From Legacy to Leadership: Europe's Digital Grid Transformation - Regulatory and Data-Governance Framework

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Recording of Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 10:01 .

The Crucial Role of Grid Digitalization and AI in the Energy Transition

Grid digitalization is vital for modernizing Europe's energy infrastructure and enabling the integration of renewable energy sources. It enhances operational efficiency, reliability, and flexibility within energy systems, ultimately supporting sustainability goals. A 100-page study by T&D Europe highlights the transformative role of AI, identifying it as an essential part of digital grid initiatives rather than a standalone solution. Comprehensive reevaluation of existing grid management and regulation is necessary to fully harness advanced digital capabilities. Current challenges include a mix of legacy systems and emerging technologies, necessitating a unified governance framework and regulatory adaptations that focus on output-based incentives. Successful implementation relies on a robust data ecosystem, ensuring accessibility and interoperability for effective stakeholder collaboration. Moreover, the integration of digital tools and enhanced data analytics is crucial for optimizing energy supply and demand management, thus facilitating a seamless energy transition.

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Speaker

Christiane Mann
Chair of the T&D Europe Working Group on Grid Digitalisation
T&D Europe
Belgium

Grid operators are no longer asking whether AI belongs in control rooms, but when they will be able to rely on it. AI tools for forecasting imbalances, detecting congestion, supporting dispatch decisions as well as enabling digital twins and edge intelligence are advancing rapidly. At the same time, European frameworks are evolving to support data-driven grid operation.But trust is not built on model accuracy alone - it requires real-world deployment, transparent validation and clear human oversight.During this 90-minute session, speakers will share concrete results from deployed systems. Find out where AI-assisted operation has delivered measurable improvements, what data infrastructure is genuinely needed and what regulatory conditions can help a tool move from the pilot phase to one that becomes part of daily operations.

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