Breadcrumbs
The EU’s Grid Policy Framework
Identifying expected actions, potential gaps and recommendations
Digitalisation – the integration of digital technologies to improve the operation, management and planning of grids – brings a range of significant benefits for both grid users (consumers, industry, power generators, storage and flexibility providers) and operators, while also contributing to the development of the common European energy data space. It reduces grid operational costs, extends asset lifetimes and enhances the integration of renewable energy. With about 70% of future renewable generation and electricity storage expected to be connected to the distribution grid, a rapid digital transformation at these lower voltage levels is critical.
However, grid modernisation and digitalisation remain slow across many EU countries, hindered by technical factors such as legacy infrastructure, limited interoperability, and the lack of standardisation. The diversity of DSOs across the EU also presents a challenge – implementing highly customised solutions may be necessary but these tend to be difficult to scale and roll out EU-wide.
To accelerate the digitalisation process and address these challenges, a two-stage approach is proposed below. It is inspired by the successful strategy used for the development of energy communities, where local experimentation led to a broader, EU-wide framework.
- Targeted funding for pilot projects on grid digitalisation across various regions, especially those led by DSOs. These pilot projects will focus on addressing the technical challenges of integrating digital technologies with existing infrastructure and overcoming interoperability issues. This localised approach allows DSOs to experiment with innovative, customised solutions that reflect the specific needs of their grids while identifying organisational, human and economic barriers.
- Development of a Technical Toolbox: Out of these pilot projects, technical assistance would be provided to develop a comprehensive toolbox of best practices, interoperability technologies and standardisation guidelines that can be scaled across the EU. This toolbox will serve as a resource for DSOs, addressing both technical and organisational barriers. This approach ensures that lessons learned from pilot projects are shared widely and adapted to local needs, while standardised practices ensure scalability and consistency across the EU.
Supporting Material
Acknowledgements
High-voltage electricity line in the Gotteskoog polder, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Credit: imageBROKER.com GmbH & Co. KG / Alamy Stock Photo
The importance of expanding and modernising electricity grid infrastructure is growing rapidly as Europe strives for energy self-sufficiency through deploying home-grown renewables and stepping up electrification. The last two years have seen huge progress on grid policy in response to urgent stress signals in the form of congestion, renewables curtailment and long grid connection queues. The recently developed EU grid policy framework is a composite of various policy documents including grid specific initiatives, such as the Grid Action Plan of November 2023, and amendments to relevant legislative files, such as the revised Electricity Market Design.