Fostering grid data exchange and reuse for AI models: yes, but how?

This online debate will offer the opportunity to look into the legislative proposal and to discuss with representatives of the involved actors the possible options that can be adopted to address the above-mentioned implementing aspects.

The introduction of a new Article 18a in the Electricity Market Regulation, as recently proposed by the European Commission, aims to foster the digitalisation of the electricity system and to limit the potential cost escalation due to the massive infrastructure build-up associated with the integration of renewable energy sources and the electrification of final uses.

The new article foresees, among other measures, the establishment of a voluntary and secure framework for grid data exchange and the reuse of those data for the development, testing, integration and deployment of state-of-the-art technologies that support the efficient and safe operation of the grid. Artificial Intelligence Foundation Models (AI FMs) for electricity grids, which are at the centre of initiatives such as AI.grids, are an example of those technologies.

The new article proposed by the Commission further specifies a series of obligations for the involved transmission and distribution system operators; it also assigns to the ENTSO for Electricity and the EU DSO Entity the duty to define several implementation aspects. Finally, the Commission is empowered by another provision introduced by the legislative proposal – paragraph 5b in Article 61 – to establish, by means of implementing acts, detailed requirements to enable the lawful, secure and controlled reuse of the exchanged energy grid data.

Provided that the legislative proposal is adopted, several implementing aspects will have to be addressed and properly clarified. Among them, there are fundamental questions such as:

1)     Who participates in the establishment of the grid data exchange framework?

2)     Who pays for the costs associated with the framework and the development of the AI FMs?

3)     Who owns the resulting AI FMs and their output?

4)     Who bears responsibility when harm results from the use of those models? and

5)     Which elements are to be considered when designing the implementing acts under Article 61(5b)?

The FSR has recently looked into these implementing aspects and published a Policy Paper where they are explored, and initial answers to those questions are provided.

This online debate will offer the opportunity to look into the legislative proposal and to discuss the various options available, together with the actors that will be expected to develop them and the regulators that will have to supervise the actions of electricity system operators.

Programme

Introduction

Alberto Pototschnig and Nicolò Rossetto (FSR)

Presentations

Legislative proposal: Andries de Brouwer (EC)

Implementing aspects: Sofia Nicolai and Alessandra Porcari (FSR)

Panel debate

Chair: Lucila de Almeida (FSR)

Speakers:

·      Antony Zegers (ENTSO-E)

·      EU DSO Entity (TBC)

·      Christine Materazzi-Wagner (e-Control)

·      Representative of the tech sector (TBC)

Discussion with the panellists

Q&A and closing remarks: Mark van Stiphout (EC)