Topics of GSM 2026

In the last International Advisory Board (IAB) meeting the following 4 topics were highlighted as particularly important for DSOs and put up for discussion at GSM 2026:

1. Power Systems & Data Centers: Mutual Support for a Stable Grid
   How can rapidly growing data-center demand be integrated in the power system? How can data centers act as flexible, grid-stabilizing assets
   → to upload abstracts: related are topics 3 & 5
2. Flexibility for Grid, System & Market Needs: Aligning Incentives
   Flexibility is essential, but priorities differ across stakeholders. What market designs and operational frameworks can align needs from DSOs, TSOs, aggregators and customers?
   → to upload abstracts: related are topics 1 & 3
3. Battery Integration & Multi-Use Strategies: Ensuring Stability While Unlocking Value
   From behind-the-meter batteries to utility-scale storage, the push for simultaneous and stacked services raises new challenges. How can DSOs ensure safe integration while enabling revenue-maximizing operation?
   → to upload abstracts: related is topic 3
4. Forecasting, Correlated Behaviors & Emerging Herd Effects
   As electrification and flexible assets grow, forecasting errors can trigger collective reactions that amplify grid stress. How can we model, predict and mitigate these “herd behaviors” in operational planning and markets?
   → to upload abstracts: related is topic 5

Hot Topics to be discussed:
- Flexible grid access & modernized connection/fee schemes
- Market-based congestion & redispatch optimization
- Adapting grid services to AI-driven demand growth
- Managing transmission bottlenecks & evolving pricing signals

Further details for this topic group
Grid Services & Markets Transformation - Grid services & markets are evolving toward decentralized flexibility, harmonized regulation, and country-specific approaches that reflect regional energy realities. New energy business models, stronger TSO–DSO collaboration, and changing user behavior are advancing redispatch, voltage control, and system inertia services—reshaping both technical operations and how society engages with energy systems.

- Decentralized flexibility 
- Regulations, Harmonization: Network Code for 
    Demand Response, Fit for 55, Net Zero Industry Act, Revision of effort sharing 
    regulation, Energy taxation directive ETD, Energy efficiency directive, 
    Alternative fuels infrastructure directive, 
    Renewable energy directive
- Country reports, Market rules & Regional developments
- Business models & Commercial analysis
- Behavioral changes and impact on the future grid, 
    Shaping human behavior
- Behavioral changes and impact on the future grid, Shaping human behavior
- TSO, DSO, Energy communities, P2P: Flexibility & capacity markets, Dynamic 
    tariffs 
- Applications of grid services:  f-balancing, redispatch, black start, reactive power 
    compensation, voltage control, peak shaving, congestion management, load 
    balancing, inertia in the distribution grid
- TSO/DSO collaboration 
- Optimized system architecture & market rules for future scenarios, …

Hot Topics to be discussed:
- Progressive coupling of balancing markets
- Extension of X-border capacities
- Harmonize Balkan countries with the Green Package

Further details for this topic group
Cross-Border Energy Collaboration - European energy projects are boosting cross-border cooperation through shared flexibility markets, strategic bidding zone reviews, and initiatives like TYNDP and MAF. Interconnectors, offshore zones, and tailored national solutions are improving power flows, while enhanced redispatching, countertrading, and market coupling bolster reliability, efficiency, and regional integration.

- European common flexibility market
- Capacity allocation & market coupling: Forward CBC, physical long-term CBC, 
    NTC, Flow based Market Coupling (FBMC), Single Day-Ahead Coupling (SDAC), 
    Single Intraday Coupling (SIDC), Capacity Calculation Regions (CCRs)
- Coordinated redispatching & countertrading
- Bidding zone review & new interconnectors: TYNDP, MAF
- Hybrid solutions: Offshore bidding zones, home market solutions

Hot Topics to be discussed:
- Scaling DSO-level flexibility: 
  grid-supportive, system-supportive & market-ready services
- Dynamic integration of batteries & 
  DER for stability & congestion relief
- Industrial & large-load flexibility 
  for adequacy & redispatch (incl. data centers)
- Managing variable renewable input: 
  PV control & responses to dark-lull/light-breeze periods

Further details for this topic group
Flexibility in Energy Systems - Energy systems are being reshaped by grid-forming technologies and advanced power electronics like FACTS, improving stability and control. SmartX applications coordinate infrastructure, while demand-side response and storage enhance adaptability. Sector coupling and innovations like CHP, P2X, and bidirectional vehicle-grid integration help renewables and consumers deliver key grid services, fostering a more responsive and sustainable energy future.

- Grid forming
- Power electronics: FACTS
- SmartX: Grids, buildings, cities
- Storage technologies
- Load management, Demand response, Demand side management
- Sector coupling / multi-energy: CHP, district heating, P2X (Power to gas, power to 
    heat), X2P, smart waste management
- Grid-to-vehicle & vehicle-to-grid
- Renewables delivering grid services

Hot Topics to be discussed: 
- Issues with voltage management
- Forecasting precision is insufficient
- Spot price as signal drives herd effects
- Challenges in TSO-DSO relationship

Further details for this topic group
Optimizing Grid Service Operations - Grid services depend on rigorous validation, optimized control strategies, and secure data exchanges to ensure reliability and flexibility. Advanced diagnostics and predictive modeling improve situational awareness, while joint defense and cross-border cooperation strengthen resilience—forming a smart, agile energy ecosystem ready for future challenges.

- Qualification, testing, operation & field reports
- Managing centralized & decentralized flexibilities
- Data security & data transparency
- Advanced diagnostics & modeling
- Optimization & control
- Joint defense & energy collaboration

Hot Topics to be discussed: 
- AI-enhanced system operation: 
  forecasting, decision support & managing AI-related risks
- Advanced analytics & forecasting for 
  increasingly volatile, inverter-rich power systems
- European data foundations: shared architectures, 
  open-data initiatives & interoperable platforms

Further details for this topic group
Tech-Driven Grid Innovation - Energy systems are evolving through advanced forecasting, strategic planning tools, and virtual power plant aggregation that optimize distributed resources. UAVs, satellites, AI, and blockchain enhance grid monitoring, decision-making, and data security—laying the foundation for a smarter, more resilient, digitally connected infrastructure.

- Seasonal outlook, risk & opportunity assessment: Metrology, hydrology
- Virtual power plants (VPP), Aggregation
- Energy Management Systems
- Unmanned aerial vehicles & satellite technology
- Digital technologies and telecommunications: IoT, 5G, LoRa, International 
    Data Spaces
- Distributed ledger technology: Blockchain
- Tools, simulation & AI

Hot Topics to be discussed: 
- Blackout in Iberia:  
   a) develop markets to support (market aspect)
   b) grid stability supportive converters (tech. aspect)
- Ukraine is short: impact on flexibility
- Pilot in Austria: DSO-TSO: standardized 3rd party access to the flex