About the Lighthouse Project
Quick access to key ISGAN Lighthouse Project outcomes:
The ISGAN Lighthouse Project on Long-Term Planning and Implementation of Smart Distribution Grids is a global initiative that supports the transition to smarter, more resilient electricity distribution systems. These systems are essential for achieving clean energy objectives and for integrating an increasing proportion of renewable energy sources.
Smart distribution grids evolve in response to political, economic, technological, and social dynamics, as well as the interplay of actors with diverse roles and interests, ranging from distribution system operators and municipalities to regulators, technology providers, and end users. However, planning and implementation often occur in isolation, in uncertain conditions, and within governance frameworks that are slow to adapt.
To address these challenges, the Lighthouse Project promotes international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and system innovation. It brings together ISGAN members and other stakeholders to co-create practical insights and forward-looking approaches to long-term distribution grid planning and implementation.
This initiative pools resources and expertise from all ISGAN Working Groups, encouraging new collaborations across our global network and exploring novel ways of working together. It also aims to strengthen engagement and outreach with energy sector stakeholders worldwide, promoting international knowledge sharing, innovation, and action to realise smart grids.
The Lighthouse Project is about more than just new technologies, tools, and processes; it also aims to strengthen the collaborative and strategic capacity that supports the long-term transformation of energy systems. It provides a platform for shared learning, systems thinking, and global action by connecting experiences across borders, sectors, and disciplines.
Outcomes to date (Lighthouse Project Phase 1)
- A new framework and curated knowledge to understand, explore, and innovate in the long-term planning and implementation of smart distribution grids. The framework outlines the key phases, essential enabling conditions, and roles of the key actor groups. This is explained in a dedicated knowledge resource, the ISGAN Knowledge Hub.
- A Policy Brief presented at the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM15, Brazil, October 2024) highlights the importance of low- and medium-voltage distribution grids for the energy transition and urges policymakers to address the key challenges and uncertainties facing distribution grid actors in the long-term planning and implementation of the grids for the future.
- Collaborative activities include:
- A Knowledge Sharing Process (KSP) spanning six workshops and auxiliary activities, which brings together ISGAN experts and external stakeholders to exchange insights and co-create solutions
- A Global Workshop Series comprising dedicated online events focused on five world regions
- A Global Survey engaging key actor groups to gather input for knowledge development on the Lighthouse theme.
Ongoing work (Lighthouse Project Phase 2)
Building on the insights and outcomes of the first phase, the second phase (2025–2026) comprises several key activities, including:
- A Knowledge Sharing Process (KSP), which focuses on improving coordination and collaboration between the key actors involved in complex distribution grid planning and implementation processes. Taking a holistic approach to actor ecosystems, the project aims to strengthen coordination and institutional capacity in diverse national and regional contexts. The KSP currently involves ISGAN experts from 13 countries spanning 4 continents.
- The development of a Casebook showcasing pioneering global examples of innovation in the long-term planning and implementation of smart distribution grids from ISGAN member countries.
- A Virtual Learning Webinar Series led by ISGAN Working Group experts exploring key aspects of the long-term planning and implementation of smart distribution grids, with the help of the new framework developed in Phase 1 of the Lighthouse Project.
- Workshops with key actor groups, including distribution system operators and grid owners, local and regional governments, and national policymakers and regulators, to the explore challenges and opportunities of advancing grid planning processes.
- Deep-dive activities by Working Groups on key technologies and aspects relevant to the Lighthouse Project theme.
- Collaboration with other international organisations and workstreams to share and co-create knowledge.
These activities aim to deliver a set of high-impact knowledge products to be launched in 2026 alongside the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM17).
If you would like more information about the Lighthouse Project, please contact Helena Lindquist, the project manager.
