Actors in a Forward-Looking Planning
Process
Long-term planning and implementation of smart distribution grids involves a large number of actors with complementary roles and responsibilities. It can be viewed as a complex system with multiple actor interdependencies and context-specific factors that influence how the grid evolves over time.
The actor landscape is very diverse and grid development requires a wide range of competences. At a high level, we can distinguish on the one hand between policy makers at various levels who have an important responsibility to provide the enabling preconditions for grid modernization generally at country or regional level, and grid planners and operators on the other hand, who are involved in the concrete development of specific distribution grids at local and regional level. The resources in the ISGAN Knowledge Hub is currently organized according to this high-level differentiation between policy makers and grid planners.
Policy Makers
“Policy makers” is a broad term. In this context, it includes actors involved in shaping and supporting the long-term planning and implementation of smart distribution grids across multiple system levels.
Policy makers hold the key to forward-looking and efficient grid planning processes, both through their role in shaping some of the enabling Framework Conditions, such as governance structures and regulatory frameworks, and through their involvement in the grid planning process itself, particularly in the first two phases: Foresight and Strategic Decision-Making.
Here we make a broad distinction between energy policy makers operating at two key levels:
Energy Policy Makers and Regulators
These actors create the policy and regulatory environment for distribution grid planning at the national/federal or regional level.
Key responsibilities:
Policy Development: Define long-term energy strategies and regulatory frameworks.
Strategic Oversight: Ensure grid development aligns with goals such as energy security, affordability, and climate neutrality.
Regulatory Compliance: Oversee adherence to energy laws and frameworks.
Risk & Impact Regulation: Evaluate grid investments in terms of market stability, consumer protection, and environmental impact.
Coordination: Ensure alignment between policy, regulation, and grid planning practices.
Data & Knowledge Infrastructure: Support interoperable data standards and platforms to enhance transparency and foresight.
Local and Regional Governments
These actors are responsible for regional and local planning and ensure that energy and grid planning align with broader territorial and societal objectives.
Key responsibilities:
- Policy Integration: Embed energy strategies within regional development frameworks (e.g., housing, mobility, and climate adaptation).
- Strategic Foresight: Offer insights on local trends, opportunities, and constraints.
- Regulatory Alignment: Ensure local/regional regulations support long-term grid plans.
- Collaboration: Work with DSOs, grid owners, and national agencies to ensure consistency across planning levels.
- Public Engagement: Facilitate local participation and anchor projects in community needs.
Grid Planners
“Grid planners” refers to both technical and executive roles responsible for the long-term planning and implementation of smart distribution grids. These roles are found within Distribution System Operators (DSOs) or utilities, and public or private grid ownership entities.
Grid planners are essential for translating policy and strategic decisions into actionable infrastructure investments. Their work is particularly critical in the final three planning phases: Long-Term Planning, Assessment & Decision-Making, and Implementation.
We highlight three main actor types:
DSO/Utility Chief Technical Officer (CTO)
The CTO leads the technical dimension of grid planning, ensuring system integrity and reliability, innovation, and operational performance.
Key responsibilities:
Technical Planning: Oversee grid expansion and modernization efforts, including the integration of renewable energy and smart technologies.
Implementation Oversight: Ensure that grid projects meet technical standards, timelines, and budgets.
Monitoring & Adaptation: Continuously assess grid performance and implement necessary adjustments.
Collaboration: Work with other stakeholders to align technical priorities with broader strategic and policy goals.
Data Infrastructure: Manage technical data to support knowledge-sharing across stakeholders.
DSO/Utility Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The CEO sets the strategic direction for the utility, aligning grid development with financial sustainability and public policy goals.
Key responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership: Define long-term priorities that balance financial performance with regulatory compliance and sustainability.
Decision Making: Authorize key investments, partnerships, and innovation initiatives.
Risk Management: Anticipate and mitigate financial, operational, and regulatory risks in grid development.
Collaboration: Coordinate internal teams and external stakeholders to implement cohesive strategies.
Governance Compliance: Ensure strategic decisions align with legal and regulatory frameworks.
Grid Owners
Grid owners, as public and/or private legal owners of the infrastructure assets, hold responsibilities for long-term strategic grid infrastructure, focusing on long-term viability while balancing financial objectives with societal goals.
Key responsibilities:
Investment Oversight: Provide funding for long-term grid development and modernization.
Asset Management: Maintain and manage grid assets for optimal performance.
Risk and Impact Assessment: Evaluate risks, including environmental and social impacts of grid investments.
Governance & Compliance: Fulfill regulatory obligations and uphold ownership responsibilities, including those towards grid operators.
Collaboration: Align investment strategies with broader policy goals in partnership with other key grid actors.
Other Important Energy Sector Actors
As energy systems grow more complex and interconnected, long-term planning must adopt a more proactive approach – actively involving a broader set of actors from the outset who contribute vital expertise, insights, and services across all phases of grid development.
Key actor groups include:
Transmission System Planners: Ensure coordination between transmission and distribution levels.
Energy Suppliers: Provide services at the customer interface and shape demand dynamics.
Intermediary Actors: Aggregators, platform providers, and service coordinators.
Active & Passive Grid Users: Including prosumers, energy communities, and storage operators.
Industry & Solution Providers: Innovators offering technology and system solutions.
Research & Innovation Actors: Supply knowledge, tools, and methods to guide planning.
