Modernising grids in the age of electricity

Grid expansion and the better use of existing infrastructure must go hand in hand. Electricity demand is growing fast, but new networks take many years to plan, permit and build, and expansion is lagging behind. The growing queue of projects waiting for connection and the rising cost of congestion show that grids are becoming a bottleneck for meeting electricity demand, with ramifications for energy security and affordability.

Digital technologies, including AI, can unlock capacity from existing networks in months rather than years. A new IEA report, Modernising Grids in the Age of Electricity, shows that many solutions are proven, yet often stall before becoming standard practice. Given that the main barriers are institutional rather than technical, the report sets out five fronts for action: regulation, data, skills, assurance and security, and international cooperation.

This webinar presents the main findings of the report and brings together diverse stakeholders from across the electricity sector to discuss what it will take to move from pilot projects to standard practice, followed by an interactive Q&A session with webinar participants.