Decarbonising road transport and its smart integration into the electricity distribution system is a major cornerstone of the energy transformation. EDSO welcomes this vision, as DSOs will play a crucial role in enabling both an energy and a mobility transition. Electro-mobility targets will only be met provided that there are also investments in the deployment of smart, reliable electricity networks. Therefore, EDSO proposes 5 key messages to facilitate this transition.

In the context of this year's Innogrid2020+ conference, EDSO and ENTSO-E present to the European Commission 10 innovation points to deliver the Energy Union. This vision document, jointly prepared by the two associations, outlines important steps that should be taken to foster innovation in power networks and enable the energy transition.

EDSO explores the questions of what effects does electric vehicle charging have on distribution grids, and how can distribution system operators (DSOs) tackle the integration of the new loads into their networks in a smart way.

In September 2017, the European Commission proposed a Regulation aiming at reinforcing the role of the EU Cybersecurity Agency ENISA and setting up European cybersecurity certification schemes. EDSO welcomes this piece of legislation that could bring potential to foster network and information security throughout the EU. EDSO members have continuously dedicated attention and efforts to increase security levels on their networks and in their activities. Therefore, EDSO considers this proposal as a positive step in EU cybersecurity policy. However, some further attention should be paid to specific points of the proposed certification schemes.

EDSO welcomes this consultation on the upcoming innovation funding from the European Union. EDSO has been founded in 2010 with the explicit goal of promoting smart grids and thus encouraging innovation in the energy system. It is therefore with great interest that EDSO participates in this consultation and would like to bring some additional points to the attention of the European Commission, explaining more in details the DSOs’ needs in terms of smart grids innovation and how the Union could contribute to their fulfilment. A first part will provide feedback on the general landscape of EU funding frameworks; a second section will then point out some recommendations on the setup of these programmes; a final chapter will deal with the conditions for efficient uptake by DSOs of innovative solutions deriving from projects.

With the European energy transition demanding closer inter-DSO cooperation in the interest of customers and society at large, the European associations representing DSOs (distribution system operators) – CEDEC, EDSO for Smart Grids, eurelectric, Eurogas and GEODE – have been working together constructively now for several years. In recognition of the fact that DSO issues are becoming of increasing interest and importance to European energy policy, the European Commission has repeatedly expressed its desire to receive trusted, expert level advice on a range of matters affecting DSOs. These include market design, DSO/TSO cooperation, flexibility patterns and procedures, integration of renewable energy sources, deployment of smart grids, demand response, digitalisation and cyber security.

On 19 February, 3 DSO associations at the European level sent a joint statement to the European Parliament and the European Council on the current discussions related to the EU DSO Entity. The statement brings 3 key messages: The 3 associations express their concern on the European Council’s general approach and ITRE’s compromise amendment on Articles 49, 49 (a), 50 and 50 (a) new of the Electricity Regulation. Member-DSOs of the EU DSO Entity should be able to choose a suitable proxy and the details of the proxy selection should be left to the upcoming statutes. To ensure a fair and proportional decision-making process of the entity, the 3 associations support the 14/7/7 representation per DSO size group in the entity’s Board as originally proposed by the European Commission.

EDSO welcomes the consultation of the European Commission (EC) on the establishment of the annual priority lists for the development of network codes (NC) and guidelines (GL) for 2018. Considering the lack of new substance in the consultation document, EDSO would also like to take this opportunity to formulate some general remarks on the way forward in the development of network codes.

This response paper is a joint response from EURELECTRIC, CEDEC, GEODE and EDSO for Smart Grids, taking part in the ENTSO-E public consultation on All TSOs' proposal for the key organisational requirements, roles and responsibilities (KORRR) in relation to data exchange pursuant to Article 40.6of Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1485 of 2 August 2017 establishing a guideline on electricity transmission system operation (SO GL). The consultation response has been submitted online.

Engaging in local energy communities represents a promising opportunity for Europe’s consumers to better manage their energy use while promoting a wider renewables uptake. In their function as neutral market facilitators and key enablers of the energy transition, distribution system operators will play a fundamental role in empowering prosumers, individually or collectively engaged in energy self-consumption. In this position paper, EDSO for Smart Grids highlights the roles that DSOs will play in supporting these new entities with the most adequate grid infrastructure solution. Such services can include grid balancing, data metering and other solutions they may need. However, EDSO also signals that the regulatory framework for energy communities must be rightly set, by making sure that new entities are not exempted from network charges and other system obligations that apply to the rest of the customers.