Papers by David Steenmeijer
ETIP SNET, 2025
Europe's energy system is undergoing a profound transformation towards decarbonisation, digitalis... more Europe's energy system is undergoing a profound transformation towards decarbonisation, digitalisation, and decentralisation, making the modernisation and intelligent operation of electricity grids (smart grids) fundamental. This strategic position paper, developed by the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Smart Networks for Energy Transition (ETIP SNET), explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI) within this context.
AI and GenAI offer significant opportunities to enhance European smart grid efficiency, reliability, flexibility, and resilience. Key benefits include optimised grid operations, improved forecasting for variable renewable energy sources (RES), predictive asset maintenance, facilitation of active consumer participation and demand-side flexibility, and bolstered cybersecurity. GenAI adds further value through capabilities like synthetic data generation to address data scarcity and sophisticated decision support.
However, realising this potential requires navigating substantial challenges. These include ensuring data availability, quality, and governance, particularly concerning privacy (GDPR) and the establishment of common data spaces; achieving harmonisation of regulations across Member States, notably the interpretation and implementation of the EU AI Act for the energy sector; addressing the significant skills gap in both AI and energy domains; upgrading digital infrastructure (including High-Performance Computing and edge computing); closing standardisation gaps to ensure interoperability; and cultivating trust and acceptance among operators, consumers, and regulators regarding AI's deployment in critical infrastructure.
Based on extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement, this paper presents a comprehensive, phased roadmap (Short-Term: 0-2 years, Medium-Term: 2-5 years, Long-Term: 5+ years) guiding the integration of AI and GenAI. The roadmap outlines actionable steps across key areas: Governance & Regulation, Data & Infrastructure, Technology & R&D, Collaboration & Skills, and Standards & Interoperability. It progresses from building foundational readiness (e.g., regulatory clarity, data access, pilots, skills) through scaling proven concepts and harmonising approaches, towards achieving full, optimised integration and establishing European leadership.
Success demands a concerted, collaborative effort involving policymakers, regulators, energy companies, technology developers, academia, and citizens. By addressing the identified gaps and implementing the proposed recommendations, Europe can responsibly unlock the full potential of AI and GenAI, positioning itself as a global leader in developing trustworthy, human-centric AI for a smarter, cleaner, more secure, and competitive energy future, thereby contributing significantly to the European Green Deal, Clean Industrial Deal, and Digital Decade objectives.
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Papers by David Steenmeijer
AI and GenAI offer significant opportunities to enhance European smart grid efficiency, reliability, flexibility, and resilience. Key benefits include optimised grid operations, improved forecasting for variable renewable energy sources (RES), predictive asset maintenance, facilitation of active consumer participation and demand-side flexibility, and bolstered cybersecurity. GenAI adds further value through capabilities like synthetic data generation to address data scarcity and sophisticated decision support.
However, realising this potential requires navigating substantial challenges. These include ensuring data availability, quality, and governance, particularly concerning privacy (GDPR) and the establishment of common data spaces; achieving harmonisation of regulations across Member States, notably the interpretation and implementation of the EU AI Act for the energy sector; addressing the significant skills gap in both AI and energy domains; upgrading digital infrastructure (including High-Performance Computing and edge computing); closing standardisation gaps to ensure interoperability; and cultivating trust and acceptance among operators, consumers, and regulators regarding AI's deployment in critical infrastructure.
Based on extensive analysis and stakeholder engagement, this paper presents a comprehensive, phased roadmap (Short-Term: 0-2 years, Medium-Term: 2-5 years, Long-Term: 5+ years) guiding the integration of AI and GenAI. The roadmap outlines actionable steps across key areas: Governance & Regulation, Data & Infrastructure, Technology & R&D, Collaboration & Skills, and Standards & Interoperability. It progresses from building foundational readiness (e.g., regulatory clarity, data access, pilots, skills) through scaling proven concepts and harmonising approaches, towards achieving full, optimised integration and establishing European leadership.
Success demands a concerted, collaborative effort involving policymakers, regulators, energy companies, technology developers, academia, and citizens. By addressing the identified gaps and implementing the proposed recommendations, Europe can responsibly unlock the full potential of AI and GenAI, positioning itself as a global leader in developing trustworthy, human-centric AI for a smarter, cleaner, more secure, and competitive energy future, thereby contributing significantly to the European Green Deal, Clean Industrial Deal, and Digital Decade objectives.