The energy world is changing fast. We’ve moved from giant power plants at the center to solar panels on our roofs, and now to a system
where everyone can produce, share, and manage electricity. But keeping this new grid stable requires new innovative tools.
Today, we’ll talk about the technologies that quietly shape tomorrow’s energy.
Why Do We Need New Tools for the Energy System?
Europe is moving toward a common goal: building a decarbonized energy system that reduces greenhouse gas emissions sharply. Each country
sets its own targets in the Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are updated regularly under the
Paris Agreement.
So, to better understand why new tools are essential, we should first look at the background and the stages of transition that shaped today’s energy system.
The first stage of the transition to a more ecological energy system was
centralization. In the 20th century, large coal, nuclear, hydro, and gas power plants feeding electricity into
a vast distribution grid stood at the center. The logic was simple: one center powers everyone.
The second stage was
decentralization. By the end of the century, energy came from large plants as well as wind and solar farms,
rooftop PV systems, etc. Consumers grew more active too, choosing suppliers, buying green energy, joining cooperatives, or co-funding solar projects. The model shifted from a single hub to a dynamic network with many sources.
Today, we are entering the third stage:
managed decentralization. Distributed generation has become a significant part of the system, reshaping the
relationship between customers and the energy market. Owners of distributed energy resources are no longer just passive consumers. They are turning into active producers of energy and providers of energy services.
These prosumers can sell surplus electricity back to the grid, increasing the share of renewables and supporting energy system flexibility.
According to a study
by CE Delft, up to 83% of EU households could become prosumers by 2050.
Tools for a Controllable and Stable Energy System
For the energy system of the future to run without failures, we need new tools. It’s about a whole set of technologies that connect generation,
consumption, and digital infrastructure.
The first tool is
decentralized energy resources. Solar and wind farms, energy storage systems, and heat pumps are already part
of the energy ecosystem. Today’s consumers don’t just rely on their own generation. They also contribute to grid stability by selling surplus electricity or helping to balance the system.
In Switzerland, for example, solar installations have broken records in the past two years. Starting in early 2026,
new
legislation will introduce a legal framework for self-consumption associations (ZEV), where residents of a region join forces to optimize their collective use. At the same time, energy cooperatives
(LEG) are rapidly expanding, connecting producers and consumers of electricity.
The next tool is smart meters.
Digitalizing these devices is one of the key steps. Smart meters turn consumption into data that can be analyzed, forecast, and used for flexible market management. Europe has clear plans for mass adoption, and such devices are already becoming the norm.
Another crucial tool is
digital infrastructure. Data alone is of little value without a system for processing it. Many countries are
creating centralized platforms that collect information on generation, consumption, and distribution. Standardization is just as important. In Switzerland, for instance, the
SDAT-CH-Hub
ensures a unified approach to data exchange between different devices and platforms.
Artificial intelligence is also becoming a key player.
By analyzing large volumes of data, including weather patterns, AI improves the accuracy of generation and consumption forecasts. This is critical for balancing the grid: even in the case of accidents or outages, AI helps operators find solutions faster.
Another powerful tool is the
Digital Twin. These digital replicas allow us to model real-world objects or processes and test scenarios before
implementation. The approach is widely used in industry, construction, architecture, and urban planning.
In energy, Digital Twins make it possible to run through different scenarios for the grid: from connecting new solar plants to modeling
consumer behavior during peak hours. This helps identify risks, detect weak points, and even test system reactions to failures without endangering real users.
Finally, there is
blockchain. In this context, it can be the backbone for secure data exchange between active market participants,
from energy cooperatives to private households.
Together, these tools are shaping a new kind of energy system: one that is controllable, stable, open to innovation, and capable of withstanding
loads.
Challenges in Applying Technologies to the Energy Sector
As distributed energy resources expand and new players appear in the electricity market, new opportunities emerge. But so do new risks.
The first one is connected with
data protection. Information about consumption or generation is the private property of companies and households.
And whoever controls that information also holds the levers of influence over decisions. Without reliable data protection, any innovative infrastructure can quickly turn into a point of vulnerability.
In Switzerland, basic cybersecurity mechanisms are already in place. For example, smart meters must meet minimum legal requirements under
the FADP.
At the state level, rules also exist for storing and exchanging information.
But security is only part of the challenge. Another significant barrier is
data standardization. With new players, meters, platforms, and devices from dozens of manufacturers, integration
into a single system becomes increasingly complex. That’s why countries are creating their own standards; for example, Switzerland’s SDAT-CH-Hub has already been mentioned.
The third challenge is
user trust and engagement. Some people are eager to install solar panels or connect home batteries. However,
others are skeptical of innovations or simply lack the resources. Here, the state plays a critical role: it must create incentives and support mechanisms that allow a broad range of consumers to participate in the energy transition.
In short, the future of energy isn’t only about adding more energy resources. It’s also crucial to use innovative tools that connect
everything, like smart meters, storage, digital platforms, AI, etc. If we apply them wisely, with strong data protection and public trust, we can build a clean and sustainable energy system.
