E.DSO Innovation and Research Committee (IRCO) conducted a structured prioritisation exercise to identify the most critical research and innovation needs for European distribution system operators (DSOs).
The study identifies 5 main domains and 34 subdomains, providing a common reference point for DSO innovation planning, research programmes, policymakers, technology providers, startups and academia.
The results show a clear consensus: grid capacity expansion, flexibility solutions and cybersecurity are the highest priorities for European DSOs. The highest-ranked topics include maximising grid capacity through flexibility and grid-enhancing technologies, strengthening cybersecurity and cyber-resilience, and increasing hosting capacity for EVs, distributed energy resources, storage and new electrified loads.
The findings highlight a sector undergoing significant transformation, with digitalisation, flexibility, active system management and resilience becoming increasingly important alongside physical grid expansion.
