General – Innovation Alliance
Today marks the launch of the new TSO Innovation Alliance, bringing together leading European Transmission System Operators to drive innovation in the electricity sector.
Eight European Transmission System Operators (TSOs) have started a collaboration to accelerate the development of innovative solutions that enhance the resilience and efficiency of the European electricity grid.
The TSO Innovation Alliance was officially established with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between major Europen Transmission System Operators which become the founding members of the organisation: Terna (Italy); RTE (France); Swissgrid (Switzerland); the Elia Group (which includes Elia in Belgium and 50Hertz in Germany); TenneT Holding (Netherlands); Red Eléctrica (Spain); and Amprion (Germany).
‘Weather and Grid Resilience’ will be the first area chosen by the Alliance to work on: an innovation challenge will be launched to find startups with innovative solutions to overcome the risks posed to the grid by increasingly extreme climate events and facilitate the integration of weather-dependent energy sources
Europe’s strategic autonomy and industrial competitiveness depend on an innovative, resilient, and forward-looking grid. Grids are the backbone not only of the energy transition but also of economic prosperity, by providing access to affordable, reliable, and decarbonized electricity.
To deliver on the shared net-zero goal, it is necessary to harness the accelerating potential of innovation and recognize it as a strategic asset in a world defined by competition over technologies, supply chains, and system leadership.
Europe must lead in energy innovation to shape global standards, reduce dependency on third countries, and strive for global competitiveness as a technology frontrunner.
The Alliance puts that commitment into practice through actions fostering the innovation ecosystem, together with joint research and development on solutions that will boost the resilience, efficiency, and technological advancement of the continent’s electric infrastructure.
The Alliance has been established in response to the growing desire for leading European TSOs to assume a more active role in shaping the future of the electricity sector. The members share common challenges and priorities and aim to coordinate their innovation efforts more closely, leveraging expertise and resources.
By aligning on strategic technology needs and promoting shared priorities, they seek to guide market developments and foster innovative approaches and solutions that meet the evolving challenges of the energy transition.
Each year, the Alliance will launch an innovation program focused on scouting new technological solutions for shared challenges, exchanging metrics and good practices, and fostering collaboration across TSOs.
The most promising ideas will be selected through an open call to the European startup ecosystem, in order to find the best available solutions and test them through joint proof-of-concepts.
