary. (J.S.)

[en] This issue of 'Economies et Societes' journal comprises 16 articles dealing with the evolution of European energy markets: the security of European petroleum supplies (P.R. Bauquis); the security of European natural gas supplies (J.M. Dauger); an empirical analysis of the power prices convergence in the European union (J.A. Vega-Cervera, A. Jurado-Malaga); the integration of European power markets, from the juxtaposition of national market to the establishment of a regional market (D. Finon); the fusions-acquisitions in the energy sector and the globalization impact (C.A. Michalet); the reorganization of power economics and the share of right (M.A. Frison-Roche); the European industry facing the new economy (J.M. Chevalier); the confidence stake of the traditional power operators (Y. Benamour, A. Bonanni); status and prospects of gas prices in continental Europe (G. Bellec); the gas and power transport challenges and the access charges fixing (L. David, J. Percebois); the strategic challenges of underground storage in the new European gas context (B. Esnault); stranded costs and deregulation of power networks: some questions raised by the US experience (J. Bezzina); natural gas in Europe and the emergence of spot markets and trading hubs (G. Heyvaert); the competitiveness of the power exchange market of the Netherlands (F. Boisseleau); setting up and de-regulated trades in European markets (H. Geman); the Californian power market (P.L. Joskow). (J.S.)

[en] Network industries in Europe are subject to an underlying trend towards deregulation. This deregulation, which is accompanied by the gradual opening up of markets and increased competition, creates new opportunities but also new problems in terms of coordination. At the same time, the energy markets have seen new environmental constraints added to their specifications. It is against this backdrop that the authors have had to consider the way in which the electricity and gas markets in Europe operate and their development. By focusing their analysis on the gas and electricity markets, the authors have chosen to give priority to the institutional aspect which, in their view, constitutes the driving force for the construction of a European energy market. In their view, France has a major role to play in this institutional momentum. The report's main recommendations are designed primarily to strengthen the powers of certain entities in order to accelerate the harmonisation of procedures and standards, coordination, the circulation of information, and transparency. Hence, the authors propose: - increasing the independence of national regulators and ensuring, in particular, that the protection of the collective interest comes before individual interests (operators but also the short-term interests of consumers); - increasing the powers of the Association of European Regulators (ERGEG-Plus) and harmonising the scope of action of the various European regulators. It would be desirable if, for example, the club of regulators could establish a 'code of good conduct' that sets the common rules for access to the networks, congestion and transit processing; - increasing the powers of the association of network operators (for natural gas and electricity). These associations must act in close consultation with the association of regulators; - coordinating and creating the impetus necessary for future investments. For the authors, it would appear to be difficult to transpose the French system of long-term investment planning (PPI) for electricity to Europe. However, they suggest more appropriate methods, at least for countries that are prepared to go further in the harmonisation and construction of an 'energy Schengen'. Hence, the approach adopted in this report is based on the idea of moving gradually, at least in Continental Europe, towards a single electricity network, a single regulatory body and a single electricity market; - stimulating investments by network managers without hesitating, sometimes, to encourage overcapacity in order to ultimately accelerate the fluidity of the markets and competition; - gradually adapting prices and tariffs so that they send the real market signals, those that reflect the cost of the investments needed at European level to build an energy system that is competitive, secure, and that contributes to sustainable development

[en] This bibliographical note contains the table of contents and a brief presentation of a book which proposes a general overview of the world of modern energy, focuses on the main associated political and climatic stakes and challenges. It also addresses the crucial issue of energy efficiency and energy savings which are the pillars of the current energy transition. The chapters address the world energy stakes and challenges, the emergence of a new energetic paradigm, the issues of energy efficiency and energy savings, the main sources of energy savings to be exploited and valorised, the situation in Europe and in the World regarding energy efficiency, the relationship between energy transition and local territories, the necessary continuous innovation

[en] The growing demand for natural gas in Europe is taking place within a gradual process of deregulation aiming to achieve a single energy market. Gas industry's traditional structure and behaviour are facing new forms of competition. Gas producers might be willing to capture a greater share of downstream profits while large users are interested in securing their supply at the cheapest cost. In addition, new comers could appear at all stages of the industry, that are becoming contestable markets. Challengers and defenders will probably induce important changes in industry's present structure. 11 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs

[en] In January 1992, the Commission of the European Economic Community issued a proposal for accelerating the process of building up a single market for natural gas. After the first step, already taken, to introduce price transparency, the Commission is willing to introduce progressively Third Party Access (T.P.A.) and the freedom of establishment in all segments of the natural gas industry: L.N.G. terminals, storage facilities, transmission lines and public distribution. 1 tab

[en] The future of national oil companies depends basically on their ability to get integrated in the international oil industry. The first problem to be raised is the nature of the firm. Then the strategies conducted by the companies and the states are reviewed. (Author)

[en] In October of 2009, the French Ministry of Economy asked the author to chair a work group on oil price volatility. The report resulting from that work was submitted to the minister on February 9, 2010. Based on the report, this article focuses on three major elements: (i) the operation of the oil market, with interacting physical basics and financial basics (ii) financial market regulation, more specifically commodities-derived product markets and current work in that area and (iii) the lessons one can draw from that exercise in terms of energy policy. Significant projects have been initiated on global, European and national levels. (author)

[en] Unification of the energy european market will heavily enhance external energy dependence and inter-energy competition. In order to respond to these new challenges, petroleum industry will have to change, probably in the direction of an increased integration concentration. Petroleum market share, moreover, will depend largely from environmental trends in EEC politics and regulations