Smart Talks with Jovan – Season 9, Part 1: Flexibility with Dr. Ana Trbović

In the first part of our interview with Dr. Ana Trbović, member of the UN Task Force on Digitalization in Energy, we discuss key aspects of flexibility mechanisms, focusing on the role of smart metering, data management, cybersecurity, and their application in enabling flexibility at the distribution level. With her extensive experience at the intersection of technology and market design, Dr. Trbović provides valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities within the energy sector.

So, from your perspective regarding your position in the UN Task Force and in your companies, could you briefly describe your role and responsibilities?

In my role with the UN Task Force on Digitalization in Energy, my primary responsibility is to contribute to global discussions on how to create a more flexible and resilient energy system. The energy market has undergone significant changes over the years, evolving from a centralized system with large power plants to a more decentralized system with active participation from consumers.

My work involves collaborating with policymakers, engineers, and industry stakeholders to manage this transformation while ensuring that innovation is aligned with the critical need for energy security. Additionally, I work on developing decentralized technologies, such as blockchain, which can facilitate the implementation of these innovations in a more seamless way.

Flexibility is often presented as an alternative to traditional grid reinforcement. In which cases does this approach truly work in practice?

In practice, flexibility is still evolving but offers promising potential to replace or supplement traditional grid reinforcement in specific cases. It is particularly effective when we apply dynamic or time-of-use tariffs, which can drive behavior change and reduce congestion before it becomes a problem.

For instance, in 2020, we hosted a hackathon with Distribution System Operators (DSOs) from the Netherlands, Germany, and France, where we tested different time-of-use tariff models and assessed how energy communities responded. The results revealed that localized flexibility solutions can help alleviate smaller congestion issues without requiring extensive infrastructure upgrades.

However, for these models to work effectively, a robust infrastructure and visibility are necessary—something that many energy communities still lack. While there is growing awareness about flexibility, challenges such as data management, interoperability, and regulatory frameworks need to be addressed to fully support these solutions.

What are the main technical market bottlenecks that currently prevent large-scale deployment of flexibility services at the distribution level?

One of the main bottlenecks is the lack of sufficient granularity in the data we collect. In many regions, basic net metering is still used, which only measures total consumption or production at the household level. To optimize flexibility, we need asset-level metering, which provides detailed insights into how much flexibility is available at any given moment.

Another challenge is the absence of a flexibility registry. Such a registry would facilitate better interoperability of data across various market players, including DSOs, TSOs, and third-party service providers. This registry could enable the secure sharing of energy data while respecting privacy laws.

Additionally, legislative barriers are still significant. While the EU has guidelines for energy trading, the implementation at the member state level often lacks the flexibility needed for cross-community energy trading. Right now, larger assets such as PV parks are prioritized, while smaller-scale flexibility solutions remain experimental or in pilot phases.

Conclusion

Flexibility can reduce the need for traditional grid reinforcement, but only in specific, well-defined situations. It is most useful where dynamic or time-of-use tariffs can influence consumer behavior early enough to prevent smaller, local congestion issues before they require major infrastructure upgrades.

Large-scale flexibility at the distribution level depends on much more granular and interoperable data. Basic household-level net metering is not enough, because DSOs, TSOs and market actors need asset-level visibility and shared data structures, such as flexibility registries, to understand where flexibility exists and how it can be used.

Regulation is still one of the main barriers preventing flexibility from moving beyond pilots and experimental projects. Although technology and local energy trading models are developing, legal frameworks at national level still do not fully support cross-community trading or smaller-scale flexibility solutions.

Question for the audience

Can flexibility become a real alternative to grid reinforcement without granular data and regulation that supports smaller-scale solutions?