The ambition of the European Green Deal to reach climate neutrality by 2050 requires innovative and clean energy solutions to be deployed in the next decades. Electrification of end-uses, digitalisation and smart sector integration will play an important role for the integration of an increasing share of renewable energy sources; placing the electricity grid at the core of an integrated, decarbonised energy system.

This calls for electricity transmission system system operators to develop bold and agile innovation strategies to fast-track the integration of clean energy solutions, in cooperation with policymakers, distributions system operators and stakeholders.

In this context, as required by the Clean Energy Package and building on its Vision for Market and System Operation towards 2030, ENTSO-E has developed a Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap for 2020–2030. The ENTSO-E RDI Roadmap combines the opportunities provided by technological trends, the needs of TSOs arising from system operations and market evolution, and inputs from policy objectives of the European Commission and other stakeholders.

It identifies three major areas for research, development and innovation and six European innovation flagships addressing them. TSOs are strongly committed to deliver on these flagships and are already very active in deep electrification, enhanced grid use, control centre operations and interoperability as well as offshore development. In delivering this Roadmap, TSOs will also have to pay attention to constraints such as environmental impact, permitting procedures, public acceptance, risk of stranded assets, etc.

The realisation of the flagships will benefit the whole energy value chain and TSOs will step up collaboration with universities, research institutes, equipment manufacturers, distribution system operators, digital companies, market participants, start-ups and consumers. Support of policy makers and of the European Commission, through its programmes such as Horizon Europe and Connecting Europe Facility, will also be key.

The ENTSO-E RDI Roadmap 2020-2030 shows the will of European TSOs to coordinate their innovation efforts to deliver on the European Green Deal and its related policies. The RDI Roadmap is out for publication until 10 August and will as a next step be submitted to the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, ACER, for an opinion. The RDI Roadmap will be presented during a webinar on 2 July at 11.00 CEST. Hereby the link to the consultation and to the webinar.