Integrating Stakeholders into the Governance of Data Exchange from Smart Metering

Abstract

The electricity supply chain is changing due to the integration of renewable energies. Two developments are in the focus of this paper: First, the emergence of third parties and second, the requirement for information management (i.e. the management of data exchange from smart metering) as a new step in the supply chain. Information management needs to secure the neutral and non-discriminatory integration of third parties into smart grids. This can be accomplished by a collaborative governance approach. Based on veto player theory we identify two key issues for the voting process within a collaborative governance approach for information management. First, we show that a voting process based on “individual veto players” will result in governance lock-in situations, where governance innovation will be impeded. Second, we discuss that “collective veto players” can secure governance innovation for information management, but that the non-discriminatory integration for third parties might be at stake, if less than a qualified majority is required to vote on a veto.