Siemens has unveiled its newest software tool, the Gridscale X Flexibility Manager, aimed at helping distribution system operators (DSOs) optimize grid capacity and streamline connections for distributed energy resources (DERs) and data centers. As DSOs confront increasing grid congestion and capacity challenges, this solution emerges at a crucial time when electrification is pivotal for achieving net-zero energy systems. However, current grid infrastructure inadequacies pose significant roadblocks.
In a recent survey, 74% of energy executives identified smart grids and software as essential for facilitating the energy transition. Particularly in distribution grids, digital technologies provide critical insights, allowing operators to effectively oversee, anticipate, and control electricity flow across the grid.
Potential of Flexibility for Grid Operations
Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software, emphasized the transformative impact of flexibility in planning and operations for DSOs during the energy transition. "Unlocking the potential of flexibility for grid planning and operations is a game-changer for DSOs navigating the energy transition," Erlinghagen stated.
"With Gridscale X, utilities can maximize the use of existing infrastructure, accelerate renewable integration and data center connections, and make smarter investments to deliver a more resilient energy future. It's not just about managing today’s grid but shaping tomorrow’s autonomous energy landscape."
About Gridscale X Flexibility Manager
Gridscale X is a software platform designed to enable autonomous grid management
Gridscale X is a software platform designed to enable autonomous grid management. Part of Siemens Xcelerator, it aims to aid customers in accelerating digital transformation.
By forecasting potential grid congestion, the Flexibility Manager allows operators to manage flexible resources proactively. The software enhances traditional grid reinforcement strategies by unlocking existing capacity and improving operational stability.
DSO infrastructure
The system integrates seamlessly with DSO infrastructure to continually assess grid conditions and forecast potential overloads. Upon predicting constraints, it identifies available flexibility from distributed resources such as electric vehicles, heat pumps, and batteries. This enables operators to activate effective measures through market or operator platforms, thus balancing the grid efficiently.
Leveraging this software, DSOs can boost grid capacity utilization by up to 20% and cut grid investment costs by up to 40% through strategic flexibility utilization.
Flexible Management Case Study: KNG
Utility KNG is gearing up for a more complex and dynamic grid environment due to rapid distributed generation growth
In Austria, the utility KNG is gearing up for a more complex and dynamic grid environment due to rapid distributed generation growth. By 2030, solar capacity in Carinthia is set to nearly double, introducing new congestion and voltage stability challenges.
The shift towards a market-based flexibility framework also requires DSOs like KNG to explore innovative operational and digital capabilities. In anticipation, KNG partnered with Siemens to develop the Flexibility Manager, addressing current network challenges and preparing for regulatory changes.
Next Phase of Flexibility Implementation
Robert Schmaranz, Head of Operations at KNG, notes the complexities of the evolving regulatory landscape alongside substantial operational challenges in the transition to cleaner energy. "We are facing a new and increasingly complex regulatory framework, combined with massive challenges in system operations as we transition to a cleaner energy future," Schmaranz explained.
Collaborating with Siemens, KNG addressed real network challenges and engaged in knowledge exchange with other European DSOs, fostering best practice sharing as they collectively embark on the next phase of flexibility implementation.
Siemens has launched its latest Gridscale X offering: “Gridscale X Flexibility Manager”, empowering distribution system operators (“DSOs”) to maximize the use of existing grid capacity and accelerate grid connections for distributed energy resources (“DERs”) and data centers in a flexible way.
DSOs continue to face the increasing challenges of grid congestion and capacity constraints. At the same time, electrification is seen as the most feasible way to achieve net zero energy systems, but it is held back by inadequate grid infrastructure.
In a recent study, 74 percent of energy executives said that smart grids and grid software are crucial enablers for the energy transition. In distribution grids in particular, digital technologies are crucial to gain insights and visibility over the grid, so that grid operators can effectively monitor, predict, and manage the flow of electricity.
Potential of flexibility for grid planning and operations
"Unlocking the potential of flexibility for grid planning and operations is a game-changer for DSOs navigating the energy transition," said Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Siemens Grid Software.
"With Gridscale X, utilities can maximize the use of existing infrastructure, accelerate renewable integration and data center connections and make smarter investments to deliver a more resilient energy future. It's not just about managing today’s grid but shaping tomorrow’s autonomous energy landscape."
About Gridscale X Flexibility Manager
Gridscale X is a software platform that paves the way for autonomous grid management. It is part of Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform that enables customers to accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster, and at scale. Gridscale X Flexibility Manager empowers operators to forecast potential grid congestion and proactively manage flexible resources. It complements traditional grid reinforcement efforts by unlocking existing network capacity and enhancing operational stability.
The software integrates with DSO systems to continuously monitor grid conditions and forecast potential overloads. When constraints are predicted, it identifies available flexibility options from distributed resources — such as electric vehicles, heat pumps, batteries, or distributed generation — and supports operators in selecting and activating the most effective measures via connected market or operator platforms to balance the grid.
By using the software, DSOs can increase grid capacity utilization by up to 20 percent and save up to 40 percent in grid investment costs by strategically leveraging flexibility.
Flexible management case study: Kärnten Netz (“KNG”)
With the rapid growth of distributed generation, the Austrian utility, KNG, is currently preparing to operate an increasingly complex and dynamic grid. By 2030, photovoltaic installed capacity in Carinthia (an Austrian state with 9,500 km2 and a population of 570,000 inhabitants) is expected to nearly double (+1.1 GW), creating new challenges of congestion and voltage stability, particularly in rural valley areas with long distribution lines prone to voltage violations.
At the same time, Austrian regulation is moving toward a market-based flexibility framework, requiring DSOs like KNG to explore new operational and digital capabilities. Anticipating this, KNG joined forces with Siemens to co-innovate a solution, culminating in the launch of Flexibility Manager.
Next phase of flexibility implementation
“We are facing a new and increasingly complex regulatory framework, combined with massive challenges in system operations as we transition to a cleaner energy future,” says Robert Schmaranz, Head of Operations at KNG.
“Collaborating with Siemens, we were able to address real network challenges while preparing for the upcoming market-based flexibility framework. The collaboration also gave us the opportunity to exchange experiences with other European DSOs, sharing best practices as we collectively shape the next phase of flexibility implementation.”
