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IEA Action Network "Intelligent Energy Systems": International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN TCP)

ISGAN is an international network for the development and exchange of expertise on smart, clean, flexible and resilient power grids ("smart grids"). ISGAN provides a platform for the communication of international experiences, trends and insights for the implementation of smart grid solutions in decarbonized energy systems of the future.

Short Description

ISGAN's mission is to improve the understanding of smart grid technologies and to advance the development and diffusion of these technologies regionally, nationally, and globally.

ISGAN is a network of innovation stakeholders from government, research institutions, and businesses in participating states and conducts regular knowledge exchange, research, and awareness activities. ISGAN also produces regular policy recommendations.

Activities focus on five main areas:

  • Policy standards and regulation
  • Financing and business models
  • Technology systems development
  • Workforce skills and knowledge
  • User and consumer involvement

ISGAN is a Technology Collaboration Program of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM).

ISGAN is currently structured in six ongoing working groups. All communication and dissemination tasks of the results from the technical working groups (number 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9) are combined in the Communication Working Group (CWG). Its task additionally includes the cooperation with other organizations and initiatives.

ISGAN Working Groups

Communications Working Group (CWG)

  • Task 1: Policy Insights - prepares insights for decision makers.
  • Task 2: Case Studies - provides smart grid case studies and information on national drivers for smart grids and best practices for implementation.
  • Task 3: Structured knowledge exchange between different stakeholders; Knowledge Transfer Projects (KTPs).
  • Task 4: ISGAN Academy- provides an e-learning platform and webinars.
  • Task 5: Cooperation with other organizations and initiatives
  • Task 6: Content contributions on the website and social media.

Working Group 3 Cost-Benefits

is developing an evaluation system to quantify the benefits of smart grid solutions (Lead: Italy).

Working Group 5 Testing Labs

is dedicated to the international exchange of smart grid test facilities, test beds and demonstration projects (Lead: Germany).

Working Group 6 Power Systems

addresses the potential system-related challenges of smart grid. (Lead: Sweden)

Working Group 7 Transition

works on governance issues as well as the development of processes for broad participation of relevant societal groups in smart grid transition processes. (Lead: Austria)

Working Group 9 Flexibility markets

aims to gain a better understanding of flexibility market designs in the power system (Lead: UK).

Austria is represented in the communication working group as well as in the working groups 5,6,7 and 9. Austria also has the role of the operating agent of ISGAN over and provides one of the two co-secretariats, which hold the management of ISGAN.

Ongoing Annexes

Completed Annexes

  • Annex 4: Synthese von Informationen und Erkenntnissen für politische Entscheidungsträger:innen
    Working period 2014 - 2017     (in German)
 

Publications

Publications can be viewed on the page in German.

Participants

Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and USA.

The chair of ISGAN is Luciano Martini (Italy), the Operating Agent is Mihai Calin (Austria).

Contact Address

ExCo Representative

Ing. Michael Hübner
Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Department of Energy and Environmental Technologies
Radetzkystraße 2
A-1030 Wien
Tel.: +43 (1) 71162 / 65 2922
Fax: +43 (1) 71162 / 2013
E-Mail: Michael.Huebner@bmk.gv.at

Alternate ExCo Representative

DI Helfried Brunner, MSc
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Center for Energy
Giefinggasse 2
A-1210 Wien
Tel.: +43 (505) 50 6382
E-Mail: helfried.brunner@ait.ac.at

Operating Agent

AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Mihai CALIN, PhD.
Center for Energy
Giefinggasse 2
A-1210 Wien
Tel.: +43 50550 6212
E-Mail: mihai.calin@ait.ac.at

Co-Secretariat

DI Dr. Susanne Windischberger
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Center for Energy
Giefinggasse 2
1210 Vienna
Tel.: +43 50550-6290
M: +43 664 88964968
E-Mail: Susanne.windischberger@ait.ac.at