European transmission grid operators join forces to launch TSO Innovation Alliance
Eight European transmission system operators (TSO) have joined forced to launch the TSO Innovation Alliance – a new alliance platform that will spearhead joint efforts to accelerate innovation for the energy transition.
The TSO Innovation Alliance is the brainchild of eight major European Transmission System Operators: Terna (Italy); RTE (France); Swissgrid (Switzerland); Elia Group (which includes Elia in Belgium and 50Hertz in Germany); TenneT (Netherlands); Red Eléctrica (Spain); and Amprion (Germany).
Their main rationale to establish the new platform: the energy transition can benefit strongly from cross-border collaboration, the sharing of upfront investments, and learning from one another.
“We all share common challenges and priorities,” stated the TSO Innovation Alliance in a press release. “By acting together, we achieve a critical mass capable of strengthening our impact on innovation and the future of the European electricity sector.”
The key goals of the alliance are to jointly develop innovative solutions, accelerate the adoption of these solutions, guide market developments, and address the transformations that are needed to meet the evolving challenges of the energy transition.
“Tackling the ambitious challenge of the energy and digital twin transition requires innovative solutions specially created to satisfy the specific needs of our operations”, said Giuseppina Di Foggia, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Terna.
“To achieve tangible, lasting results, it is essential to adopt an open innovation approach along with other European TSOs. With the TSO Innovation Alliance, we can gain access to more advanced and effective solutions than would be possible working individually.”
Manon van Beek, CEO of TenneT, added: “Innovation is essential to use our grids more efficiently, accelerate the integration of renewables, strengthen Europe’s competitiveness, and secure our position as a global frontrunner in green technology. With the Innovation Alliance, TSOs are joining forces to tackle shared challenges and co-develop solutions that will deliver a cost-effective, resilient, and future-proof electricity system – one that underpins Europe’s strategic autonomy.”
“Through the TSO Innovation Alliance, we strengthen innovation, joint research and collaboration – to enhance the resilience and efficiency of the electricity grid in Switzerland and all over continental Europe,” noted Swissgrid CEO Yves Zumwald.
Innovation programs
To realize its ambition, the TSO Innovation Alliance will design and develop innovative concepts and programs. The alliance will also look outwards – each year, an open call to Europe’s startup ecosystem will be organised and novel technological solutions will be scouted.
The first area of focus is ‘Weather and Grid Resilience’. Europe is facing an increase in extreme weather events and power systems are shifting towards weather-dependent energy sources. This trend underscores the urgent need for innovative solutions to ensure grid resilience.
Within this domain, the TSO Innovation Alliance is currently working with startups and other industry innovators on two main areas: data pooling tools, in order to share meteorological scenarios and data on extreme climate events at European level; and probabilistic models for real-time data analysis and the programming of maintenance operations on transmission lines which straddle national borders.
Consulting partner: nlmtd
After an extensive selection process, the TSO Innovation Alliance has selected nlmtd, a Dutch management consultancy firm, as its lead consulting partner. TNW Programs, a subsidiary of nlmtd, is also part of the collaboration.
Both parties bring experience in ecosystems, technology scouting, and establishing international innovation programs.
Commenting on the project, nlmtd founder Pieter Paul van Oerle said: “The challenges in the energy transition are too vast to solve within the walls of a single organization and transcend national boundaries. The strength lies in the combination of deep sector knowledge and fresh perspectives from outside. That is precisely why open innovation is so crucial. This collaboration offers a unique platform to accelerate innovation in Europe’s electricity sector.”
