Panel Discussion in the session Enhancing EU Industrial Competitiveness Through Large-Scale Electrification

premium account

Recording of Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 35:07 .

Experts Highlight Collaboration and Digital Solutions as Crucial for Sustainable Energy Optimization

The discussion highlights the integration of digital solutions and data-sharing practices to enhance grid operations, emphasizing collaboration across sectors. Dr. Pamela MacDougall stresses sharing load projections for better planning, referencing EPRI's past efforts in energy data management. Digitization is identified as crucial for maximizing network capacities through AI tools and smart technologies that manage congestion efficiently and minimize outages using sensors. Karol O'Kane discusses flexible connections allowing increased import capacity during off-peak times without new infrastructure—promoting optimization within flexibility markets as a non-wires solution. Zafer mentions ODCA projects focusing on innovative electrification systems with direct current technology. Dr. MacDougall calls for market adaptability to accommodate rapid system changes, advocating appropriate remuneration for undervalued resources like batteries capable of offering multiple services—a tender seeks 110 megawatts from battery storage products to ease network constraints while developing new infrastructure. Panelists agree on consumer-business collaboration towards sustainable networks, stressing transparency and information sharing as vital components alongside open-source technological advancements toward resilient energy systems aimed at decarbonization goals balanced with competitiveness through collective sector efforts.

Automated summarization by AI Conver

Karol O'Kane
Strategy Implementation Manager
ESB Networks
Ireland

Dr. Pamela MacDougall
Head of Energy Markets and Regulation
Amazon Web Services
Italy

Zafer Cankurtaran
Product Manager Energy & Power Solutions
Rittal GmbH & Co. KG
Germany

This session will investigate innovative strategies and collaborative approaches between energy-intensive industries and utilities enhancing cost-efficiency and energy security. It will explore strategies for industries to regain their competitive edge through electrification and discuss collaborative efforts between industries and utilities to shape supportive regulations. Drawing on the Draghi report on EU competitiveness, this session will outline how innovative electrification strategies can help future-proof Europe's industrial sector. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to reduce energy bills, strengthen industrial productivity, and meet environmental targets, all while maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global market.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Ioana Petcu
Senior Advisor - Climate and Industrial Policy
Eurelectric
Belgium

To Talk

Speaker

Stefan Hakansson
CEO & Senior Advisor
Oresundskraft AB and GFG Alliance
Sweden

Recording of presentation not authorized for publication.

Speaker

Michal Ossowski
Strategy Manager
EDP Comercial
Portugal

Stefan Hakansson
CEO & Senior Advisor
Oresundskraft AB and GFG Alliance
Sweden

Bertrand Deprez
Head of Policy and Government Affairs
GE Vernova
United Kingdom

Recording of presentation not authorized for publication.

Speaker

Karol O'Kane
Strategy Implementation Manager
ESB Networks
Ireland

To Talk

Speaker

Ioana Petcu
Senior Advisor - Climate and Industrial Policy
Eurelectric
Belgium

To Talk

Further Content
The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026
Panel Discussion of the Session: Turning Industrial and Commercial Demand Side Flexibility into Value

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 02:30 pm

The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Conference Program

premium account

Industrial and commercial flexibility is no longer experimental - it is becoming a core part of network operation and market participation. Across Europe, DSOs, transmission system operators (TSOs), aggregators and retailers are moving from isolated pilots to coordinated programs that avoid grid upgrades and deliver real capacity and financial value for all participants.This session focuses on the operational integration of C&I flexibility into routine grid workflows through dispatch, settlement, verification and commercial models. It highlights how flexibility is embedded in daily operations: from automated dispatch and verification tools to new contractual models that reward large energy users for adapting consumption. You will gain insight into replicable approaches for scaling flex portfolios, integrating them into control-room workflows and ensuring fair value-sharing across utilities, service providers and industrial consumers.

Webinar Collection
Demand-side flexibility in action: Real-world strategies for energy-intensive industries

May 5, 2026

free account

Webinar showing how flexibility can reduce energy costs and strengthen competitiveness.

Publications
European Battery Market Outlook 2026-2030

June 24, 2026

European Battery Market Outlook 2026-2030: How utility-scale storage drives energy sovereignty and grid flexibility despite looming target gaps.

Thomas Raffeiner and Petrouschka Werther
What EV Acceleration Means for the Grid

The smarter E Podcast Episode 260 | Language: English

July 9, 2026

Cars as batteries on wheels: Thomas Raffeiner and Petrouschka Werther discuss how V2G and smart charging turn EVs into critical grid assets.

Rutger Schlatmann and Angelika Harter
Perovskites: The Race for the Future of PV?

The smarter E Podcast Episode 258 | Language: English

June 25, 2026

HZB researchers explore perovskite tandem solar cells, efficiency gains, and the challenges of bringing the technology to market.

You are using an outdated browser

The website cannot be viewed in this browser. Please open the website in an up-to-date browser such as Edge, Chrome, Firefox, or Safari.