On September 30, 2025, this year’s fall meeting of the Smart Grids Austria Technology Platform (TP SGA) took place in Vienna. Representatives from research, industry, energy supply, and administration came together to discuss current developments in data models, cybersecurity, and framework conditions in the smart grid environment.
After the welcome and introduction to the program, a presentation by E-Control opened the substantive part of the event. It took a look at current regulatory developments, new requirements for data interfaces, and future market mechanisms in the context of smart energy grids.
The topic block “From Data to Data Models” showed how data can be used in a variety of ways in the energy sector – from satellite data for grid analysis to the transfer of test bed findings into practice to the optimization of grid planning with smart meter data. In conclusion, it became clear that integrated data platforms and digital interfaces play a central role in a networked, intelligent energy system.
During the TP SGA general meeting, the activities of the past year were reviewed and changes within the platform were voted on. In addition, the chair was elected and the strategic priorities for the coming months were discussed.
In the afternoon, the focus was on the framework conditions for data models and cybersecurity in the smart grid. The discussion centered on the impact of current European regulations such as NIS2, the Data Act, and EPBD on the energy industry and their significance for secure data exchange. In addition to legal requirements, technical challenges were also highlighted – from securing operational technologies (OT) to linking NIS and CRA requirements to cyber risks in the course of PV expansion. Finally, the crucial importance of cybersecurity and remote controllability for the resilience of modern energy systems was emphasized.
In the concluding panel discussion, representatives from research, industry, and administration came together to discuss the future topics of the smart grid. The subsequent panel discussion focused in particular on the question of what concrete steps are necessary to make data models even more usable in practice while at the same time ensuring security in the energy system.
The event concluded with the “Bring your Student” poster session, where students presented their research work and engaged in conversation with participants during the subsequent networking session. This provided an opportunity to deepen the impressions gained during the day and initiate new collaborations.
The 2025 fall meeting once again demonstrated the importance of continuous exchange between all players in the energy system—especially in times of increasing digitalization, networking, and regulatory dynamics. The Smart Grids Austria technology platform remains a central and important hub for knowledge transfer, innovation, and cooperation in the field of smart energy grids.