On 16th May, SolarPower Europe hosted the Grids & Flexibility Strategy Day in our offices in Brussels. This brought together leading voices from the solar industry, policymakers from the European Commission as well as grids experts for a day of insightful discussions and strategic collaboration. The event was a high-level, solutions-focused day of dialogue aimed at transforming Europe’s electricity grids through smarter, more flexible infrastructure.
As grid constraints tighten and the urgency for faster renewable integration mounts, this workstream strategy day created a dynamic space for industry leaders, key policymakers and innovators to align on strategic priorities and system-wide solutions that will power Europe’s energy transition.
Opening the day, our CEO Walburga Hemetsberger and Torsten Knop, Chair of the Grids & Flexibility Workstream, welcomed participants with a call for bold, collaborative thinking. Senior Advisor on Grids & Flexibility, Catarina Augusto, provided a roadmap for the discussions ahead, which focused on aligning EU and national efforts to accelerate grid investments, flexibility services, and energy storage deployment.
The morning kicked off with rapid-fire “Power Talks,” where representatives from Uniper, Enphase, and Solar Technology AG showcased innovative approaches to flexibility ranging from cable pooling and hybrid renewable setups to the evolving role of storage and power control systems in grid stability.
The first strategic session explored how to evolve the EU’s Grid Action Plan into a comprehensive Grid Package, supported by insights from the European Commission’s DG ENER, Sonnedix, and RWE. A standout discussion focused on how to manage growing grid connection queues and incentivise better grid performance, with roundtable questions on transparency, flexibility-first planning, and the creation of fair regulatory frameworks.
Building on the morning’s momentum, the second session tackled the missing flexibility package essential to complement grid reforms. Speakers from DG ENER, DCBEL, Sonnedix, and Energy Europe shared how demand response, standardisation, and interoperability can unlock greater system value. The following roundtable highlighted the importance of digital tools, harmonised telemetry requirements, and realistic cross-EU alignment.
With battery storage forming the backbone of a flexible grid, the third session focused on how to unlock its full potential. Market Analyst Antonio Arruebo outlined Europe’s record-breaking battery deployment figures from our latest European Market Outlook for Battery Storage 2025-2029. After, Tesla’s Cécile Musialski made a compelling case for competitive procurement of grid-forming batteries to secure system inertia and resilience, an important topic in the wake of the recent Iberian blackout.
A second round of roundtable conversations explored shared connections, grid service remuneration, and minimum performance standards.
The day closed with a look at how network tariffs can drive flexibility. E.ON’s Torsten Knop and EDP’s Giovanni Galli provided utility and developer perspectives on tariff harmonisation and reform. The discussion centred around how tariff design can support battery storage, ensure fair cost distribution, and incentivise smart energy use without penalising less flexible consumers.
Throughout the day, a clear message emerged: Europe must act swiftly and strategically to modernise its energy system. From aligning regulatory incentives to embracing digital innovation and rethinking market access, the path forward is one of collaboration and clarity.
As SolarPower Europe continues to advocate for smarter grids and stronger storage, the Strategy Day served as a catalyst for meaningful progress, turning complex technical challenges into actionable strategic goals. We extend our sincere appreciation to all the speakers and participants whose valuable contributions have enriched our discussions.
Stay tuned for more insights and next steps as we continue to build a flexible, solar-powered Europe.
Interested in becoming a member?
Why become a member?
Do you want to stay up-to-date about solar energy?
