부산대학교 도서관

Over the last few years, I have usually started any keynote I have been invited to give with a pitch about the 4D transformation of the electric energy industry toward “decarbonization, digitalization, decentralization, and democratization.” While most agree on the first three Ds, some energy specialists simply ignore the last D, while others give it another meaning like “diversification.” Deloitte Canada states that diversity and redundancy in energy supply chains aim at ensuring reliability and resilience of the electrical system. In my case, and I share this viewpoint with many, the last D means “democratized,” defined as follows: “Consumers are increasingly empowered to challenge the status quo.” So, the power will be turned to the consumers? Really? Based on the findings in this issue, empowering the consumers by opening the retail market to competition has generally resulted in mixed results if not failures.