Topics of GSM 2027

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

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:
- 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

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:
- 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

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

Addresses the physical grid infrastructure needed, including, transformer constraints, investments, cross-border connections, grid access, and future-proofing. 

Grid Infrastructure examines how transmission and distribution networks can be expanded, reinforced, and modernised for a more decentralised, renewable, and electrified energy system. It considers the physical assets required to manage congestion, integrate prosumers and flexible resources, maintain stability, and improve resilience, alongside the investment, regulatory, and business-model questions facing DSOs and TSOs—including cross-border connections and coordination with other energy carriers.

- Grid expansion, reinforcement, and replacement of ageing assets
- Transformer capacity, congestion management, and connection queues
- Integrating renewables, prosumers, storage, and flexible demand
- DSO–TSO coordination and the evolving roles of network operators
- Investment, cost recovery, tariffs, amortisation, and regulatory frameworks
- Cross-border interconnections, system resilience, and infrastructure for other energy carriers

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

Grid services and market operations depend on rigorous validation, optimized control strategies, transparent data exchange, and effective coordination between technical and commercial processes. Advanced diagnostics and predictive modelling improve situational awareness, while cross-border cooperation strengthens reliability, flexibility, and resilience.

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

6.1 Applied AI

Examines how AI is transforming the energy landscape, including the emerging AI for power systems and power systems for AI.

6.2 DSOs’ Role in Enabling & Integrating Flexibility

Active DSOs driving the energy transition through the procurement, operation and integration of flexibility, with an emphasis on coordination, tools, processes, governance and mobilisation.

6.3 Case Studies & Demonstrations

Presents practical examples and demonstrations that show how grid-service, flexibility and market solutions perform in real-world settings.

6.4 International Projects & Collaborations

Projects and collaborations that accelerate the development, implementation and scaling of grid-service solutions and business 

International 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.

- International 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