RSE has completed the task of contributing to and supporting the development of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Roadmap 2024–2034 of ENTSO-E (European Network of Transmission System Operator for Electricity), the European association of national transmission system operators (TSOs).
This important strategic document, which aims to outline the innovation needs of European TSOs for the next decade to enable the ongoing energy transition, is addressed to all actors involved in research and innovation for the electricity sector.

The roadmap is updated by ENTSO-E every four years at the specific request of the European community and in accordance with article 30(1)(i) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943; RSE was also mandated to contribute to the preparation of the previous roadmap 2020-2030, which was published in October 2020.

The 2024-2034 Roadmap is structured around three “Clusters”, and each has two “Missions” within which the milestones to be developed by TSOs, in order to achieve next decade goals, are indicated in temporal progression.

The cluster “Power Grid: backbone for the energy system” focuses on innovation themes related to the reinforcement of electricity transmission networks and the development of components, tools and approaches for their optimised used, in order to strengthen the resilience, efficiency and sustainability of European electricity grids.

The cluster “Digitalised power systems” aims to improve the management of hybrid AC/DC power grids through digitalisation, by the development of innovative solutions for grid control and for ensuring interoperability, stability and security.

Finally, the cluster “One-System of integrated systems” aims to improve the flexibility of the electricity system through innovative methodologies and market-based instruments, and to effectively exploit the integration between the electricity system and energy-related sectors (transport, residential, industry, services, etc.) that are intrinsically linked to the energy system.

The drafting of the Roadmap, which started at the end of 2023, saw the full involvement of Luciano Martini, Mattia Cabiati and Omar Pasqualotto (from TTD department), as well as the following RSE colleagues as experts in the various topics covered in the document: Andrea Cazzaniga, Angelo L’Abbate, Carlo Tornelli, Diego Cirio, Giovanna Dondossola, Giovanni Pirovano, Giuseppe Mauri, Laura Serri, Luigi Mazzocchi, Michele Benini, Sara Salamone.

RSE’s activities was initially characterised by an analysis of all relevant policy documents published by the European Commission and international organisations, such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), on the challenging climate goals, the technology growth trends and the importance of continuous reinforcement of the electricity grid, in order to define new innovation needs and how research topics have evolved over the years.

After this initial phase, RSE developed a series of proposals on the topics, activities and related milestones, which were presented and discussed with ENTSO-E representatives and the TSOs involved in the various working groups, thanks to a very intensive and continuous interaction. This activity made possible to reorganise the clusters and missions of the Roadmap and to identify new research milestones and respective time horizons. RSE, with the valuable support of experts from all departments, drafted a high-level description of the more than 90 milestones identified.

The RDI Roadmap 2024-2034 has been published by ENTSO-E and is available at the following link.

The document, which will be valid for the next four years, will be followed by the publication of the Implementation Plan, which will represent the practical implementation of the identified milestones through the development of research projects by the various TSOs, together with their industrial and research partners at national and European level.