Eight leading European transmission system operators have created the TSO Innovation Alliance to accelerate technologies that strengthen the continent’s electricity grid.
The partnership brings together Terna, RTE, Swissgrid, Elia, 50Hertz, TenneT, Red Eléctrica and Amprion.
Members will pool resources, share data and run joint R&D to improve resilience, efficiency and renewables integration.
Their first annual innovation challenge will target “Weather and Grid Resilience”, seeking start-ups that can mitigate risks from extreme climate events and weather-dependent generation.
Solutions of interest include EU-wide meteorological data-pooling tools and probabilistic models for real-time analysis and predictive maintenance on cross-border assets.
The alliance will issue open calls, select the best ideas and test them through joint proof-of-concepts.
A memorandum of understanding has formalised the collaboration.
Manon van Beek, speaking for the alliance, said it would “deliver a cost-effective, resilient and future-proof electricity system”.
She added that innovation is essential to “use grids more efficiently, accelerate renewables and secure Europe’s position as a green-tech frontrunner”.