Strategies for Digitalisation of Electricity Systems: Power System Flexibility Campaign and 3DEN Joint Expert Webinar

In the next 10 years, electricity demand is expected to nearly double from 18% to 30% of final energy consumption. At the same time, a growing number of net-zero targets and other high ambitions for clean energy transitions will accelerate this growth in electricity demand through the electrification of new energy end-uses, like transport and heating. Variable renewables are becoming an increasingly attractive option to meet this rising electricity demand, thanks to favourable policy frameworks and technological improvements that are reducing costs. To support this new electricity ecosystem, it is becoming more important than ever to ensure electricity security through power system flexibility.

Digitalisation is at the core of power system transitions. Digital technologies enable and compound the benefits of coordinated deployment of interconnected distributed energy resources. As new business models start to emerge for electric vehicles, demand-side flexibility and active network management, it is important for policymakers to understand the important role of long-term digitalisation strategies and policy priorities. Understanding the benefits and challenges of different digitalisation approaches, interoperability, and data access and sharing will be critical for ensuring that energy efficiency and power system flexibility are embedded in power system transformation.

This joint webinar, organised by the IEA’s Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) Initiative, with the generous support of the Italian Ministry for the Environment, and the CEM’s Power System Flexibility Campaign, will compare the approaches taken in the development of emerging digitalisation strategies around the world and discuss key principles and practices for countries currently shaping their own. 

The webinar will be organised in two sessions:

• Country perspectives, comparing approaches to digitalisation from a policy makers’ perspective
• Technology approaches that respond to different digitalisation approaches, from an industry and academy perspective.