Summary
The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources, distributed energy resources (DER), and the electrification of transport, heating, and industry are significantly transforming power system operation. Distribution networks are increasingly affected by bidirectional power flows, dynamic congestion, and voltage issues, challenging traditional grid planning and operational approaches. These developments highlight the growing importance of enhanced coordination between Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to ensure system reliability, efficiency, and flexibility.
Read more Read lessThis paper presents the results of work conducted within the International Smart Grid Action
Network (ISGAN) Working Group 6 on Power Transmission and Distribution Systems. The main objective is to identify and analyse international best practices for enabling power system flexibility through improved TSO-DSO coordination. The study is based on a qualitative review of major European pilot projects implemented between 2013 and 2024, representing diverse geographical contexts and coordination models. The analysis addresses four key dimensions:
technical and operational coordination, information and communication technology (ICT) solutions, economic and market-based mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks.
The findings show that clearly defined roles and responsibilities are essential for effective flexibility integration. DSOs are increasingly evolving from passive network operators to active system managers, responsible for congestion management and flexibility procurement.
Enhanced coordination across planning and operational timescales enables more efficient use of distributed flexibility, reduces conflicting activations, and supports long-term network development. Technological and ICT innovations, along with harmonised market designs and adaptive regulatory frameworks, are identified as critical enablers for scaling up flexibility solutions and achieving a resilient, cost-efficient future power system.
Additional informations
| Publication type | Session Materials |
|---|---|
| Reference | C6_12019_2026 |
| Publication year | |
| Publisher | CIGRE |
| Country | Austria |
| Study committees | |
| File size | 733 KB |
| Price for non member | 30 € |
| Price for member | 30 € |
Authors
HERNDLER Barbara - AIT Austrian Institute of Technology; TRONCIA Matteo - Comillas Pontifical University; PABLO CHAVES ÁVILA José - Comillas Pontifical University; ACKEBY Susanne - RISE Research Institutes of Sweden; FUCHS Alexander - ETHZ Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
