Recording of Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 12:55 .

Overview of Local Flexibility Markets and Their Development in Europe

A study by the European Commission examines the role of Distribution System Operators (DSOs) in local flexibility markets and provides a framework for market-based procurement. Of the 37 initiatives analyzed, 90% focus on active power, offering important insights into the varying levels of market maturity and stakeholder participation. Most initiatives are centered on capacity reservation, with 70% offering long-term products. However, there is a lack of coordination, as only 30% of the initiatives actively collaborate with other market participants or system operators. The report also highlights the need for technology-neutral products, market-based pricing, and a layered market design. Recommendations for improving energy flexibility include leveraging new flexibility sources, such as households, and strengthening coordination between system operators. Finally, continued investment in energy infrastructure remains essential to support the integration and further development of local flexibility markets.

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Speaker

Kris Kessels
Senior Researcher Energy Markets
VITO/EnergyVille
Belgium

Talk of session: From Local Experiments to Lasting Markets: The Future of DSO Flexibility

As distribution system operators (DSOs) gain experience with local flexibility markets, the focus is increasingly shifting from pilot projects to stable, scalable and enduring solutions. This session will examine what it takes to move from experimental local flexibility schemes to robust markets that can be reliably integrated into system operation and investment planning. The discussion will address regulatory readiness, market design choices, standardization, coordination with other system operators and the conditions needed to provide long-term security for flexibility providers. By bringing together DSOs, policymakers, market actors and technology providers, the event aims to identify practical pathways towards sustainable local flexibility markets that support a resilient and decarbonized electricity system.

Further Talks of this session:

Unlocking Local Flexibility - One Market, Multiple Buyers

Speaker

Guro Grotterud
Director of Regulatory Affairs and Senior Project Manager
NODES
Norway

To Talk

Small Batteries, Big Flexibility: Aggregated Distributed Storage for DSOs

Speaker

Cristina Corchero García
CTO
Bamboo Energy S.L.
Spain

To Talk

From the Living Room to the Grid: How Matter + OpenADR Enable Mass-Market Flexibility

Speaker

Rolf Bienert
Managing Director
OpenADR Alliance

To Talk

From Pilot to Portfolio: Making Local Flexibility Work for DSO in Different Member States

Speaker

Torsten Knop
European Regulation
E.ON SE
Germany

To Talk

The Next Step in Solving Congestion on All Voltage Levels

Speaker

To Talk

Panel Discussion

To Talk

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