Recording of Wednesday, June 19, 2024 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 12:22 .

DSOs Face Significant Challenges and Opportunities in Energy Transition, Emphasize Need for Investment and Smart Technologies

As a representative of Distribution System Operators (DSOs), the speaker addresses both challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. The primary challenge is the massive investment needed to modernize grids, estimated at 67 billion euros annually for Europe plus Norway, essential to manage the energy transition effectively. DSOs are now recognized as pivotal players in this transition, marking a shift from previously focusing solely on renewable incentives. At EDP, significant investments have been made across Brazil, Spain, and Portugal. In Iberia specifically, there has been substantial growth in connecting renewable power plants to grids - with notable increases projected from 2021 to 2024 for self-consumption and electric mobility initiatives. The transformation includes adapting grids initially designed for unidirectional flows into systems capable of handling bidirectional energy demands. Smart meters play a crucial role; Spain already boasts full smart meter installation while Portugal aims to achieve it by year's end. Lastly, EDP emphasizes transparency through open data initiatives and enhancing grid flexibility through new strategic endeavors initiated last year. This evolution turns DSOs from mere electrical operators into key data-centric entities critical for an efficient energy future.

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Speaker

José Ferrari Careto
CEO of Networks Business
EDP Group

Talk of session: Demand Side Flexibility - the Role of Grid Infrastructure, Market Players and Digitalization in Meeting Consumer Expectations

Active consumer involvement is a crucial aspect of the energy transition. Demand-side flexibility is essential for a flexible energy system that integrates the exponentially growing number of distributed energy resources. Both the system and society in general need consumers to adapt their energy usage to the available network capacity. Digitalization and new technologies - such as smart meters - as well as market-based solutions will allow consumers to become active players. However, being able does not necessarily mean being willing, so incentives are needed. This session will also address how our grid can be prepared to meet consumer expectations and how to deal with a flood of connection requests in a timely manner while ensuring security of supply.

Further Talks of this session:

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Carmen Gimeno
Secretary General
GEODE
Belgium

To Talk

Pursuing Socially Inclusive Demand-side Flexibility in Europe

Speaker

Andreas Jahn
Senior Associate
Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP)
Belgium

To Talk

Flexibility Potential in the Household Sector - a Billion-Euro Market

Speaker

Sebastian Mahlow
Managing Director
ison GmbH
Germany

To Talk

Enabling Prosumers to Accelerate the Energy Transition

Speaker

Dr. Frank Schlichting
CEO
Kiwigrid GmbH
Germany

To Talk

The Customer-powered Energy Transition: How Utilities can Accelerate Demand Side Flexibility

Speaker

Alex Schoch
Global Head of Flexibility
Octopus Energy
UK

To Talk

Panel Discussion

To Talk

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