The Energy Transition - Challenges for Grid Operators

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Recording of Tuesday, May 06, 2025 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 13:37 .

European Energy Transition: Challenges, Innovations, and the Role of Smart Networks in Decarbonizing Society

The speaker, representing ETIP SNET (European Technology Innovation Platform for Smart Networks), addresses the audience at a conference in Germany. They humorously acknowledge common jokes about Portugal's energy stability before delving into their presentation on European energy policy and challenges facing Distribution System Operators (DSOs). The focus is on Europe's commitment to decarbonization and industrial revitalization through renewable integration, particularly solar power with potential offshore wind developments. Emphasizing grid reliability amidst increasing electricity consumption, they highlight the importance of decentralized systems for resilience against disruptions like recent events in Portugal and Spain. Challenges include regulatory frameworks across EU member states, investment needs, supply chain issues, digitalization efforts, and skill development—especially concerning AI applications within smart grids. The speaker stresses proactive planning for grid-friendly flexibility solutions while urging collaboration among stakeholders to enhance infrastructure resilience as part of strategic roadmaps initiated by ETIP SNET.

Automated summarization by AI Conver

Luís Vale Cunha
Chairman
ETIP SNET
Portugal

The global energy landscape is changing rapidly as demand for electricity increases and distributed generation becomes more widespread. In their efforts to modernize and expand an already aging power grid, utilities and grid operators face significant obstacles and challenges in maintaining system stability and resilience. In addition, shortages of skilled labor and materials are slowing infrastructure development. Addressing these issues requires technological innovation, policy reforms, and collaboration across the energy industry. The session will explore how to create a power system that is not only reliable and secure but also flexible enough to adapt the changing energy landscape.

Further Talks of this session:

Speaker

Carmen Gimeno
Secretary General
GEODE
Belgium

Recording of presentation not authorized for publication.

Speaker

Rune Hogga
Head of Flexibility
A Energi
Norway

To Talk

Speaker

Harri Salomäki
Head of Asset Management and Partnerships
Elenia
Finland

To Talk

Speaker

Mark Nigge-Uricher
Senior Business Developer
Alliander N.V.
The Netherlands

To Talk

Speaker

Maddalena Pondini
Sustainability Advisory Expert
Siemens AG
Germany

Recording of presentation not authorized for publication.

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

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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

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

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