Good practices
Good practices

Report

European Grid Perspectives How system operators see the future

Report

Topic

Energy system planning & implementation

RGI interviewed 22 system operator senior executives (16 TSOs and 6 DSOs) from 16 different European countries to understand their perspectives on the most pressing topics facing the power sector. We have collected their answers in our publication “European Grid Perspectives”.

The transformation of the European power system to one based on renewables is necessary if we are going to halt climate change. This will require a shift in how the electricity grids, the backbone of the power system, are developed and operated. To help understand what this future could look like, RGI collected the personal perspectives of senior managers from European electricity grid operators, discussing topics from technology and regulation, to future roles and responsibilities. RGI did this in order to identify where there is significant consensus and to inform the wider society of the personal perspectives of grid operators. This is core to RGI’s mission to increase transparency, to build coalitions and to jointly show the path to a decarbonised power system.  

From the discussions we identified six common perspectives which are detailed in this report. From these perspectives, we have drawn a set of main findings, these are:

  • Electricity grid operators believe that the energy transformation is feasible and want to be proactive in enabling it.
  • There is consensus on many of the technical solutions the system needs to enable the integration of very high shares of renewables.
  • Electricity grid operators often described the relationship between themselves and the public in adversarial terms.
  • This mindset is unhelpful and may compound negative perceptions. Electricity grid operators expressed technological non-discrimination, although personal preferences or involvement in hand-picked pilots may put this position into question.
  • Grid operators both see their future as market and digital platform facilitators.
  • Increased cooperation should take precedent over gaining competitive advantage.
  • Effective communication of the options available to society must be enhanced to increase transparency of the decision-making process.

Read the full report

2018_RGI_European_Grid_Perspectives.pdf

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contact

Stephanie Bätjer

Director – Communication

Stephanie Bätjer

Director – Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11017
Stephanie Bätjer is leading the Renewables Grid Initiative’s communication and event activities as Programme Manager – Communication. She is also heavily involved in RGI’s policy work and all activities that look at social engagement around grids. She previously worked in the communications team of the European Climate Foundation. Stephanie has studied at the Universities of Marburg and Hamburg, Germany, and the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. She holds degrees in political science and journalism.

Stephanie Bätjer

Director – Communication

Stephanie Bätjer

Director – Communication

t: +49 30 2332 11017
Stephanie Bätjer is leading the Renewables Grid Initiative’s communication and event activities as Programme Manager – Communication. She is also heavily involved in RGI’s policy work and all activities that look at social engagement around grids. She previously worked in the communications team of the European Climate Foundation. Stephanie has studied at the Universities of Marburg and Hamburg, Germany, and the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. She holds degrees in political science and journalism.