In February 2026, the COPPER project participated in the 2nd Future Grid Innovation Summit, hosted by the consortium partner, E.DSO. The summit served as a high-level forum for industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to discuss the critical role of distribution grids as the backbone of the green transition.
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Source: Bax Innovation
A shared vision for our future energy system
The event opened with a call for synergy. As the energy landscape shifts, the conversation is moving beyond traditional infrastructure toward a system that leverages digitalization and flexibility to ensure a fair and affordable energy transition. A key takeaway from the discussions, as presented by the E.DSO Chair, was that the future of the grid depends on the harmony of "cables and flexibility."
Innovation at the Heart of the Transition
From the potential of Artificial Intelligence to the importance of data sharing and digitalization, the summit was a showcase of the tools that will define the next decade.
Key themes included:
Strategic Investment: The focus on scaling up funding for cross-border and local grid resilience to ensure no resident is left behind.
Policy Alignment: The importance of a unified "Multi-Level Governance" approach to harmonize energy policy across member states.
Digital Excellence: Accelerating the roll-out of smart technologies to empower consumers and optimize local energy flows.
Source: Bax Innovation
Spreading the COPPER message
We took the opportunity to showcase the emerging concept of Local Energy Action Plans (LEAPs). These plans act as a strategic bridge, translating high-level EU legislation into workable, local implementations. The summit reinforced that while the European Grids Package provides the framework, it is the local level, where the grid meets the citizen, that will determine our success.
Additionally, we took the opportunity to build the bridge between LEAPs and the emerging concept of the City-Grid Interface, which will be further clarified in an upcoming white paper by E.DSO. As cities become the frontlines of the energy transition, the need for deep collaboration between municipalities and DSOs has never been more urgent.
Looking Ahead
The summit was a reminder that the energy transition is not just a technological challenge, but a collaborative one. By breaking down silos and fostering dialogue between grid operators, cities, and innovators, we are building an infrastructure that is not only "smart" but also inclusive.