EDF International Networks

Looking Back at CIGRE 2026

On August 25, our colleague Mathieu Carluer, Head of Europe and North America, had the pleasure of participating in CIGRE and the Grids in Transition Europe event, which brought together leading energy experts and industry stakeholders to discuss the future of electricity networks across Europe.

On this occasion, Mathieu shared our experience and insights on a key topic of the energy transition: how to leverage energy storage, smart grids, and flexibility mechanisms to enhance power system reliability, through the evolving role of Distribution System Operators (DSOs), and particularly the transformation of distribution network control rooms.

As European power systems continue to integrate increasing shares of renewable energy, the challenges of resilience, security, and operational performance are becoming more strategic than ever. The evolution of control rooms is a critical enabler for addressing these challenges and supporting the ongoing transformation of electricity networks.

👏 A big thank you to the organizers and participants for the quality of the discussions and exchanges on the solutions that will shape the grids of tomorrow.

🌎 Accelerating the Digitalization of El Salvador’s Power Sector: A Strong Ambition Shared Across the Entire Energy Ecosystem

EDF International Networks is supporting the Banque Interaméricaine de Développement (IDB) and Salvadoran institutions in developing a roadmap for the transformation of the country’s power sector.

🔹 During a week of site visits and discussions with key stakeholders across the electricity sector, our teams engaged with power producers, distribution companies, network operators, market participants, and public institutions.

This immersive experience provided valuable insight into a wide range of initiatives related to grid digitalization, control centers, smart metering, industrial data management, and the integration of renewable energy sources.
Building on these exchanges, we will contribute to the development of a sector assessment, strategic recommendations, and a digitalization roadmap designed to support the ambitions of both the Salvadoran government and the IDB.

😊 A sincere thank you to the IDB and the Ministry of Energy, Hydrocarbons and Mines of El Salvador for their warm welcome and the quality of the discussions throughout the mission.
Xavier Collar , Fatima Ezzahra Martaj, Hugo Castaño Balereau, Alexandre Michel, Eder Antonio Guillén Ramírez

🌍 Our mission in Ethiopia marks the launch of a collaboration with Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) to support the transformation of its grid operations and prepare for the deployment of its future SCADA system.

🔹 Drawing on our expertise in control room operations, operational excellence, and utility transformation, this first phase aims to help structure the operations domain, strengthen procedures and operating frameworks, and lay the foundations for the development of future control room operators.

It also provided an opportunity to review the mini-SCADA systems in Adama and Hawassa, helping identify priorities to enhance monitoring and operational control capabilities.

🔹 A dense and rewarding field mission that reflects our commitment to helping power utilities successfully navigate organizational, operational, and technological transformations.
 
😊 A sincere thank you to the EEU teams for their trust, warm welcome, and the quality of our exchanges throughout this first phase.
Fatima Ezzahra Martaj, Julien Schulze, Mihail Zavorotnii, Abel LEMOS, Ferid Abduselam, Ms.Wongelawit Mekuannent

🌍 Smart Grids: Building Tomorrow’s Distribution Network Today

Back from Montenegro, where we officially launched the FEXTE project alongside AFD – Agence Française de Développement and Crnogorski elektrodistributivni sistem (CEDIS)

🔹 This first mission marks the beginning of a strategic initiative: the development of CEDIS’ Smart Grid roadmap, aimed at identifying the solutions needed to improve network performance and address key challenges such as quality of supply (SAIDI/SAIFI), renewable energy integration, cybersecurity, and customer satisfaction.

😊 During this first week, we conducted an initial assessment of CEDIS’ Smart Grid maturity through site visits, including substations and the dispatching center, as well as workshops and discussions with the various business teams.

Before defining the solutions of tomorrow, it is essential to understand the operational realities of today. This approach enables the development of pragmatic, ambitious, and value-driven roadmaps that support a successful and sustainable grid transformation.

Many thanks to the CEDIS and AFD teams for their trust and collaboration. 👏
Kenny GUILLOUCHE, Maxime Gillaux, Yassine EL BAZ, Admir PRELIC , Victoria Romano, Vladimir Ivanovic, Jagos Pupovic, Nemanja Vukčević