Smart Talks with Jovan – Season 9, Part 2: Flexibility with Dr. Ana Trbović
In the second part of our interview with Dr. Ana Trbović, member of the UN Task Force on Digitalization in Energy and co-founder of EnergyWamp and Grid Singularity, we continue our exploration of the role of flexibility mechanisms in modern energy systems. Dr. Trbović shares valuable insights on how emerging technologies, data management, and market-based solutions are driving energy transition forward, along with the challenges and risks associated with these innovations.
How critical are smart metering, advanced data management, and cybersecurity for reliable flexibility mechanisms?
From my perspective, smart metering, advanced data management, and cybersecurity are absolutely essential to creating reliable flexibility mechanisms. The key to successful flexibility is being able to measure, manage, and optimize resources in real time. If you cannot measure something, you cannot integrate it into any digital system, and therefore, you cannot make use of that resource.
But beyond just measuring, we must also address the issue of data access. Who owns the data? Who gets to access it? Are citizens fully informed about how their data is being used, and do they have the right to make informed choices about it? Unfortunately, the answer to this question is often no. Regulators and grid operators have a critical role in bridging this gap, ensuring citizens have more choices and higher quality services, while also protecting their privacy.
In the last 15 to 20 years, we have seen a lot of debates about smart meter rollouts and data security. While some countries, like the UK, have made great strides with innovation and regulatory testbeds, we are still in progress, not at the finish line. Many countries have rolled out smart meters and have data from Distribution System Operators (DSOs), but there’s still a significant gap in making that data accessible to all actors in the market, and in the right level of detail.
Moreover, there are still security concerns—like those raised during the blackout I experienced in Portugal last June. Having personal solar panels but being unable to use them during a grid failure really brings to light how interconnected and vulnerable we are to grid disruptions. This shows the need for more advanced digitization and better grid management to allow for local flexibility, while maintaining security.
If you were advising a distribution system operator or regulator in Europe today, what would be the first realistic and high-impact step toward implementing market-based flexibility?
If I were advising a DSO or regulator, my first recommendation would depend on the country, but broadly speaking, the first step should be to shift from simply managing energy surplus to sourcing flexibility from energy communities. Many DSOs are still focused on containing excess energy rather than looking at how flexibility from local communities can be utilized to ease congestion and balance the grid.
The key here is understanding Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing models. These models are crucial for sourcing flexibility from energy communities and should be explored much more actively. Many DSOs, especially the smaller ones, are still reluctant to fully adopt these models, but there’s an opportunity to leverage existing applications to start testing these new ways of managing flexibility.
Moreover, DSOs need to focus on encouraging and facilitating local energy trading between communities. The ability to trade energy at the community level can reduce the need for energy imports and create a more self-sufficient, resilient system. By enabling local energy trading, we would reduce reliance on external energy sources and help stabilize the grid without needing expensive infrastructure investments.
What is the most important lesson you learned throughout your career?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my career is the importance of being purpose-driven and working with people who are both passionate and enjoyable to work with. The energy transition is a complex and challenging process, but when you have the right team and a shared goal, the road becomes smoother.
Being involved in a field that’s all about sustainability and making a positive impact on the environment is deeply fulfilling. However, it’s also essential to be challenged constantly, especially in a sector that’s evolving as rapidly as energy. I’ve always found it crucial to stay open to new ideas and innovations, and work alongside people who share those values.
Through my work with both regulatory bodies and startups, I’ve learned the value of balancing innovation with caution. Energy security and data protection are crucial, but we also need to make sure we’re accelerating progress in ways that benefit everyone—citizens, governments, and the energy system at large.
Conclusion
Reliable flexibility depends not only on smart metering, but on the ability to measure, access and use data in real time. The conversation emphasizes that data must be available at the right level of detail and to the right market actors, while also protecting citizens’ privacy and giving them informed control over how their data is used.
DSOs and regulators should move from managing surplus energy toward actively sourcing flexibility from local energy communities. Time-of-Use pricing, community-level energy trading and existing digital applications can help test how local flexibility can reduce congestion, improve self-sufficiency and limit the need for costly grid investments.
The energy transition requires a careful balance between innovation, security and public benefit. New digital and market-based solutions should be accelerated, but only in a way that protects energy security, safeguards data and creates value for citizens, governments and the wider energy system.
Question for the audience
Should DSOs and regulators focus first on unlocking data or on enabling local energy communities to provide flexibility?