Publications
Distribution grids are a critical enabler of the energy transition. They face unprecedented pressures from increasing renewable energy deployment; accelerating electrification of heating, transport and industry; and growing demand from data centres. At the same time, grid development must support broader societal priorities, including affordability, resilience, economic development, and climate objectives. Distribution grid development, and […]
- Communication Working Group
This casebook is one of the outcomes of the Lighthouse Project on Long-Term Planning and Implementation for the Evolution of Smart Distribution Grids. It combines contributions from ISGAN’s working groups with a dedicated knowledge-sharing process involving internal and external stakeholders. The casebook brings together fifteen cases from ten countries, highlighting innovations in smart distribution grid planning across […]
- Working Group 9
This report has been developed within the framework of international collaboration between ISGAN, BRIDGE, and the European Commission’s BeFlexible project. It reflects the joint efforts of project partners to analyse how electricity distribution remuneration schemes can promote an efficient use of flexibility solutions by DSOs. The results and discussion presented here combine regulatory principles with […]
- Working Group 3
This paper presents a structured review of methodologies for assessing the flexibility needs of modern power systems, with a focus on both transmission and distribution levels. Flexibility is analyzed as a system-wide requirement to accommodate the variability and uncertainty introduced by renewable generation, and as a resource-side or grid-side capability enabled by controllable assets. The […]
The ISGAN 2025-2026 Annual Report highlights the International Smart Grid Action Network’s activities and achievements between March 2025 and February 2026. As electricity systems undergo rapid transformation driven by electrification, renewable energy integration, and the growing need for flexibility and resilience, the report showcases how ISGAN continues to strengthen international collaboration and support governments in […]
- Working Group 9
In recent years, the electricity market has experienced strong fluctuations and frequent market interventions (e.g., windfall profit taxes in Austria, Germany, Italy, and Spain, or the introduction of electricity price caps), which can significantly affect the security of supply. In addition, high shares of renewable energy sources (RES), driven by support mechanisms, have led to […]
- Working Group 6
The planning and operation of the power system will be affected substantially by the development of the hydrogen sector, mainly due to the electrification of hydrogen production. This work explores the impact of the integration of the hydrogen sector on the power sector in three dimensions: power grid planning; power system development; and power grid […]
- Working Group 9
Electrification of energy demand (particularly in heating and mobility) alongside the rapid proliferation of distributed generation (especially rooftop PV) is presenting significant challenges to distribution system operators (DSOs). Most distribution grids were not typically designed to accommodate the increased, and especially the bidirectional, power flows. To reduce the need for costly and extensive network extensions […]
- Working Group 9
This report has been developed within the framework of international collaboration between ISGAN, BRIDGE, and the European Commission’s BeFlexible project. It reflects the joint efforts of project partners to analyse how different acquisition mechanisms, such as network tariffs, flexible connection agreements, and local flexibility markets, can support DSOs in addressing network needs. The results presented […]
- Working Group 3
The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources, alongside growing policy support for decarbonization and decentralized energy systems, has heightened interest in local flexibility markets across Europe. Within the framework of the EU’s Clean Energy Package—particularly Directive (EU) 2019/944 and Regulation (EU) 2019/943—Distribution System Operators (DSOs) are encouraged to explore flexible solutions at the local level […]
