With the expansion of renewable sources of energy and increasing decentralization, the need for digitalization in distribution systems is growing. In future, it will no longer be possible to manage extremely decentralized energy systems without automation, as systems must be able to respond quickly and flexibly to volatile wind and solar power generation.
A growing number of grid operators are now relying on digital twins to better understand and manage the effects of this volatile supply. The current status of products, applications and solutions, alongside new ideas and approaches for smart power grid digitalization, will be presented and discussed at EM-Power Europe, the international exhibition for energy management and integrated energy solutions that will be bringing together the industry’s players, thinkers and decision makers in Munich from May 7–9, 2025.
The exhibition takes place as part of The smarter E Europe, Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry. Overall, more than 3,000 exhibitors and over 110,000 visitors from all around the world are expected to attend.
Digital twins change the way in which distribution system operators plan, operate and monitor their grids. This technology can enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve grid stability, which is essential in light of the growing share of renewable energy in the power mix.
It is important to note that a functional, high-performance digital twin only requires data to be collected and measured at a few strategically important points in the grid being modeled, and not at every point. In the same vein, measurements do not need to be taken at one-second intervals. Gathering data at one-minute intervals, as required by Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), is sufficient.
Historical and real-time data analyses can be used to optimize grids and simulate future loads. For example, the digital twin can be used in scenario analyses to show the impact of different feed-in and consumption scenarios on grid stability. Close monitoring and controlling could unlock new capacities instead of using conservative planning approaches. The key is to create more intelligence and transparency at all grid levels, especially in the lower ones, to optimize infrastructure utilization.
Another benefit of these analyses is that standard procedures, such as verifying grid connection requests for PV systems or heat pumps, which are becoming ever more numerous thanks to the energy transition, can be fully automated. This saves both time and effort, easing the burden on grid operators.
Alliander, one of the largest grid companies in the Netherlands, entered into a technology partnership with Siemens in the fall of 2024. Their goal is to significantly increase the flexibility and efficiency of the Dutch power grid. At the heart of the initiative is Siemens’ Gridscale X software platform, which is set to increase grid usage by up to 30 percent.
To provide the relevant background, Alliander supplies around 3.5 million customers with electricity and gas. In the Netherlands, more than half of the electricity used comes from renewable sources, which significantly increases the demands on the distribution system. In addition, there are enormous bottlenecks, with some customers waiting up to ten years for a grid connection. This is where efficient flexibility management is needed to maximize grid capacities, channel investments and reduce costs. “Flexibility management is essential for a renewable and resilient grid,” says Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software.
The TwinEU project is an EU initiative that aims to develop digital twins for various environments, thereby driving forward Europe’s digital transformation and making both cities and regions smarter and more sustainable. As Veronica Cardoni from the European Distribution System Operator Association E.DSO[MJ1] explains: “Digitalisation is reshaping the European energy sector, unlocking groundbreaking opportunities to address the challenges brought by electrification and the increasing integration of distributed energy resources.
The deployment of integrated digital twins will play a crucial role in the optimisation of the energy system as a whole through the enhanced acquisition, use and exchange of grid infrastructure and asset data. As exemplified by the TwinEU project, Distribution System Operators are leading this digital transformation, aligning with the industry needs to improve network operations, accelerate cost-effective grid investment, and enhance customer interaction.
In today’s dynamic power grids, AI is increasingly becoming a standard component of digital twins because it makes the systems more efficient. Learning software enables grid operators – especially those of medium to low-voltage grids – to analyze data, make proactive decisions and automate decision-making processes.
The European Commission estimates that grid operators will need to invest at least 170 billion euros in grid digitalization and intelligence by 2030. Trade visitors to EM-Power Europe, which is taking place from May 7–9, 2025 in Munich, will discover which technologies are already available and what use cases exist for digital twins.
At the presentations held at The smarter E Forum in hall B5 during EM-Power Europe, they will hear all about how digital solutions are being used to efficiently plan and expand power grids. The EM-Power Europe Conference, taking place from May 6–7, 2025 at the International Congress Center Messe München (ICM), will also focus on digital solutions. Disruptive AI and GenAI technologies, digital twins and 5G will be the discussed in the Innovation and Digitalization session.
In addition to this, the side event Unlocking the Potential of AI and Generative AI in Smart Grids: A Guide for Action will be held on May 7, also in the ICM. This event will include presentations on EU projects exploring the use of AI and GenAI in smart power grids, while also identifying open research topics and promoting knowledge sharing between stakeholders and member states. The event is organized by the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Smart Networks for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET), the European Commission platform that is the driving force behind research and innovation to support the energy transition.
EM-Power Europe, and the parallel events Intersolar Europe, ees Europe and Power2Drive Europe, will take place from May 7–9, 2025 as part of The smarter E Europe, Europe’s largest alliance of exhibitions for the energy industry, at Messe München.