IEA ISGAN Working Group 6: Transmission and Distribution Network Systems (Working period 2025-2026)

IEA ISGAN Working Group 6 focuses on Power Transmission and Distribution Systems (T&D), addressing challenges in developing future smart grids. It promotes technology deployment and strategic adoption to enhance the safe and secure supply of electricity. This supports electrification expansion, renewable integration, distributed generation, and customer engagement. During 2025-2026, the project will explore grid-forming inverters and their impact on the power grid and stakeholder interactions.

Short Description

Goals and objectives:

The working group (WG6) is dedicated to advancing the integration and interaction between transmission and distribution networks. Its mission is to build a comprehensive knowledge base and gather insights from countries that are already engaged in, or have completed, pilot-phase projects or investigations. This effort aims to support the formulation of a long-term strategic vision for future sustainable energy systems, enhancing the understanding of smart grid technologies and their role in optimizing the performance and efficiency of electricity systems. Key objectives of the working group include:

Developing Long-Term Visions: Establish strategic perspectives for the evolution of sustainable power systems that align with global energy and climate goals.
Addressing System Challenges: Identify and clarify key system-related challenges, focusing on technological advancements, market mechanisms, and policy frameworks that enable effective and resilient system solutions.
Promoting Knowledge Exchange: Foster cross-country knowledge sharing on advanced grid technologies, highlighting their contributions to clean energy transition, climate objectives, and universal sustainable energy access.

Content:

The Austrian research focus area is currently based on investigating the role of grid-forming inverters and their influence on power grids and interaction of stakeholders. Within the framework of the project, the following key questions/objectives will be examined:

How are the parameters of the grid-forming devices controlled/operated to ensure adequate voltage and frequency management? Which actor will be responsible for this?
How can grid-forming devices be designed in a decentralized manner in such a way that no negative interactions occur, and the grid is stable regardless of the energy mix and the grid topology?
How will the detection and elimination of unintended stand-alone solutions be implemented in future power systems?
How can black start capabilities be realized with grid-forming converters that are mainly connected at the level of the distribution system operators (DSOs)?

Expected Results:

In the first phase, data collection and knowledge sharing will take place through cooperation with national and international stakeholders (e.g. transmission system operators, distribution system operators, research institutes and experts). In addition, the work is carried out through a continuous dialogue with other ISGAN working groups (e.g. WG 5 & WG 9) and other international organisations (e.g. IEA PVPS). The first results will be presented in a webinar and further elaborated in a workshop. In the final phase, the results will be consolidated and published as a discussion paper.

Participants

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, European Commission, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico (currently inactive), Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden (lead), Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Contact Address

Barbara Herndler
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Giefinggasse 2 | 1210 Vienna | Austria
Mobil: +43 664 88335434
Mail: barbara.herndler@ait.ac.at