An interview with Eva Chamizo Llatas, EASE President 2017-2020

EASE President Eva Chamizo Llatas is finishing her term as president after occupying this position since 2018. Ms Chamizo Llatas has contributed greatly to energy storage advocacy thanks to her involvement in EASE leadership.

In recent years we have witnessed a big leap forward for the storage sector, and energy storage is now recognised by policymakers and industry as a central element of the energy transition. How did EASE members and you, in your role of EASE President, contribute to this goal?

Looking back, we can indeed now say that the energy storage era is upon us. With the formal adoption of the EU legislation finalising the Clean Energy Package and the start of the implementation of the European Green Deal, energy storage has risen to the top of the policy agenda.

In terms of how EASE has contributed to this goal throughout these years, I believe that the association has been right at the centre of the implementation discussions, participating in several public consultations, events, and publishing position papers with clear recommendations. EASE has also been particularly active over the last few years in organizing technical workshops with the European Commission and European Parliament, bringing together leading energy storage industry experts, policymakers, system operators, and other stakeholders to discuss the pressing issues affecting the industry.

I want to thank everyone– the EASE members and the Secretariat – for the effort and passion that has contributed to growing the energy storage sector.

In your opinion, what role should energy storage play in the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and what should the European Institutions do in the upcoming years to support the development of a sustainable and competitive industry in Europe?

The crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic is a great opportunity to drive the transition toward a new socio-economic model that is climate-neutral, resilient, sustainable, inclusive and robust.

For leading utilities, backing a green economy means investing in renewables, smart grids and energy storage. This transition also offers opportunities in new technologies and industrial processes, such as green hydrogen, an area in which Iberdrola is promoting in Puertollano, Europe's biggest plant for industrial use.

Being the President of a European Association comes with a great honour but also many responsibilities. How did you manage to combine your role of Director of European Affairs and Head of the Iberdrola Brussels Office, your private life and your tasks as EASE President?

Work-life balance isn't an exact science, nor an easy task. Each person finds his or her own way of combining career, relationships, and personal care into an integrated whole. These last three years as President, I’ve been very lucky to work with a great EASE secretariat.  We worked closely, as a team, and they made my life much easier. Thankfully I have also had the full support of my team, my company, Iberdrola, and last, but not least, my family.

I am proud to say that my company, Iberdrola, is putting a lot of effort into creating a favourable working environment based on equal opportunities, non-discrimination and respect for diversity. This focus has a direct and obvious positive impact on my team, and on me personally. For the third year in a row, our company has been recognised for its equal opportunities and gender policies in the 2020 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. In 2019 Iberdrola also adhered to the United Nations' Women's Empowerment Principles

What are the main takeaways from your experience as EASE President?

I have gained a lot from my experience as EASE President. I have obviously participated in enriching and extensive knowledge sharing sessions in the storage field with EASE members, EU officials, and other stakeholders, that gave me a deep understanding of the current and future energy storage market and industry.

But in the long term, I think I will retain the human elements -  I have been privileged to work with great and enthusiastic professionals at the EASE secretariat, Executive Board and Bureau.

Mr David Post was elected yesterday EASE President for the period 2021 – 2023. If you could give him one suggestion based on your experience, what would that be?

The Clean Energy Package(CEP) has been extremely positive in recognising storage as a key market-based player in the energy system. CEP has provided an energy storage definition, which accommodates all types of storage, from ultra-capacitors to power-to-heat. CEP has also addressed most of the energy storage barriers, for instance, the lack of clarity on ownership of storage linked to the unbundling provisions.

The “European Green Deal” will drive big changes in wide-ranging policy areas – from renewables to energy efficiency, energy taxation, effort sharing and emissions trading- to create a framework “fit for 55”. That new framework can critically influence the future development of storage in the EU, not only in the lead up to 2030, but in the longer term also.

The new Presidency will be at the centre of the “EU Green Deal” negotiations, so it will be critical for EASE to be bold, to continue proactively interacting with EU institutions and all the relevant stakeholders, and to share with them our vision of a fair and future-oriented energy market that recognises the crucial role of storage.

Thank you Ms Chamizo Llatas for your interview and for your involvement in the European Association for the Storage of Energy!