ACER has published a position paper introducing output performance indicators to measure the performance of grid-enhancing technologies in electricity transmission.
Europe's energy transition is driving higher electricity demand and renewable generation, increasing pressure on Europe’s transmission networks. While grid expansion remains key, making better use of existing infrastructure through innovative operational practices, digitalisation and grid-enhancing technologies is equally important, as smart solutions of transmission system operators (TSOs) can often deliver additional capacity faster and at a lower cost.
Why transmission output performance indicators matter
EU legislation already requires national regulators to monitor the development of smart electricity grids. However, few EU countries currently systematically measure how grid-enhancing technologies perform in practice.
This ACER work (requested at the June 2025 Copenhagen Infrastructure Forum) supports a more consistent EU approach to assessing smart-grid performance at transmission level and complements parallel work on distribution grids by the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER).
What does ACER recommend?
ACER proposes three output indicators for regulators to assess grid-enhancing technologies in transmission grids:
- performance of existing transmission assets in real-time system operations;
- performance of operational security; and
- grid expansion performance.
These indicators aim to capture actual grid capacity gains, operational-security benefits and cost-efficient alternatives to conventional grid expansion.
Beyond the three proposed output indicators, the paper also highlights complementary areas of monitoring that can enhance regulatory insight.
Next steps
ACER recommends a phased, learning-oriented implementation, with a two- to three-year transition period to allow regulators to test, refine and apply the indicators consistently across Europe.
